Architecture - Honours

THE MORPH

The Morph is a place provided for people in Queensland to visit, formulate, engage in activities, and discuss. This innovative building could bring people a new concept and vision for democracy. Powerful symbols of independence, dialogue, freedom, diversity and transparency are translated into the design which indicates and involves people in Queensland to view the reinvigorated democracy throughout this contemporary building.

Catherine Chu

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Hall of Democracy

The design goal is to form a better perspective of democracy in Brisbane's community, inspiring visitors within the building to explore boundlessly. Effect of transparency fabric speaks the design language, as the concept of ‘process of communication’ and the outcome of ‘consensus’ was reflected through the choices of the structure, form and material of the entire building. The purpose of the design is to create a stimulatingly character of an active and lively democracy that is integrated within the previous vision and innovative sighting in Brisbane.

Design Concept

The design goal is to form a better perspective of democracy in Brisbane’s community, inspiring visitors within the building to explore boundlessly. Effect of transparency fabric speaks the design language, as the concept of ‘process of communication’ and the outcome of ‘consensus’ was reflected through the choices of the structure, form and material of the entire building. The purpose of the design is to create a stimulatingly character of an active and lively democracy that is integrated within the previous vision and innovative sighting in Brisbane.
The Luxfer Prism system in triangle structured façade embodies the symbol of independence, which indicates a sense of inflexibility that represents the stereotypical relationship between the public and government. The form of triangle shows the dissimilarity in people’s opinions that builds hardness within their conversations just as it is on the exterior of the building. Metal mesh is the chosen hero material for the representation of transparency, enabling a sense of semi-privacy. Glass boxes in the middle of the buildings show the conflict in people’s conversations.

Concept Diagram

FACADE

The Luxfer Prism system in triangle structured façade embodies the symbol of independence, which indicates a sense of inflexibility that represents the stereotypical relationship between the public and government. The form of triangle shows the dissimilarity in people’s opinions that builds hardness within their conversations just as it is on the exterior of the building. Metal mesh is the chosen hero material for the representation of transparency, enabling a sense of semi-privacy. Glass boxes in the middle of the buildings show the conflict in people’s conversations.
Hot air at each level rises through the atrium and exits from the metal mesh and curtain wall. The glazed louvres on the roof panel remain operable. This design feature promotes sustainability as it eliminates the need for an externally powered cooling system. The process of communication then begins to transform when people start to negotiate and agree on similar perspectives, the conversation becomes fixable. Thus, the symbol of dialogue and freedom was delivered through the organic structured ramp that connects throughout the hall within the interior, which are representatives of the transformation of people’s dialogues from hard to soft - a ‘process of communication’. The ramp of the Hall shows a sense of flexibility to clear the confliction of democracy across the form of organic. The rooftop garden on level 2 of the building allows visitors to gather and share the space together. The transparency dome above the garden represents the design goal of ‘consensus’. Through the use of transparency, the design of the Hall of Democracy directs the visitors through a journey from the exterior of individuals to an interior of a connected community.

AXONOMETRIC DIAGRAM

PASSIVE DESIGN
Hot air at each level rises through the atrium and exits from the metal mesh and curtain wall. The glazed louvres on the roof panel remain operable. This design feature promotes sustainability as it eliminates the need for an externally powered cooling system.

LEVELS / ORGANIC FORM RAMP
The process of communication then begins to transform when people start to negotiate and agree on similar perspectives, the conversation becomes fixable. Thus, the symbol of dialogue and freedom was delivered through the organic structured ramp that connects throughout the hall within the interior, which are representatives of the transformation of people’s dialogues from hard to soft – a ‘process of communication’. The ramp of the Hall shows a sense of flexibility to clear the confliction of democracy across the form of organic.

ROOFTOP COMMUNITY GARDEN
The rooftop garden on level 2 of the building allows visitors to gather and share the space together. The transparency dome above the garden represents the design goal of ‘consensus’. Through the use of transparency, the design of the Hall of Democracy directs the visitors through a journey from the exterior of individuals to an interior of a connected community.

Floor Plan

Design Drawings and Model

Catherine Chu

Catherine has had a strong passion for design since young. She is majoring in Architecture followed by Interior Design. She believes that design as an architect is a sense of structure, craft and art. Most importantly, the design process is equally important as the outcome. Catherine has been recognised for her high level of motivation and the ability of solving problems to create a better environment for the society, piece by piece. The enjoyment of transforming innovative ideas to life is Catherine's driving force.