Project 3: Drawings

Floor Plan + Site Plan + Section



The gallery is solidly grounded and there is a gradual lightening and opening up to the sky.
Pillars reach up from the ground, reflecting the artwork.

1:50 of large, flexible gallery room, and interior of myseterious gallery space and ramp.


The large gallery room at the back is open to the courtyard and contrasts with the dark gallery space towards the street. A long and mysterious corridor and ramp takes the pedestrian away from the street and into the fantasy world of the gallery.

Project 3: Model

Exteriors

Facade keeps existing profile, but is now in a bold black.

Separation of the galleries at the front with private apartment at back. Contrasting colours of black and white announces the courtyard and also marks the separation of public and private. The galleries are mostly black, whilst the apartment has white interior walls.

Top right image shows the sense of 'floating' of the 2nd floor gallery which contrasts with the grounded nature of the bottom gallery.

Gallery space at the back (bottom left and right) to act as flexible space, used in conjunction with the courtyard, for functions and display of art. It is separated from the courtyard by sliding glass doors.

One of the aims was to create a gallery space with a sense of groundedness contrasting with a sense of being 'above' and close to the sky. The idea of growth and branching was also explored in both plan and section.

A central circulation space (bottom right) the result of design refinement from feedback, making the spaces more efficient and ordered. The stairwell is open towards the top level to mark the beginning of the private spaces. It is closed for the public spaces as the idea is to create a sense of being in a 'different' world.

Project 3: Sketches and design development

From the beginning, the idea was to create an art gallery unique to the type of art being sold, and would be reflective of this art. A mysterious and dark gallery space was proposed, with nooks and crannies to displace the art. Apartment and living space was to be separated from the gallery.

My first designs did not incorporate the main ideas throughout the whole building (ideas needed to be turned up, to turn up the experience), was not well ordered, had inefficient circulation spaces, and did not make good use of the courtyard, which was put on the 2nd floor.

After consultation with Marcus, the design was redeveloped to impose a sense of order, to enhance the experience, to make better use of an outdoor courtyard, and to improve circulation.

Project 3 - Artists & precedent study

The art of Laurence Yang, Chris Trueman, and Matt Johnson were explored as examples of 'new' art which would be made and sold at the gallery. The work of Laurence Yang was of particular interest to me, and I would use his art as the inspiration for the gallery, and the gallery will sell his unique style of street art.



Key characteristics of the paintings to inspire architecture:

-Black marker is used with watercolour, creating a great contrast within the artworks.
-Many of the paintings are strongly grounded, in contrast with an open sky.
-The paintings depict fantasy realms, and evoke a mysterious atmosphere.
-An idea of branching, and creating order out of chaos.


Stephen Taylor Architects' work at Charlotte Road, Hoxton, was a useful precedent study of an urban infill, retail, office, and living unit.

The precendent helped me to decide on, and execute a gradual separation of the private apartment with the public galleries, with a semi-public workshop, store-room and office mediating the public and private.

Project 3: Art Gallery, Shop/House - Site

Site: 256 King St, Newtown, Sydney

The site is located 2 blocks north of Newtown Train Station, opposite Church St. It is a busy area of King St, with many cafes and 'designer' shops nearby selling unique goods. It also faces an intersection, making it more visible to vehicular traffic. As such, the site was chosen as being suitable for a small contemporary art gallery.

The site is located adjacent St George Bank and Eat Me Sushi (left image). The facade of the existing building was influential in my design, as it fit in well with its surroundings whilst suggesting a sense of being 'new'. Inspiration was also taken from opposite the street, the Holy Sheet! store (right image) and Pleasure Chest, which had bold, black facades which stood out from the streetscape and announces the building loudly to the street.

Collages of the facades of the nearby buildings (top-existing, bottom-new). The lower image is with the proposed gallery inserted. The form and dimensions of the new building is similar to the existing building, with the main difference being it black, to stand out, and only one small display window to the street, to give the gallery a mysterious character.