090909 Site

Getting back to this project. The site that I have chosen is at the car park lot in front of Perth Concert Hall.

Hassell was appointed to do a feasibility study and also a proposition for the new Perth Performing Art Precinct in 2006-2007. Quote a few from the design report that they had submitted to City of Perth on the geotechnical study:

"... Worley Parsons was engaged to undertake a geotechnical study of the soil conditions within the Terrace Road car park. The investigation found that the western half of the Terrace Road car park is encumbered by a palaeochannel, which is an ancient river bed. The soil conditions over this section of the site are such that any scale of building requires piles to be driven down to the Kings Park formation, 40 metres below the existing ground level. The eastern portion of the site was found to have better soil conditions, and buildings of up to four levels could be supported without significant piling..."


Perth Performing Arts Precinct Masterplan


View from Swan River


View from Concert Hall

Basically, if the project encompasses buildings locating on the western side of the site, a minimum of 40 metres of piling has to be done in order to achieve building stability. The soil condition on the eastern side is better which can support 4-storey building without significant piling. For the project that I am doing, which is Skin as Structure in Skyscraper (SSS), I believe no matter where I put the buildings on site, the piling has to be quite significant.

The reason why I chose this site for my project because it is right at the edge of the river. Sun path is almost always on the northern side such that the shadow will only cast on the river instead of casting onto the buildings for most of the time. I will do a sun study later.

Hassell has listed several aims for the project. Their vision for the masterplan

"... is to create a world class performing arts precinct, integrated with the city fabric, providing for the ongoing needs of the state’s premier arts bodies. In this regard, the objectives are to:

— Provide for an active precinct that builds on the vitality of the City.

— Maximise locational opportunities.

— Enhance links between the City and the river foreshore.

— Provide intelligent staging and design opportunities.

— Create a safe and interesting place where people can experience all aspects of the performing arts."

It does makes sense in making the site into a new performing art precinct. But the built form and the building height is questionable. The location of the irrigation lake in the middle does makes senses in terms of connecting the river to the existing hall. However, wouldn't it be better to locate the lake on the western side since it's an ancient lake? Before answering these questions, I spotted the "landmarks" nearby the site and also modelled up the site.

The surrounding major buildings are Supreme Court, Government House, Council House and Concert Hall together with Supreme Court Garden and Stirling Garden. And of course Swan River

The site is around 120meters by 280meters.