Beyond Aesthetics
harnessing the collaborative problem-solving power of Art, Architecture and Design.
unity to address community challenges, drive innovation and be a catalyst for positive change.
Event Sponsor :
Location :
Artisan
Year:
2023
In a first for Brisbane Art and Design, Assemble Brisbane is partnering with Artisan in bringing together the Brisbane Art, Architecture and Design community to demonstrate the collective power of creative intellect in solving an unsolvable problem brought to them by the Brisbane City Council (BCC).
During a half-day workshop, Artists, Architects, and Designers will come together to apply their creative problem-solving skills to solve a real-world problem the BCC has all but put into the too-hard basket.
The workshop will ask participants to resolve a specific challenge question with the aim of having viable concepts ready to present to the BCC at the end of the session.
The workshop will give participants an opportunity to work with other like-minded creative practitioners from different disciplines and demonstrate to the broader community the value of engaging with Brisbane’s Art, Architecture and Design comm
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Group One
Assemble Facilitator: Roz de Waal McKenzie
Team: Beck Davis, Nicholas Kamols, Ili Bone, Charlotte Fitzgerald
Angela Timbs, Sharka Bosakova
Project Name: Lightmark
The Lightmark project aims to turn the Reservoirs in Brisbane into a visible and connected landmark, highlighting its heritage value.
This will be achieved through the use of light and accessibility, making the Reservoirs a place to see and to see from. The project also emphasizes the elements of water, wind, earth, and fire, with the practical implementation being phased to ensure feasibility and community uptake.
The project will involve removing earth around the site, creating an inverse mass in glass, and using solar paths to create light artworks in the caverns. The end result will be a sustainable and ever-changing space that offers self-discovery, reflection, and unique views of the CBD.
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The project named Lightmark aims to create a landmark in Brisbane - the Reservoirs - a mostly hidden and unknown heritage wonder, should be celebrated and made more connected and visible.
To make the reservoirs visible and accessible for all, to connect the significant space into the life of the area and city, to make a space that is self-discoverable and able to be activated, to make the unknown hidden reservoirs a land mark and light mark, adding to the city scape and creating new vantage points from which to see and to see.
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All Ages, Abilities and Cultural Backgrounds The Cityscape
The concepts of visibility and connectivity are key - visible & accessible for and to all - the peoples of BNE and the city scape itself - by making it not only a landmark, but a Lightmark, a place to see and to see from. connectivity of the space is both self-discoverable and able to be activated. can be reached by culturally and heritage activated tunnel from CBD Other guiding concepts were elemental: water - the history for the space ( this should be highlighted by adding it back in ) wind ( the windmill ) earth ( what we are removing to make visible and connected - tunnel) and fire ( the sun - the way to light up the reservoir in a sustainable way )
Concepts / Ideas
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Group Two
Assemble Facilitator: Chris de Waal McKenzie
Team: Cassandra Lehman, David Shaw, Franz Du Plessis, Julia Lebiocka & Paul Schwarz
Project Name: The Wells
The Wells is a project that aims to transform the Reservoirs in Brisbane into a creative space for artists.
The space will serve as a hub and market for local artisans, designers, and makers, providing a space for people of all ages, abilities, and cultural backgrounds to foster creativity and curiosity in art, design, and craft. It will offer opportunities to see, do, play, and learn while promoting collaboration and innovation.
The project will celebrate local heritage, showcase locally-made products, and provide emerging artists and designers a platform to showcase their work. Inclusivity is a priority, with a space that fosters creativity and inspires people to learn new skills and explore their passions.
The project will create 10 studios for artists and connect the two reservoirs with a central corridor. The hill will be opened up, allowing access to the reservoirs from the ground level, rather than from above moving down.
The Wells project aims to provide a transformative space that fosters creativity and provides emerging artists with a platform to showcase their work.
Ultimately, the project aims to be a transformative space where people can create, learn, and inspire each other.
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What
• Creative Hub - Workshop Gallery & 10 Studios
• Sculpture Garden Entrance
• Make / Do / See
Why
• Celebrate and put on show Brisbane’s heritage & cultural diversity.
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Who
• All Ages, Abilities and Cultural Backgrounds
• Artists, Makers, Designers
How
• Creating a place for people see, do and learn. Develop an ecosystem ( coffee shop/community centre / market ) to bring the community together regularly.
Concepts / Ideas
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Group Three
Assemble Facilitator: Caroline Austin
Team: Paul Turey, Frankie Young, Sean Poh, Natalia Elkina.
