A Systematic Journey

A Systematic Journey

An extrapolation of human & nature systems

Ankit Raichurkar

Process Log

Term 1

This group led studio allowed for understanding the industrial process on site as well as the community connection to history. Upcycling became the focus area of the group, with an exploration of the working city key in the produced design work.

To reuse (discarded objects or material) in such a way as to create a product of higher quality or value than the original.

(Oxford English Dictionary)

Upcycle Vision

With an increase in construction in Sydney, due to an increasing population, the use for materials and waste has never been greater. It is widely thought that industrial zones are “low value” as it doesn’t provide as many jobs and the per capita outcome is low but this a myth, as explained by Jeremy Gill. Industries are enablers of the capital to be actually realised 1 . Therefore, in the future, industrial zones close to the city will need to be created or sustained to keep up with this increasing demand. The Bays with a redefinition of the industries, on site already present, it could be seen to succeed as a working waterfront so close to Sydney’s CBD in a future projection of a making city 2 . Sydney’s inner city is the destination for most travel, missing out on the beautiful harbour that once made Sydney become established in the first place. Therefore, another direction for the Bays is to create an area in which users have the opportunity to slow down in a fast-paced urban environment. This would be achieved on the site by enhancing the slow connectivity providing opportunities to enjoy Sydney’s natural harbour and in term creating somewhat of a 20-minute village as discussed in Melbourne 3 .

1 Gill, J 2021, ‘Safeguarding employment precincts is a vital part of planning for economic growth’ , NewPlanner, (p.18-19)

2 Grodach, C., Gibson, C., & O’Connor, J. (2019). Three ways to fix the problems caused by rezoning inner-city industrial land for mixed-use apartments. The Conversation., https://theconversation.com/three-ways-to-fix-the-problems-caused-by-rezoning-inner-city-industrial-land-formixed-use-apartments-121566

3 Victorian Government, 2017, 20-minute neighborhoods, https://www.planning.vic.gov.au/policy-and-strategy/planning-for-melbourne/plan-melbourne/20-minute-neighbourhoods.

Developed by group: Andrew, Ankit, Hamzah, Leo & Michael

Developing a circular economy

Products are recycled

Recycled waste turned into products at the Bays innovation hub

Developed by group: Andrew, Ankit, Hamzah, Leo & Michael

Products sold to consumers

Structure Plan

Glebe Island Industry

is harvested from waste products at gasification power plant (transported via underground conveyor belt)

Term 2

Topic

How can UI/UX design characteristics be used as a driver to revitalise historical connections at the Bays and provide equitable outcomes?

Preliminary Theoretical Framework

The term landscape in its traditional form is directly related towards our physical environment. Though in the contemporary world, this term should not have a one-dimensional application, simply defining what is visible. Landscape is also observable through the vast digital world, an anthropological dimension with endless possibilities, meaning “your digital life is a real life” (Wired 2014, p. 6). When we begin to dissect this world, it is apparent how fundamental UI (User Interface)/UX (User Experience) design is in providing a coherent user journey (Coyne et al. 2013). By exploring the design matrix of these journeys and understanding optimal user experiences, we can transpose this idea and similarly apply them to the physical landscape. Nielsen claims that “design should speak the users’ language”, stressing on the importance of efficiency in a user’s journey from A to B (Shelley 2015).

We can apply such concepts directly to The Bays, clearing up an inherently convoluted site and simplifying the experience of the user within the landscape. The implementation of this will supplement open park spaces, with a “fusion of elements and locations… (elevating) viewer participation and experience” (Deitsch 2009, p. 8). The process of simplifying the denseness and historical richness of The Bays comes with its own complexities. “Simplicity is a virtue in design” (Shelley 2015, p. 440), and the ability to reinterpret existing landscape elements and enhance them in ways that are easily digestible for users, will declutter the landscape.

With the construction of The Bays metro station, there is a wider range of demographics being introduced to the region, calling for the need of a more cohesive and tightknit design solution. Coyne et al. explores the need for “balancing intuitive thinking and analytic thinking” (Coyne et al. 2013, p. 23) in UI/UX design. In subverting this idea, the optimal design solution for The Bays should have a balance of conceptual depth and historical analytics to successfully achieve a meaningful equitable outcome.The location of site is one that despite impractical and cluttered, has immense potential and will hold an important position along Sydney’s harbour edge. Naturally, this alters site usages from previously being a predominantly locals’ accessed site, to one that will need to be welcoming of a larger usage base. As once said by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe “less is more” (Design Curial 2015), and finding a way to tie the sophisticated past of The Bays will reach a larger audience. By approaching The Bays site with UI/UX design ethos as a core driver, the oncoming influx of users of a diverse demographic range can be more appropriately designed towards, allowing for a reasonable and fair solution.

