Experimentation - The Capsule

SKETCH DESIGN

Single pod: 1 person use. (affordable and short stay - 9hr capsule 1 night max)

Basic necessities met (sleep and clean) modular form. The core stair system provides most functions.

Double Pod: 1 person or 2 person use. (more $ and longer stay - 2 nights max)

Traditional method of more space = bigger cost. More space = longer the stay. More needs are met (sleep, eat, clean, rest) - the stair systems provide most functions (clean in one and eat in other).

Stacking structure is created as seen below- creating a structurally sound form. Things to consider are services and perhaps magnetic frame to strengthen stacking formation. Do the connected frameworks allow services to join??

Precedent: The Habitable Polyhedron.

The habitable polyhedron is a great example of the "flatpack" "unfold" concept I want to bring into my pod design. Although this design is not a modular, flatpack entity, I like the concept of a pod that can adapt and be unpacked, or folded into form. The cut-out 2d image shown below is a great example to this idea of "build your own" pod - which is quite neat!!

Inspiration to guide me in direction.

Some images that gave inspiration to me lately. I've been struggling with how to approach this polyhedra stacking design concept. Essentially this idea gives many possibilities for spatial connections, and adaptive spaces. However, my initial concept was to have a series of irregular shapes that can stack onto one another creating a weird and parasitic form (like the image below). However, I think I need to approach this from the individual pod shape. Irregular shapes can create difficulties with circulation, whereas a series of consistent forms have the potential to be adaptive and "plug in" to one another more easily. There are two ways of looking at this (and I think this has been my problem). There is the overall form, and there is the individual pod. I need to focus on detail and intricacies of the pod to create the form. 

The overall form:

The individual Pod:

SU experimentation

SU experimentation: I attempted to play around with randomised geometric forms that could stack into one another. My mission was to, as seen in the image above, create a rectangular entity (the laneway) and chip away at it, piece by piece. Creating open spaces - and leaving frames for accommodation, fames for lower ground retail spaces, etc. 

EXPLORATION: Voronoi

Looking at Voronoi froms - suggestion made by my tutor Ruwan. After showing my site analysis and exploration of a form to "fill" the laneway space  during the tutorial (previous post). My aim is to enhance the laneway vibe - perhaps a space for connection and gathering? Ruwan suggested I not worry too much about form but think about the positive and negative space, explore parasitic entities that encapsulate the space. I need to discover my reason for form. In a way I find Voronoi forms quite organic in its approach - not something I could imagine IKEA going into... I feel IKEA has a more systematic (and perhaps replicative?) approach to design. 

CONCEPT: an architecture that envelopes the negative space in cities. "Flatpack" that grows? Stacking, magnetic? 

I enjoy this image above. In a sense we can look at the laneway as an entity that can be chipped away by a series of geometric forms (frameworks) -- and thus creating open spaces, circulation spaces, gathering spaces etc...

Transparency - a sense of connection to the site?

Experimentation on SU

Playing around with Polyhedra Geometric forms to create stacking. A stable structure is formed.

Quick experimentation done up on SketchUP.

My aim is to create a series of capsules that connect/disconnect from one another. Perhaps a more organic approach should be considered. Capsules/geometric forms of different sizes.

Variety.
Modularity.
Flexibility.
Movability.

Site and analysis.

Looking at the site for project 2, as highlighted in red in the plan below, the location is in the heart of Brisbane city - the centre of the entertainment Hub. Essentially the architectural entity should respond to this context in some respect.  Accessibility to both Elizabeth st, and Queen street is of question, as well as the connection to pedestrianised environments. 

I'm beginning to question how the building could act as an activator - a connector within the entertainment/branded city.

Elevation sketches, experimenting how form can react to narrow spaces. Especially smallers entities such as 'flatpack' pods.