Thesis Statement

Inter+ACTION

How can architecture act as a medium to encourage productive and healthy interactions in an urban setting? An increasing number of the global population currently resides in urban metropolises. Due to the intensity of such urban life, people gradually become insensitive towards other individuals around them and the sense of community starts to disappear. The frequency of social interaction significantly decreases in higher density living. The phrase of ‘not knowing the next-door neighbour’ is further stimulated in the developments of high-density apartment blocks, which are often equipped with minimal common areas and simple, narrow corridors.

‘Inter+ACTION’ will attempt to solve the lack of social interaction within high-density developments by optimizing hybridization of three definite spaces: LIVE, LEARN and PRODUCE. It will focus on the connectivity between actions within the development. It aims to restore the sense of community by giving it a shared responsibility of production. The three chosen programmes, situated on the inactive site of Franklin Street and Peel Street, will be significantly interdependent with one another in generating a unified, safe and mutually supportive group, with shared productive ways of living that are free and open. For instance, the place to live will obtain its supplies from the place to produce, from which learning can then be generated from.

In order to instigate a sense of responsibility and belonging, the hybridisation will be driven by a Sunflower factor – chosen due to the site’s proximity to a well-known place of produce (Victoria Market) and the current trend of sustainability (bio-fuel). The sunflower system generates interesting hybrid programs within the development, such as a Sunflower Hotel&Bar and a Bio-Petrol Station.  Consequently, hybridisation causes several factors to act as parameters: the public/private (defined as the level of privacy and share-ability), time, sun, and natural ventilation.

To enhance the sense of inter-connected living, Inter+ACTION will also have a symbiotic relationship with its surrounding areas: the Queen Victoria Market and Flagstaff Garden. They will be efficiently connected and utilised to support Inter+ACTION’s programs and vice versa. Overall, Inter+ACTION should encourage interaction within the development and its surroundings, radically re-inventing the site.

In achieving the goal, previous analyses of the site will be used to inform the development of Inter+ACTION. Additionally, diagrams depicting the relationship between private and public activities are also developed in order to creatively and appropriately hybridize the space. These diagrams will generate a framework for a rule based system to which this development is going to be defined and arranged. Grasshopper and 3D Max will be used to assist the generation of the form digitally and accurately based on the rule that is generated from the diagram. From here, material system of strap may be further experimented as it is deemed best to represent the form physically.