Site Analysis

Site analysis consisted of identifying opportunities and constraints to engage with on the group structure plan. Working with tall 10-12 storey buildings, it was a challenge to manage shade on site and hence public space.

Design Process

Influenced by providing space for all stakeholders, this design process was informed by needing to provide for a large range of demographics. I found it important to be able to zone out sections and map out varying user journeys throughout this process.

Site Relocation

Since switching the location of my site to the metro entry/exit region after T2 A1, I was able to focus on creating powerful initial user experiences at the Bays, giving me the ability to enhance the largest variety of peoples’ understanding of the region.

Early Conceptual Drawings

This early conceptual drawings were drawn from my inspiration of abstract art, including people like Joanne Greenbaum and James Corner. I sought to cocneptualise how shade structures could be utilised to differentiate zones

Design Work

Adopting a James Corner styled drawing allowed me to investigate material compositions of structures as well as directionality of built components.

Design Work

This drawing involved a focussed use of iconography to portray the potential development of White Bay Power Station in the contemporary future.

Design Work

I looked at exploring shade structures and the ability for iconography to be able to portray information. This drawing sought to identify a duality of levels (ground level and shade structures)

Understanding of Historical Layers

Regionality Industrial Zoning

Looking at how industrial processes occur on site allowed me to then formulate initial ideas in my head.

Site Lines

Site Lines were indicative of how significant structures were connected.

Metro Influence

Utilising dotted circular linework helped to identify the levels of reach the metro could have upon the region. The smaller dotted circle refers to visual reach of the shade structure whilst the larger dotted circle highlights improved accessibility.

Term 2

Break Period

Being part of a startup wherein I held the role of UI/ UX designer, I began to explore design principles to familiarise myself with concepts. This for me came in the form of working phone application design using figma.

User Interface Work

Term 3

Step Back to Site

By stepping back to site early on in term 3, I was able to engage with site systems and thus began to unstitch my site region. Extrapolating on geology, materiality, and contamination, I was able to understand the site more accurately.

Geological Analysis

Geological Analysis

Geological Layering

Ashphalt +/or Topsoil

Mix of compacted clay & transported fill

Mix of transported fill & muds and sands

Natural Geology

Understanding the extent of contaminants present on site enabled me to grasp how phytoremediation processes should occur on site.

Identifying Site Materiality

Undestanding Site Contamination

This series of drawings forms the my response to contamination on site, where I looked to identify zones to engage with phytoremediation processes as well as the zoning of activity.

How can we create from little to nothing?

Observing how cracks have formed in the concrete, I looked to identify how these cracks could be opened up and exploited, as well as understanding the development of root structures.

Initial User Experience

Understanding and catering to systems allowed me to then focus on how user experiences could work around them and connect with the metro.

Re-engaging with my topic

After identifying the need to cater to site systems, I looked to redevelop my design proposal, involving a reshuffling of my site proposals.

Early analysis drawings

Early staging

Early staging of the site came in the form of four main stages, where the general idea involves improving site systems to remove contamination, and then opening up pockets of space.

Phytoremediation steps

Site remediation involved 3 stages of phytoremediatoin, where metal toxins are slowly reduced over time till when the metro is built. This allows for a natural healing of our landscape which can not only improve the experience of users but also reduce costs that would otherwise be necessary to replace existing soil.

Promenade development

The promenade staging was necessary to portray the slow development of industrial activity on site. Stage 1 involves keeping the existing industrial uses of the promenade for parking, which later transforms into a working waterfront in stage 3 where the idea of cracks in the concrete is also implemented.

Promenade Stage 1

Promenade Stage 2

Promenade Stage 3

Modelling Study

This modelling study looked to identify how different objects can cause indents into the landscape.

Visualisations

Further Ideas Testing

Ideas testing was heavily important in coming to final design resolutions. I looked predominantly at how site systems and user systems could be managed.

Final Design

How can UI/UX design characteristics be used to balance site systems and facilitate coherent user journeys?

