WK09 Lecture Reflection: Architecture as Assistive Devices

The lecture had me thinking about my architectural entity as an assistive device the opportunities it will create for people in my future scenario.

My entity will be a depot for cultural artefacts
It will be a stage for village activities
It will be a container for cultural diversity
It will be a catalyst for creativity + collaboration


It will create opportunities to...

Make 
Create
Express
Play
Act
Dwell
Watch
Loiter
Share
Collaborate
Relax
Reflect
Discover
Learn
Present

WK08 Tutorial Reflection: Community needs

Although my tutor Cameron couldn't make it this week I have continued to think about my mixed use concept and how it will respond to community needs in the year 2027.

Community Needs

Paddington locals still require access to fresh food and groceries, however, very high fuel prices, logistical innovations and technological advances has seen a large increase in residents shopping online and having groceries delivered via small hybrid trucks. This is also the system used for many other goods purchased by residents and has seen retail centres respond with adaptable strategies and spaces that cater for change.

WK08 Lecture Reflection: 'Green' Sustainability

This weeks lecture gave me some good insights into adaptable strategies which I can apply to my retail and cultural centre in Paddington. I have begun to think about adaptable retail centres and how my project can respond to a variety of retail modes now and in the future.

I did some quick brainstorming on retail modes and looked at rigid (store), flexible (cart) and semi-flexible (market stall) modes. For my project I wanted to incorporate all of these modes in order to have a diverse range of merchants/goods and constantly changing retail landscape. Having these flexible options also makes the retail rent more affordable and may reintroduce merchants that have been pushed out of Paddington due to the forces of gentrification and high retail rents.

Retail Modes

Retail 'Staging'

I want to rethink the retail shop along with the act of fitting it out (forming) and merchandising (staging).

Retail shops are in essence a form of theatre. The front window and interior act as a stage where a scene is presented. The mannequins are the main characters who are dressed in a particular style and positioned as if they are engaging in an activity.

5 parts Retail, 1 part Culture?

img ref - http://www.big.dk/#projects-utr

I'm currently thinking about the mix of uses that would best form my architectural response to the densification and gentrification of Paddington. Considering the medium scale of the project, nearby cultural precinct and the sites current use as a retail shopping centre I want to keep the focus on retail and have affordable housing and cultural elements as secondary functions. Having said this the cultural functions will play a very important role and will be specific to the needs of Paddington. The retail component will have flexible and fixed elements that involve a carefully chosen mix of food, clothing, home wares and services. The main memorable space will involve an open market area that can be reconfigured as a public square and event space.

img ref - http://www.big.dk/#projects-utr

UTRECHT LIBRARY AND HOUSING

I came across this project by BIG architects as an typological example of how housing can be integrated with cultural programs. Although my response won't include a library I can learn from the integration of public and private spaces through a vertical strategy.

http://www.big.dk/#projects-utr

Antique Shops as cultural 'Depot'

Antique shops are rich in cultural heritage and act as musem or 'depot' for cultural artefacts. Each item tells a story about a particular time in history and when passed on to a new customer the narrative continues for the current generation. It may be easy for younger generations to dismiss these antique stores as boring, dated and dank, however, they play a significant role in keeping a suburbs cultural heritage alive. If culture at large is to be respected and fostered then we need to look carefully at the retail outlets that contribute to the eclitic cultural mix.

Estelle's Antiques and Collectables Paddington

"You walk through a series of connecting rooms, each with a variety of antique items. Some are large, elaborate and expensive. Some are kitsch and quite cheap. It's all arranged in a fairly ramshackle way for the most part, which actually has an appeal to it. You feel like you're discovering things." Karene A. Queensland (Estelle's customer)

The Latrobe Tce shop front adding to Paddington's cultural character

img references - http://www.yelp.com.au/biz/estelles-antiques-and-collectables-paddington

Hey Hey Its Yesterday's Thrift Shop

Hey Hey It's Yesterday's Thrift Shop in it's original Paddington location. (google maps)

I came across these anecdotal gems while researching thrift shops in Paddington. The comments are about the pictured thrift shop and support my concerns about gentrification and rising real estate prices.  


"The great thing about having a thrift store in a suburb filled with trendy and rich people is that they get some of the most awesome stuff"


"Hooray for Hey Hey's!  This great little old lady thrift shop used to be up on Latrobe Terrace, but was pushed out a few years ago (no doubt due to rising rents)."


"the profits from these items don't even benefit the shop owners, they all go to benefit brain-injured children. You 
can't get more selfless than that."

Quote references - http://www.yelp.com.au/biz/yestedays-thrift-shop-paddington

Paddington Retail 'Scenes'

ref - http://www.paddingtonantiquecentre.blogspot.com.au/

Retail shops often create 'scenes' on the interior and become part of the wider scene on the exterior.

Shops play an important role in forming a suburbs cultural identity and someone can get a feel for a suburb or town by driving past the main strip of shops which often represents the suburban centre. The shop fronts form a collective street 'stage' through their individual characters and tell stories of the local culture through their merchandising.