Current State of Project and Ideas for Proposal:


Why a space for meditation, relaxation and purification?
- the space will be used primarily for people interested in yoga, mediation, pilates, swimming, bathing.
- the cliffs at Kangaroo Point are used for a variety of physical activities - is using the knowledge that this has been a successful venture and applying it to HSW site
- New Farm (through observations) is an active suburb. Many people cycle, walk, exercise and read and run by the river. Am applying this understanding of the people of New Farm and surrounding areas are generally quite active people and/or people come to the site just to exercise within close proximity to the river as it may be more enjoyable than a gym environment
- Am utilising the fact that New Farm and surrounding inner city suburbs are quite expensive and exclusive areas and therefore the people using the space will be willing/be able to afford to use this space in the areas that are not for public use.
- Am working on the assumption that this is a respectable Brisbane area and the site will be generally well used and respected also.
- Utilising prime realestate - river side to be used in a calm way, emphasizing its beauty - emphasising the ability of a space to make you feel like you are far from the city despite being right within in it.
- Encouraging city go-ers to relax, to take some time to reflect and remember.

Why water?
I will use water as it literally cleanses the body but can affect the mind and cleanse it in a psychological sense.
Water is calming, I will utilise the sounds, like the ocean makes sounds that are calming, the heighten users awareness and activate their senses. Water will be used to create a connection with the river.

Metaphor Change!
After multiple discussions with Yvonne I realised I had become stuck on this idea of Japanese architecture and platforms and the understanding that horizontal planes were most relaxing and calming. Yvonne and I decided to explore verticality and the verticality of Bamboo. This led the the understanding that I could still use some horizontal platforms but they would possibly be embedded within vertical strands of bamboo, the placing of the platforms would imitate the inside of a bamboo stalk and the way it is broken up into pods - this is also consistent with plant cells. This then is how I will connect my structure to bio-mimicry and the use of bamboo and the positioning of platforms will create a lightweight structure. Because the structure will be lightweight the building will be much more environmentally friendly and it will be utilising a rapidly renewable resource.

I will continue to explore this metaphor further.

Why individual spaces or platforms?
- Individual spaces because these are private spaces - private spaces are quite and therefore ideal for relaxation.
-  Platforms can be used for group activities or the openness of a platform can allow people to find peace, quite, serenity and relax within the city environment.

Noise to be cancelled out as it is a ZEN space:
- The long bamboo strands that encapsulate the platforms / spaces / pods will also help to prevent noise - I will apply the idea of how trees being plated in rows help to reduce noise.
- Water will help to cancel out noise and will introduce a new noise that calms the senses.
- Stone may still be used in some areas to completely seal off sections from noise. These areas will be darker and will hold the pools and the shadows integral to this idea.