Final Design

Introduction

Site analysis thinking remained similar to before, with the exception of the additional focus of water systems on site.

Final Design

UI/UX and landscape architecture design principles have significant commonalities, especially on the side of user experiences. When in

Contextualising the site

The User & Cyclist Journey

Site accessibility is heavily restricted due to the limited access towards the edge. With cyclists, there are additional issues with safety due to changing sizes of cycleways and their lack of connection to residential regions, which increases risks to themselves and other users on site.

Sight Lines

Despite a lack of physical connection, the dominant bulidings allow for vistas towards other regions on site.

Visual Axis

Entry Points

Transitional Space

The metro region has the potential to act as a transitional space towards Glebe Island and White Bay.

Stormwater Management

With flooding risks, it is necessary to understand how stormwater runoff can be redirected to better suit the region, especially during flood events. Opportunity to Engage

Soil Contamination

Soil contaminants come in plenty on site, with traces of rare metals additionally present.

1:2000

1.

Reduce soil contaminants by up to 90% by Stage 2

Overarching Objectives

2.

Maintain visual connections to major buildings

3. Establishing habitat for bivalve mollusc species

4. Establishing visual guidelines through colour

Stage 1

Remediation Strategy

Four Stage Process

Stage 2 Site Establishment

Stage 3 Community Impositions

Stage 4 Strategising for the Future

Stage 1

With flooding risks, it is necessary to understand how stormwater runoff can be redirected to better suit the region, especially during flood events.

The Improved User Journey

Drastic improvements to circulation not only improve access to other regions but are designed to also allow for phytoremediation processes to occur without interruption

1:2000

Metro

WBPS + Outside Zone

New Structures

Remediation Zone

Water Channel

Bridge

Roadway

Crushed Sandstone Road

Bike Path

Nooks

Promenade Structure

Viewing Platform

Open Field

Planting Clearance Stages

This staging involves the clearance of phytoremediation regions, where new oppportunities for development arise.

Opportunities for Urban Development

Capping development to a certain level allows for vistas to be maintained and focalised towards the CBD.

1:2000

Stage 4

This stage 4 map highlights how it is necessary to be able to cope with a 100 year flood event. With rapid sea level rise, it is important to have coherent solutions. With the metro site being constructed near the edge, raising pathways to reach the entrance can be an effective measure.

1:2000

Final Design

The Planting Journey

The planting on site is highly important to phytoremediation processes occuring on site. Hence identifying species that can specifically help remove toxic chemicals can allow for healing of the site.

Planting Scheme

Phyto Species

Coastal Planting

Trees

Sunflowers are utilised to reduce levels of arsenic

Blue Flax Lily used to stabilise the banks Corn planting is used to reduce levels of chronium

Bridge is opened for access to the other part of the site

WBPS zone is opened after clearing plants from this region

Sunflowers are utilised to reduce levels or arsenic

Final Design

The Water Journey

With significant flood risks on site, it becomes imperative to have a sustainable system working on site.

Remediation System

The establishment of a remediation system helps in the filtration of stormwater. This works in tandem with phytoremediation processes.

Wetland System

Opportunity to engage with process of boring and filter the landscape.

Bivalve Nooks

Looking at how these nooks could submerge under the water during higher tides and can thus allow for bivalves to latch onto rocks allows for a development of these nooks as a filtration device.

Rockpool

Bivalve Nooks

Extrapolating the Edge

Final Design

Cracks in the Concrete

The development of this idea allows for cracks to guide user journeys. Utilising this allows for redirecting people from the metro towards surrounding areas.

Relevance to User Journey

Pops of colour can be utilised to guide users towards WBPS & Glebe Island

1:2000

Natural Cracks

Cracks in concrete previously established

Initial Conditions

Creating Plant boxes

Stage 1

Perrenial Grasses & Bright flowering plants

- Grevillea Hybrida

- salvia longispicata

- carpobrotus rossii

Stage 2

Stage 3

Artifical Cracks

Initial Conditions

Stage 1

Stage 2

Stage 3

Final Design

The Future Journey

The future of the region is heavily dependant upon how flood waters can be managed in response to sea level rise. There is a sol

1.

Reduced Water Contaminants

2. Remediated Soil

With site conditions heavily improved, there is greater flexibility in when approaching rapid sea level rise and flooding risks.

References

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