The two main focal points for the final design rested upon Herzog de Meuron's
House for a New Media Collector, and my developed theory,
"The sprawling nature of true architecture will always be controversial, a contrast between the intimidating and the vibrant".
The essence of the main floor-plan is a simplified version of Meuron's, while the side elevation follows more to my own interpretation from the draft presentation. Each central building flows onto the next, sharing curvature and resonance with each iteration. Similarly, the lecture theatre can be walked over as well as through, enabling that sense of a singular flow of landscape. The main flooring is a firm grass base to reinforce the rolling landscape, with bursts of revolving textures to symbolise the rotational nature of the circulation of the bridge.
As a lecture hall, it must have both the capability to allow students to absorb the exterior from within while also blocking the excess light when necessary (i.e. when projectors are in use). Hence, by creating a shutter effect along the window, both can be achieved simultaneously. The flooring changes from the rotational texture outside to a balance of calmer, reaching tendrils that don't steal the attention away from the topic of the lectures. Seating is curved to face the lecturer and follows the curvature like the rest of the form work.
The gallery must be a shared space between both the school of Architecture and that of the dramatic arts. As such, the sails, while sharing a curve when side by side, can be moved so that either side can be isolated for specific needs such as presentations or recitals. This also serves to allow varying degrees of vibrant light to enhance the work showcased within due to the perforated portion of the sail.
The studios and workshops are placed so that they constantly have a view of the exterior through a floor to roof window, not holed up away from influences to their work. Kept to one side of the building, it also helps to positively isolate students where they are able to hone their skills more precisely.
All supporting poles were developed from a single tangential fluid line that splits at the ends. Under the bridge, traffic partakes in the twisting texture, intensifying the relationship between the above and below. The bowing of the connecting forms above may be intimidating, but the gentle sloping reduce this into a smooth journey through more than just a simple flat roof or arch.
While an overall serene draping building, it can be broken down into its components when necessary. The sprawling nature is brought in by the various outstretched limbs of the bridge allowing circulation across, while the contrasting element designs are elegantly brought together by the vibrancy of their geometry. In this way, the intention of sprawling architecture are found both in the metaphorical as well as the mathematical and structural.
