When deciding on the form and materiality of how my exhibition structure will look I turned to the work of Steven Holl. I was particularly interested in his work on the Maggie’s Centre in Barts and Higgins Hall Insertion at the Pratt Institute of Brooklyn. Both of these spaces were carefully crafted to fit between or beside historic buildings. Holl’s (n.d, 04:12) explains that the manner in which these spaces were designed were in respect to the authenticity of the existing historic architecture. Holl revealed that he had to develop an entirely new authentic piece as it is impossible to replicate the quality and craftsmanship of the already surrounding architecture. To mimic what is already there would be an insult to the site as we must design in a complementary contrast. Fort Lane is a rather historic site dating back to when Auckland was first colonized as a city by early settlers. The buildings on either side of Fort Lane have stood there since the late 1800s. Through my own project, I seek to acknowledge this foundation in the best way possible. Going by Steven Holl’s advice, I decided to design an entirely new structure that would allow for visitors to experience and acknowledge the historic architecture surrounding it. On both projects discussed above Holl elected the use of material with a transparent quality. This provided support in separating the new from the old and accommodated a light, buoyant and modern outlook in comparison to the heavy stone and brickwork of the surrounding site. Considering Fort Lane has a very much similar material palette do I have opted for an equivalent translucent material for a perfect complementary contrast with respect and authenticity to the old and new architecture of Fort Lane. Below is my research into what sort of materials might work best.
References:
- Steven Holl Architects. (2005). Higgins Hall Insertion, Pratt Institute [Architecture]. Brooklyn, United States. https://www.stevenholl.com/projects/pratt-institute-insertion?
- Steven Holl Architects. (2017). Maggie’s Centre Barts [Architecture]. London, United Kingdom. https://www.stevenholl.com/projects/pratt-institute-insertion?
- Steven Holl Architects. (n.d.). Maggie’s Centre Barts, London [Video]. Steven Holl Architects. https://www.stevenholl.com/projects/maggies-centre-barts
Maggie’s Centre Barts, London 
Higgins Hall Insertion, Pratt Institute 
Maggie’s Centre Barts, London 
Higgins Hall Insertion, Pratt Institute
Tyvek a Translucent and Synthetic Fabric
Studio 10 – Sea World Culture and Arts Center, China – December 2020
Chinese design firm Studio 10 has used translucent materials and winding ramps to create a series of abstract spaces to display artefacts at the Fashioned from Nature exhibition at the V&A’s outpost in Shenzhen. Studio 10 transformed the V&A museum’s gallery at the Fumihiko Maki-designed Sea World Culture and Arts Center in Shenzhen to host the exhibition on fashion and the natural world, which previously displayed in London.
At the entrance, the studio used a steel structure wrapped in Tyvek – a translucent synthetic fabric – to create a long corridor that looks to reflect the uniformity and rigidness of classical gardens. Translucent fabrics are backlit throughout the corridor to reveal “vine-like” fibers that mimic a tunnel of foliage
“Translucent fabrics are used to create an abstract ‘Western’ classical garden,” explained Zhou.
Reference: Parkes, J. (2021, April 24). Studio 10 divides up fashioned from nature exhibition with translucent corridors. Retrieved from https://www.dezeen.com/2021/04/24/studio-10-fashioned-from-nature-exhibition-shenzhen/?li_source=LI&li_medium=rhs_block_2
Perforated Corrugated Metal
Designer Neiheiser Argyros – North Greenwich Sculptural Screen – London, United Kingdom – 2020
The faceted North Greenwich Sculptural Screen by Neiheiser Argyros is designed to conceal the exhaust vents and fire escape of a London Underground station. Shrouded by corrugated aluminum and a large digital screen, the 14-metre-high pavilion above North Greenwich Station in south London, UK, also incorporates a café and public toilets. Thousands of tiny perforations in the metal exterior grant the structure an almost translucent quality.
Its sculptural, folded form was developed by Neiheiser Argyros in direct response to its site, which is also home to the O2 Arena and elevated Tide park that Neiheiser Argyros is developing with Diller Scofidio + Renfro.This material is also lightweight and strong, which helped the studio to achieve its pared-back form as it can span long distances without needing structural support.
Reference: Crook, L. (2020, August 24). Sculptural metal pavilion by Neiheiser Argyros disguises London Underground vents. Retrieved from https://www.dezeen.com/2020/08/24/north-greenwich-sculptural-screen-neiheiser-argyros-london/?li_source=LI&li_medium=rhs_block_1
Polycarbonate Panels
Designed by Behnisch Architekten – Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Germany
Translucent polycarbonate panels encase the concrete and timber laboratory at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Germany. The lab occupies a site formerly used for solar energy experiments. Its corrugated plastic cladding and distinctive irregular roof echo the industrial buildings that surround it.
