View more
This project aims to cultivate an environment where Country is acknowledged, actively integrated and supported throughout the proposal’s lifespan and further into the future. As a base for botanical science, research and dispersal, this social condenser is designed to communicate and educate the visitor in the beauty, variety and complexity of the plant world, allowing for the dispersal and broader regeneration of the native ecologies back into the urban fabric of Waterloo.
The primary focus of the architecture is to connect people and plants by housing visitors and fauna within an adapted glass production factory, extending the community’s ability to undertake research and conservation, whilst providing spaces to operate educational activities and present exhibitions. In doing so, our proposal, ‘Plant It Forward’ will generate a succinct regreening network that will rejuvenate the Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub and Estuarine and Freshwater Wetlands ecologies, In addition, a considered ArtDeco approach will be undertaken to acknowledge the heritage aspects of the existing fabric whilst ensuring the site will comply and sympathise with the demands of contemporary society.
The social condenser will further support commercial opportunities that promote green and sustainable initiatives by providing commercial and coworking spaces for businesses. Through this, the site boundary becomes more porous, encouraging the exchange and collection of knowledge where relationships can be fostered within the broader precinct. Our urban condition was framed similarly to Bernard Tschumi’s Parc de la Villette, where architectural and ecological features have been implemented sympathetically to manage the speed and flow of inhabitants maneuvering through a space. ‘Plant it Forward’ aims to achieve this on the precinct level, down to the individual room, offering different moments of education and participation both on and off-site.
By encouraging the broader community to participate in flora regeneration, the site begins to germinate a socially active and interactive environment that is considerate towards the future prosperity of Waterloo’s natural flora and fauna. The provision of this social condenser prompts people to better connect with the earth they reside on, taking into account the current environmental climate but also empathise with pre-colonial flora and fauna, in conjunction with the ever-changing architectural expressionism, relating to the Art Deco presence in the existing massing, hybridising all stages of history and how it has formed the current expression of Waterloo today.
