SPATIAL EXPERIENCE, NARRATIVE & ARCHITECTURE - BYERA HADLEY REPORT 204.0 TEMPORARY ARCHITECTURE4.0TEMPORARY ARCHITECTURE4.1 Architectural Re-development projectProject: The First Church of Christ theScientist Redevelopment ProjectType:Adaptive Reuse/ RefurbishmentLocation: Liverpool Street, East SydneyArchitect: Bates Smart SydneyDirector: Simon SwaneyProject Leader: Charmaine PangCompletion date: 2011<strong>Architecture</strong> has traditionally defined itself throughpermanence. An <strong>architecture</strong> that engages withtemporary residential <strong>and</strong> mixed use environmentswithin heritage buildings is indicative of a shift inthe way we think about <strong>Architecture</strong>, the role of theArchitect, <strong>and</strong> building life cycles in Australian cities.Christophe Gerard states: “We are living in a timewhere building life cycles are speeding up. The lifeexpectancy of a building is getting shorter, <strong>and</strong> it isnow more important than ever that architects have tothink about degradation <strong>and</strong> recycling”(Gerard). 33The First Church of Christ the Scientistredevelopment project suggests how the use oftemporary construction techniques (traditionally usedfor film set construction <strong>and</strong> exhibition construction)can translate to a more enduring <strong>spatial</strong> condition as<strong>architecture</strong>.This project first came to my attention throughcolleagues at the Sydney based <strong>Architecture</strong> practiceBates Smart. It became evident that this design/construction project from my professional world inArchitectural practice was employing parallel design/construction techniques to those I had witnessedfrom the contemporary worlds of Film <strong>and</strong> Art. It isa useful case study to explore some of the practicalapplications of the theories proposed by thisresearch.The Application for Development Approval, 2011states:“The architectural intent of the proposal is for theadaptive re-use of the former ‘First Church of Christthe Scientist’ to create a single dwelling withinthe auditorium by inserting a new structure whichexpresses its temporary quality, carries its owndistinctive identity, allows the existing space <strong>and</strong>fabric to be <strong>experience</strong>d <strong>and</strong> is able to be removedwithout impact <strong>and</strong> as such will be a fully reversibleadaptive reuse.It is intended that the new insertion will enable thearchitectural <strong>and</strong> <strong>spatial</strong> qualities of the auditorium tobe fully <strong>experience</strong>d by offering unimpeded views ofthe major volume whilst maintaining the natural lightqualities within the space.The challenge for the project is not only to berespectful <strong>and</strong> subservient to the gr<strong>and</strong>eur <strong>and</strong>eloquence of the original space but also to ensurethat all is done in a manner that is fully reversible. Thegoal is that when the main space is returned to a usethat is compatible with its original purpose, all originalbuilding fabric <strong>and</strong> furniture (i.e. pews) may be readilyre-used” (S. Swaney). 34ProgramThe first <strong>and</strong> current function of this development isa family residence. The future scenario imagined forthis building will include a mix of programs including,but not limited to, residential, commercial office,art/ gallery space, event /performance space,small scale retail <strong>and</strong> hospitality. 35 The hybrid natureof this project alludes to the current simultaneityof realities of movement <strong>and</strong> occupation, <strong>and</strong>categories of program. On an urban level, thescheme has the potential to provoke various patternsof public occupation in conjunction with structured<strong>and</strong> unstructured events occurring within the siteenvelope.The client of the project advised “the task ofinhabiting this building involves asking how the spacecan be used/ how one can <strong>experience</strong> it.” 36 Theproject proposes a layered set of event spaces <strong>and</strong>occupation within the existing envelope in order to“enliven” the building. The aspiration for this spaceis to create a community model, as schematic as itis flexible, capable of plotting events, altering itself<strong>and</strong> accommodating, at the same time, exteriorcontingencies.The residential design product was not a finitesolution, but a step in the process that could bere-informed, if needed, by greater complexity <strong>and</strong>detail. Architectural performance will be judgedover time <strong>and</strong> through an experimental process.The basic conception/ambition for this project isnot just functional, typological, or technical, butfocuses rather on creating new <strong>spatial</strong> <strong>experience</strong>s,pinpointing the way in which a critical revision ofresidential <strong>and</strong> mixed-use paradigms can intersectwith contemporary culture. 37 The challenge was, <strong>and</strong>continues to be to develop an architectural designthat has the ability to index multiple sets of urb<strong>and</strong>ata relevant for the local community, <strong>and</strong> mediatebetween different conditions.1 2 3PICTURED1+2. First Church of Christ the Scientist’exterior site photo, 2011 Photographer: Marcus Clinton,2+3. ‘First Church of Christ the Scientist’interior site photo, 2011
SPATIAL EXPERIENCE, NARRATIVE & ARCHITECTURE - BYERA HADLEY REPORT 214.0 TEMPORARY ARCHITECTUREPICTURED‘First Church of Christ the Scientist’redevelopment complete,Interior photos, Jan 2012Photographer: Marcus Clinton
- Page 5 and 6: CONTENTS1.0 INTRODUCTION 062.0 CASE
- Page 7 and 8: SPATIAL EXPERIENCE, NARRATIVE & ARC
- Page 9 and 10: SPATIAL EXPERIENCE, NARRATIVE & ARC
- Page 11 and 12: SPATIAL EXPERIENCE, NARRATIVE & ARC
- Page 13 and 14: SPATIAL EXPERIENCE, NARRATIVE & ARC
- Page 15 and 16: SPATIAL EXPERIENCE, NARRATIVE & ARC
- Page 17 and 18: SPATIAL EXPERIENCE, NARRATIVE & ARC
- Page 19: SPATIAL EXPERIENCE, NARRATIVE & ARC
- Page 23 and 24: SPATIAL EXPERIENCE, NARRATIVE & ARC
- Page 25 and 26: SPATIAL EXPERIENCE, NARRATIVE & ARC
- Page 27 and 28: SPATIAL EXPERIENCE, NARRATIVE & ARC
- Page 29 and 30: SPATIAL EXPERIENCE, NARRATIVE & ARC
- Page 31: SPATIAL EXPERIENCE, NARRATIVE & ARC
Change language