BACKGROUND:
This was one of the first actual design based project we did (it was the final project for semester one) in first year. We looked at a very particular costal landscape with strong physical features which was greatly influenced by the elements, particularly the impact of the sea in the form of waves, tides, currents and storms.
The influence of humans using the coast as a place of work or leisure and the changing demand of society have all had significant impacts on our costal landscape and this site is typical of many such coves dotted around the Irish coastline.
The particular cove chosen for this project was the small cove of Ballymacaw (which is situated halfway between Dunmore East and Tramore about 12KM from Waterford City).
The cove is deep-set and provides shelter from the open seas and is thus a popular location for summer visitors who wish to escape the busy resorts of Tramore and Dunmore East to find peace and tranquillity in beautiful surroundings.
At the moment there are no facilities of any kind for these visitors apart from a narrow access rd. that ends with a large turning circle.
BRIEF:
Observe and analysis the site so that you get an understanding of it and its environ.
Study the sites physical characteristics, its geology, its history and discover if there are any traces there of prior human intervention, together with the more fundamental impact of the weather and tides.
Observe measure and draw the site to analyze, investigate and better understand the nature of this place.
The aim is to provide an integrated landscaping plan for the site incorporating facilities for visitors, the only requirement is a disabled access composting type toilet and then an activity of your choice, like: picnic area, outdoor shower area, parking area, seating etc.
NOTES:
The initial concept of the activity for the visitors, was this idea of a small podium that one could step up into and open up an easel and paint the landscape, but as it developed it seemed too contrived and too unnatural in its context, rather than supplying an interesting juxtaposition with the landscape. So I let the original concept sketch (the white pencil on the black background) reign it back into what it always intended to be; simply a viewing platform, for one to quietly reflect or just take in the view.
NOTES:
My key locations were based on site integration and site juxtaposition; I wanted to integrate the composting toilet into the existing fabric, I decided to use stone gabions for the construction as there was an already existing gabion wall that ran perpendicular to the bridge (underneath it), and I wanted the activity – viewing platform – to cantilever off one of the highest, furthest points of the site.
NOTES:
The materiality of the viewing platform was extremely important, and is what would eventually drive it to its conclusive design, based on location and precedence. I wanted a really natural organic slab of rough hewn stone jutting out over the edge of the cliff; juxtaposed (in its cantilevered pretence), yet - because of its materiality – visibly integrated into its surroundings. The thick, green-tinted glass and the large exposed steel fixings; clearly illustrate the ‘man-made’ aspect of it and make an interesting contrast to the stone.
The materiality of the viewing platform was extremely important, and is what would eventually drive it to its conclusive design, based on location and precedence. I wanted a really natural organic slab of rough hewn stone jutting out over the edge of the cliff; juxtaposed (in its cantilevered pretence), yet - because of its materiality – visibly integrated into its surroundings. The thick, green-tinted glass and the large exposed steel fixings; clearly illustrate the ‘man-made’ aspect of it and make an interesting contrast to the stone.
NOTES:
The design for the compost-type toilet was designed in the same vein as the activity piece (viewing platform), in that I wanted the materials to drive the design, and again I wanted to use a material in its natural state. The construction was inspired by a nearby existing gabion wall, which I thought would help further connect it to the site. The integration of the toilet was extremely important; I didn’t want it to be so obviously noticeable (or obviously a toilet), , so I integrated the inside gabion wall into the large mound of earth (that separates the turn-about and the beach), and had the green vegetation atop it spill down onto the roof of the toilet, to further mould it into the mound as a whole, while the inherent nature of the gabion cages themselves, neatly collecting the mass of rocks, clearly shows the ‘man-made’ infliction on the site.
NOTES:
On the left: are site sections and a panoramic view with the viewing platform in the background.
On the right: are the site plans of the Toilet and The Activity; dotted in red.
On the left: are site sections and a panoramic view with the viewing platform in the background.
On the right: are the site plans of the Toilet and The Activity; dotted in red.
NOTES:
The Viewing Platform.
NOTES:
The composting-type toilet.
The model shows the inside Gabion wall set into the earth mound, with the vegetation of the mound spilling down onto the roof of the toilet.
