Thursday, April 7, 2011

Brainstorming#1

Current library facilities although are available, but is insufficient to meet the demand, our library design will specially cater to meet the need of this group of people


- Space provider


- Digitalize theme.


- Research based spaces

- Workshops

- Studios

- Personalize research data/collection storage

- Study spaces


- Free space to rent out to people

- Movie and photo shooting studios

- Music recording/ editing work spaces

- Lecture

- Research groups

- Music concerts

...


- Personalized spaces


- Interactive surfaces (walls, floor table tops, chair etc.)


- Synchronization with other personal devices


- Dynamic library - Where user’s not only borrow information/media from the source, but add their own.

Key findings& insights

2 interesting findings
- Current library facilities are not enough to cover the needs of the residences of the area. (young rich professionals/students)
- Geographical location of the site is in the middle of the CBD, residential and shopping district. Cultural center located near the site.

Insights
- User/locals are young, trendy and willing to spend.
- The current libraries offer spaces for these professionals but because they cater for a general public, the space offered specially for these is insufficient. Since the majority of the residences living in this area require a more specialized space for them to use/work in, we need to design an area that is able to meet the needs of this group of user and a space for them to collaborate and interact.

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

HOWARD SMITH WHARVES - CONTEXTUAL INFO



Looking East
Looking West


Ge

Geographical


- Situated in the middle of the CBD, retail and night life commercial and residential.

- Cultural center located nearby.

- Residential district is one of the most expensive in the area.

- Residences mainly are young professionals working in CBD area.

- Trendy and expensive uptown district are mainly catered for them.


Flooding


- During the Jan flood, residences have approximately a day to evacuate and prepare themselves for the flood.

- Mobile providers and media channels broadcasted the evacuation messages to warn people

- Power lines and communication cables were down for more than 3 days.

- Only form of communication was the emergency broadcast which wasn’t that helpful either

- After the flooding, people helped to clean up the debris

- Toxic water that cause infection to cuts and bruises was a problem

- Mosquitos

- Damaged structures

- Food and water shortages

- No communication


Current library


- Cater for the general public (state libraries)

- University students normally use it during weekdays for studying

- Families mainly go on weekends (parents bring children)

- Young adults visit them after working hours

- Community activities are conducted in the libraries

- Workshops

- Art and craft

- Book clubs

- Reading classes

- Seminars

- Lectures

- Art display

- Study spaces

- Children area. Includes children books and toys.

- Spaces for rent