Project title: Sweet Urbanism?

Site: Along Peel St next to Flagstaff Gardens and The Queen Victoria Market.

This scalene triangular site is currently a transitional space dedicated solely to the automobile. The dead frontages of the southern side of the market turn their back on the site.

The vision is that the design will:

-re-define the way the site is perceived and its relationship to the surrounding urban fabric (the context of the design will be local)

-be unique and add to the culture of the are

-re-invent the site (which is currently largely dependant on activation by the market) to have its own meaningful purpose and to become a destination in its own right

The hypothesis is that the site needs a specific yet mixed-use intervention with a unique driving parti. The parti has been inspired by the presentation of cakes on cake stands. These multiple tier structures provide inspiration for the organization of a mixed-use and hybrid programs in a high-density configuration. Thus the tiers are essentially seen as platforms for activity and living. It is believed that the different activities combined in aggregate will provide for a more exciting urban environment similar to the way a cupcake tower employs a bottom up approach for greater impact.

This thesis is unique because it is not pseudo-science based and does not try to gain a sense of legitimacy from fancy words. It is driven by a hunger for innovation and fantasy inspired urbanism. Whilst the parti may seem eccentric, it is aimed that the form will be innovative without being kitsch. The design is not aimed to resemble a cake; rather the site will become a centerpiece for the area similar to how a cake is the centerpiece for a party.

The programs include residential accommodation, a baking school, patisserie, garden, public plaza, café, gym, community space, special events space, bar, some retail, tai chi/yoga space and parking.

The design will explore the amalgamation of traditional spatial typologies that traverse the boundaries between public and private space. These public and private relationships will be played out through the great permeability and porosity of the built form. Additionally there will be a volumetric hierarchy of open spaces of varying ‘publicness’.

Diagrams will be used to help develop an understanding of the functions and flows of the design. They will also be used to make the subtle relationships between activities more explicit. A generative design process will be adopted. A rule-based strategy operating within the broader generative design process will further drive the placement of activities so that each activity receives its spatial requirements. Program generators will be used to highlight potential synergies of hybrid areas. Parametric design will also be used to determine the aesthetics of the façade.