I began my detailed 3D model on Monday – these images show some of my progress to date. The design is by no means finalised; working at this detail is in fact beginning to pose more and more questions… This is an aerial shot taken just above the tower looking down onto the beginnings of the first storey with auditorium etc. There are three levels beneath – it is difficult to understand but I will post a section shortly.

This is an early shot of the street facade showing the cobbled street leading into the ground floor reception area. The two stairs in the distance lead the visitor up to the auditorium and second storey rooftop platform where the formal programme and viewing galleries begin. The upturned panel that resembles a canopy (repeated along the length) hints at a ‘shop-front’ that can be reconfigured to manipulate the boundary with the street. Openness is key: depending on the event, the public would be encouraged to wander in. This would obviously need to incorporate some glazed elements which is something I am currently brainstorming.

First floor sketch plan showing basic features.

And finally… a quick test (hence the poor quality) to check the ambient lighting above the entrance foyer. It is looking a little bleak as the model is nothing more than a fair-faced concrete structural shell. However it gives me a better idea in terms of internal finishes. The wall to the right is solid (it spans the foyer as a fin) which makes this front balcony rather gloomy although there may be an opportunity to introduce some translucency. In the distance and off to the left is the principal auditorium with a bar to the front and WCs around to the left; the ascending stair leads to the rooftop level, which is the first view of the city.

This was a Thesis by Daniel Belcher for his Masters of Science in Design Computing at the College of Architecture and Urban Planning at the University of Washington. I particularly like the demonstration where he manipulates the heliodon which in turn modifies the scene lighting in the rendered model. It is also worth looking at his ARchitecture Hall project which implies a link with BIM. Impressive stuff.

I have now managed to compile the ARToolKit which should allow me to begin considering AR for aspects of my presentation. The only hitch is of course the interface – without a suitable viewing device or head mounted display the interaction is interesting but less meaningful.

A quick shot showing some design development. I have also been exploring this through physical modelling photos of which will follow shortly. The building is turning into something of a puzzle with interlocking volumes of varying height, scale and orientation. The circulation (limitation of) is now beginning to define the sequence of spaces in response to the specific views of the city.

These are the basic site sections showing the broader city context and relative scale.

The image above is a 360 degree panoramic from Baker’s Row taken approximately 35 metres above ground. I have re-projected the photograph using different techniques, which I intend to use to map the different views one would experience throughout the building.