Project: Climate Aqua
The Climate Aqua Garden Project aims to promote education, and engagement, and mitigate urban heat by creating a cooling system that utilises reclaimed water in the Spring Hill area.
The project will engage communities of all ages, abilities, and cultural backgrounds, providing a space for sustainable environmental practices.
The existing site will be modified to include a water foundation that circulates water through the existing infrastructure, connected to the reservoir. This cooling system will absorb excess heat from the Spring Hill area and be complemented by educational and engagement activities on sustainable environment practices.
The Climate Aqua Garden Project seeks to create a sustainable and interactive environment that addresses urban heat while promoting sustainable practices in the community.
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What
• Create a microclimate in one space with trees and water
• Remove the roof + replace it with glass to get light in
• Connect pipes to surroundings buildings + use it to cool the buildings
• Re-enact the gold coast creek spillway reservoir to showcase the area - see plans
Why
• Urban Heat is a major problem which needs addressing going forward
• Education / Cultural Hub / Cool Duty Engagement
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Who
• Climate Aqua Garden
• Sub Tropical Aqua Garden
• Imursive Subtropical
Cooling Experience Model
Concepts / Ideas
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Group Four
Assemble Facilitator: Professor Lisa Scharoun
Team : Chris Miller, Bec Mclean,Alex Du Plessis, Jo McCallum, Maria Cavendish
Project: Conserve-a-tree Brisbane
Conserve-a-tree Brisbane is an innovative project that aims to create an Urban Forest by transforming the Reservoirs in Spring Hill into a multi-zoned environment filled with natural plants.
The project draws inspiration from renowned precedents and aims to provide a sensory experience while promoting community regeneration.
The Urban Forest will educate visitors about climate change, the importance of natural heritage, and the role of trees in sustaining a healthy environment.It will also emphasise mental and environmental well-being by creating a space for growth, regrowth, and circularity.
Conserve-a-tree Brisbane envisions a transformative space that contributes to climate education, community regeneration, and promoting a sustainable and harmonious relationship with the environment.
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What
• Living Research Project
• Impact, Knowledge & Public Engagement
Why
• Tourism : Destination Experience / How much $$$ Does Art + Culture Make
• Practical Reality Researchers on-site / Data collection / Like Dream machine London
• Fields of Research: Ecology / Mental Health / Food Security / Public health / Immersive Tech / Digital Craft / Built Environment
• Data Collection: User metrics / Forest / Food Production / Climate Crisis / Health & Wellbeing
• Practical Research : Maker-space / Material use / Circular / Reflection
Through making / Health & Wellbeing
• Public / Private: Cultural exchange / Management / Funding models
Who / How
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Concepts / Ideas
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Group Five
Assemble Facilitator : Megan Rodgers
Team : Alex McDonald, Issac Kong, Josh Tregenza, Gavin Brodie, Galyna McLellan
Project Name : The Creative Reservoir
The Creative Reservoir is a revitalization project for the Spring Hill Reservoirs that aims to create a collaborative community space where people of all ages, abilities, and cultural backgrounds can learn, experiment, and create.
The project incorporates ideas such as the Jazz Lounge, Immersive Theatre, Hydroponic Garden, and Community Hall/Cultural Hub, providing a platform for artistic expression and knowledge-sharing.
Inspired by the Queensland Men’s Shed Association, the project fosters intergenerational learning and promotes the preservation and transfer of traditional crafts.
It celebrates diversity, inclusivity, and cultural exchange, ensuring that people of all backgrounds can actively participate and contribute to the vibrant atmosphere of the Spring Hill precinct. The Creative Reservoir revitalizes the disused space and brings people together through common interests and community-led activations, promoting environmental awareness, healthy living, and the importance of local food production.
The site will be modified to connect the existing structures.
Reservoirs 1 will focus on artistic expression and collaborative community space.
Reservoir 2 will be modified to include a plaza at the roof level that connects both reservoirs. There will be underground access and a terraced garden around the site.
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What
• The creative reservoir is a collaborative community space for people to learn, experiment and create.
• Comprised of market space people to access creative resources, create art, and showcase on a community scale.
Why
• To Bring together community across generations to share knowledge in an artistic setting.
• To provide purpose to a disused space through common interest and community-led activation.
• To bridge the financial gap between cost of living and access to creative resources
Who / How
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Concepts/Ideas
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