“The hall and the sawtooth roof are generously clad with polycarbonate plates, which allow a consistent amount of daylight to enter the entire test area,” said the studio. “Window openings set in specific places in the office facade enable a selective illumination of the interior spaces with their unobtrusive design”. At night, this cladding creates a lantern-like glow from the testing hall, enlivened by the shadows cast by the timber frame and the steel walkway.
The polycarbonate panels have been matched with an exposed concrete frame allowing the hall to be column-free, and a secondary, timber structure supports the roof that creates internal partitions. The hall and its roof are lined with chipboard panels, providing a subtle contrast to the office areas which are finished in white-painted wood.
Reference: Astbury, J. (2020, March 19). Behnisch Architekten clads energy laboratory in translucent polycarbonate. Retrieved from https://www.dezeen.com/2020/03/19/behnisch-architekten-energy-lab-karlsruhe-institute-of-technology-germany/
Double Skinned Translucent Fiber Glass
Petr Stolin Architekt – Nová Ruda kindergarten, Czech Republic
The locally based architecture studio designed the educational facility for the town of Liberec with the aim of balancing plentiful outdoor space with the need for security and privacy. An inner building is covered by a fibreglass-clad wooden frame, and the whole structure is then wrapped by a steel and fibreglass shell. The gap between the two layers forms a terrace space. “The whole building is embraced by the steel structure with two walking paths around the main sections, hidden from the street by another layer of trapezoidal fibreglass,” said Petr Stolin Architekt.
Some of the large openings are aligned in both layers so that views through the facade to the outside are possible, while some look out onto the walkway. At night, this layering is revealed as the openings glow behind the outer skin. On the top floor, the classroom benefits from skylights and views across an adjacent field. Terraces and viewing areas on the rooftop are strategically placed alongside cut-outs in the fibreglass shell, looking back down into the central courtyard.
Reference: Astbury, J. (2019, January 19). Czech kindergarten is encased in two layers of translucent fibreglass. Retrieved from https://www.dezeen.com/2019/01/19/nova-ruda-kindergarten-petr-stolin-architekt/
Perforated Steel
David Adjaye & Daniel Boyd – Sydney Plaza, Australia
David Adjaye has unveiled visuals of a multifunctional building and public square in Sydney that will be shaded by a perforated metal canopy, designed with Aboriginal artist Daniel Boyd. In a bid to spotlight the site’s history as the home of indigenous Eora people, it will be characterised by a giant perforated-steel canopy, which Adjaye Associates designed with Boyd to evoke an Aboriginal dot painting.
Sydney Plaza has been designed by Adjaye Associates and Boyd to be made from steel, intended to complement the site’s current industrial aesthetic. Its circular perforations will be randomly scattered and lined by mirrors that will filter and refract light to create a playful “cosmic” effect on the plaza below. Like the canopy, these skylights will extend “the play of light” below ground by filtering natural light into a bicycle facility beneath the plaza.
We have envisioned a highly interactive environment that connects holistically to its neighbouring buildings and public realm. Our proposal, in addition to the new community building, includes the George Street public plaza, Circular Quay Tower pedestrian bridge as well the integration of the proposed cycle parking facility. “We believe the new community building and George Street public plaza can become a new cherished destination in Sydney’s central business district, a generative place for people to connect, recharge, reflect and take a pause from the rhythm of a fast transforming city…Our design proposal ensures a building which is tied to its location and community,” concluded the studio.
Reference: Crook, L. (2019, December 12). David Adjaye designs Sydney Plaza to evoke Aboriginal paintings. Retrieved from https://www.dezeen.com/2019/12/12/david-adjaye-sydney-plaza-aboriginal-paintings/
Thoughts:
I really love the light quality of the Tyvek however being a fabric it won’t be suitable as an exterior material as it will not weather or last very well. I love the appearance of the others heaps but I think I will need to go with a perforated steel with smaller holes that isn’t corrugated for the flooring of my structure. This will allow for the projections light to pass through the surface and onto the below visitors to Fort Lane. This will then intrigue them to take a step into the structure out of curiosity. I still love the corrugated look so I am thinking I could combine this with polycarbonate panels as they look strong enough to last outdoors and also be able to bend in to the shape of my structures ribbon like form. I’ve decided not to use the fibre glass as by the looks of it I will need to have structural support framing which is not ideal for my design.
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