Coogee Community Centre Design Studio 4 2008 - Exercise 2 Edges, External and Internal Spaces

In this exercise, I felt the need to resolve the planning of the building prior to attempting any further cross-sections or exploration of the building's 'edges.'

A central circulation zone runs along the back of western wall in both directions from the central entry foyer. On both floors, the functional office/store/amenities rooms are stacked along this circulation zone. The open circulation zone serves to bring natural light and ventilation to these areas which are not along the 'transparent' eastern side of the building.

The cafe and gym halls are situated to the eastern side of the building overlooking Coogee oval. They consist of glazed double height spaces that will open out to the oval. The division of room types is clearly expressed in the 1:500 plan on the layout above.

With the functional planning resolved, another attempt at the building facades could be undertaken. I have tried to open up the monolithic western facade with penetrations and punctuations but these can be further refined in the next study model & drawings. The eastern & northern facades need to have the sunshading resolved and the overall 'boxiness' of the design needs refinement.

I particularly want to explore how the 'transparent' portion of the building intersects with the stone facade at corners - one can project past another or stop short to create walls that do not meet entirely.

This drawing, the third edge exploration, illustrates the central circulation zone that will bring natural light into the building as well as possible openings in the stone wall.

The second section attempt - this time a longitudinal section through the cafe to the northern end of the building. The roof form needs to be resolved beyond a simple skillion, as does the simplistic form of the building at both the external and internal edges.

The first section attempt through the western 'edge' of the building along Brook Street. The drawing illustrates the contrast between the two sides of the building - the open communal areas to the eastern side over looking Coogee Oval and the private offices, stores & toilets/changerooms to the western side.