casnorthshore-blog

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Meeting Pillars

Obviously this idea would require much more consideration and consultation with key stakeholders. However, I believe that it upholds multiple key pillars in the Northshore precinct vision. Firstly, it upholds pillar 1 (Enriched Life) as an uplifting outdoor area supporting mindfulness and relaxation. Another main one is pillar 4 (Culturally Vibrant) because my aim is to support a variety of artists from diverse backgrounds, therefore it’s expanding its activation to include the cultural tastes of newer creative professionals. Finally, pillar 5 (Captivating Cutting-Edge) is being upheld because I like the idea of utilising technology similar to The Cube at QUT Garden’s Point. This brings the history of the area and the tank itself into the present and ahead to the future, ultimately appealing to residents and visitors to the area.

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Apologies for the very crudely drawn image but I keep thinking about lighthouses and how they also relate to themes of hope and courage. They provide a beacon of light in dark times, and perhaps what I’m developing could help with that. Maybe I’m a little bit inspired by the current global situation, but I would like to give visitors to the site and residents alike a chance to look out upon the city and the world and feel happy and inspired.

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Slightly off topic for this project, but this resonated with me and I immediately thought of the view of the Brisbane skyline. I know as a young student who has moved here that this skyline and really any city skyline inspires dreams, courage, and hope in many people. 

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Also behind the same area are stacks of original timber that has been left after being used for various reasons around the precinct. As evidenced by the architectural design of The Deck and parts of Eat Street, the Northshore development has a history of reusing and repurposing materials from the past into something new. Old shipping bollards are used for seating, wood from the wharves make up The Deck, and perhaps most obviously is the use of shipping containers around the area, especially for Eat Street’s many vendors. Therefore, I would be aiming to create something that mostly utilises repurposed materials from the area while also shifting into the future. However, building structures in the precinct can run into issues as most of the land is actually dredged sand due to the river being reshaped by us many years ago. Therefore, I would be aiming to utilise something pre-existing in the space.

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I want to create a touchstone for the area, an artistic culmination of the history of Northshore and its inhabitants, while linking the site to its importance to Brisbane and how the river plays a monumental role in this relationship. This unused tank at the area has provided me with the perfect location to bring my idea to life. It brings the idea of utilising space and materials that are already available in the area and are a part of its history - much like the use of the containers and the wood on The Deck. I’m proposing a landmark known as “The Lighthouse”. I found the task quite difficult in the sense of the client not wanting just another empty unused space, however I do believe that this area provides much more. in addition to being a lookout at the top level, I want it to educate about the history of the area, from Indigenous history, Wartime history, and industrial history. In doing so, I would also like to appeal to local Indigenous artists and groups to help decorate and create artworks for the space; potentially housing “resident artists” from time to time. In addition to Brisbane’s relationship with the river, I want to bring in the idea of nature merging with our society (seen in the greenery growing towards The Deck) by providing a walkway from the tank right to the riverbank. It will be lush and inviting and uniquely will follow the shape of the river, with important locations marked along the way, for residents and visitors alike to see how the river is the “main artery” our city is built upon.

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To the right of the platform where the picture of the city view was taken is a large shed area still being used by the Belgian sand mining company Sibelco. They bring the sand and minerals that have been mined on North Stradbroke Island here. However, the company, government, and North Stradbroke officials have agreed to end sand mining on the Island, therefore this area still being used for industrial commercial purposes will not be an issue for much longer. North Stradbroke Island has a rich Indigenous history, as does the area around Northshore and Brisbane in a greater sense. The conclusion of sand mining with this foreign company on the island brings back this idea of the Earth reclaiming its natural state, as the generations of the North Stradbroke community regain the natural beauty of their home.

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The views from the site are quite expansive even from a lower area such as this platform right on the water. Even just a little bit higher up there could be an opportunity to have a great 360 degree viewing platform, a perfect spot to witness the development of the area over the next few decades and beyond. Also providing an amazing backdrop for residents and the people who work in the area to meet up, exercise, collaborate on creative projects etc. Additionally, I believe something like this could draw in the tourists who arrive from the airport (only a short distance away - and the site is on the way into the city) and cruise ships that dock near the area. Could possibly provide an “introduction” of sorts to the Northshore precinct and the city of Brisbane as a whole.

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The Deck. An architectural award-winning viewing platform made with the repurposed wood of the Northshore precinct and its wharves. It inspires me in the sense of making old new again. Turning something for commercial or industrial use into an eye-catching piece of architecture that serves purpose to the visitors and residents of the area is something that I am aiming to achieve. I like how the greenery is growing up along the chains towards the roof (which reminds me of Noah’s Ark). It looks like nature and construction are merging together, like Mother Nature is reclaiming what belongs to her.

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The Modular Farming company onsite eliminates the need for any “vertical farming” or “community garden” ideas. I found it interesting to learn that wind turbine power has been trialled at the Northshore site. Because of how windy the area is, it can actually create a lot of power in addition to solar power. The lighting in the car park is unique because they can all be individually remote-controlled to turn off and on, and they are also solar powered. The lights and the maritime history of the area bring me to the word “lighthouse”.