Tutorial 3 - End Wall Section

The Carousel Pavillion

The Carousel Pavillion on the Geelong Waterfront was designed by McGlashan Everist Pty Ltd basically to showcase and protect a 19th Century steam carousel. Due to sea spray and chloride deposition the steel was top grade after-fabrication galvanised in all parts of the structure.

Tutorial Exercise: Portal Frame Section

Veneer Section

Tutorial 1 - Melbourne Central Photos

Overall view of the Melbourne Central Cone. The original design of the Railway station, Shopping centre and Office building were designed by Japanese architect Kisho Kurokawa for the Diamaru Department Store, it was then refurbished in 2005 by Ashton Raggatt McDougall after the department store closed in 2002. In now houses a 5 levels of retail, food, bars, and a cinema and entertainment complex, whilst retaining the historic Shot Tower in its centre.

The above image shows an interesting contrast between the historic Shot Tower, built from brick and the modern cone above, constructed of steel and glass. The cone protects and preserves the tower, whilst providing and huge amount of light into such a large space. Although the cone lacks intricacy, such as with the Fed Square Atrium, it still provides practicality and a spectacular sight (when anyone bothers to look up.)

Using a 300mm zoom lense i managed to capture an image of an intrinsic and complex connection that cannot be seen even from the highest level of the building as the top level provides for a closed level occupied by a fitness centre. The various steel elements can be seen interlocking at a set of plates and bolted into the main structural element of the cone. This image provided me with an idea of the connections and engineering involved with the cone that from far appears to be a mundane shape. The construction methods in comparison to the brick tower, which was built in the late 1880's, are an immense progression.

Tutorial 1 - Excellence in Construction Technology

I am a very big fan of "high tech" architectucture and construction produced by the likes of Norman Foster and Zaha Hadid, therefore i sought out a building that displayed an attempt at the "high tech". Living in Melbourne i decided to walk the streets and observe the many buildings of great architectural design. Seeking steel construction, initially the atrium at Federation Square came to mind but i didn't feel it consumed enough of the site to be a major part of the overall site. Therefore, i wondered up to the QV precinct but got a big fat "NO" to taking photos within the Sensis Building (hmmm...Grocon own the whole block and don't allow photography without written proof from a head of department at the University, too tedious) Then across the road i found a building i constantly pass through but don't tend to look up often enough...although design isn't to the highest creative level the construction of the old Diamaru Cone (Now the Melbourne Central Cone) is quite and inspiring sight, and with the historic Shot Tower in the middle it's quite an amazing contrast in technologies.

Welcome to Construction & Structures 2

Welcome to my blog on everything construction. Stay tuned for weekly updates on issues relating to architecture, construction methods, materials and sustainability.