The city walk was the first workshop conducted for DAB525. The aim was to apply the theoretical content exposed to in the lecture on our perception of the city. We started at QUT and made our way to the bridges, stopping at points along the way, trying to ide storey ntify interfaces between different conditions in the city.
Stop 1- Botanic Gardens
Upon entering the botanic gardens it is obvious there will be two 'edges', one upon entering and one upon exiting. The paths are set up in a way that either bypass around the exterior of focus on a central point within the gardens. The centre pavilion ( where the below image was sketched from) has a very dominant orientation towards the city centre. The paths converge on this point and the focus towards the gates at the intersection of Albert and Alice St.
Alice St
It is hard not to notice the dominant alignment between the botanic gardens centre and Alice St, all th way through to Queen St mall. While there are carious obstacles throughout his space the dominant roofing structure designed by Bligh Voller Nield (BVN) sits high in the sky above the intersection of Albert and Queen, a clear landmark easily identifiable from various points in the city.
Stop 2- Queen Street Mall
Queen Street Mall is what I consider to be the foremost pedestrian hub in the CBD. One reason for this is its location within the city, not only is it centrally situated but also sits at a crest, which provides pedestrians with a vantage point with which to observes adjacent streets. The pre-eminence of Queen Street mall is ensured by its connection to Victoria bridge, the sole cross-river road link for many years. Further, it provides the address for some of the states finest public buildings including the treasury building, the general post office and the customs house. The newer structures in the mall are thin, transparent and intricate compared to the original sandstone buildings. They offer a shifting sense of scale within the space of the street and are enlivened by the articulation of element of their structure, enclosure and signage. A meandering path flows between these structures which assists with pedestrian orientation and movement. BVN roof structure acts as a node in the city centre and signals a division of streets, however the soaring design enables continuous line of sight from king george square all the way to the botanic gardens.
Stop 3- King George Square
King George Square (KGS sits on the other side of Queen St Mall to the botanic gardens, still on the same axis of Albert St. The most dominant feature of KGS is brisbane city hall, a landmark in the city CBD. However, BCH is not the landmark it used to be, where it used to be the tallest building in the city it is now dwarfed n almost every side by new skyscrapers. The new design of KGS, considered by some to be bland, leaves a space from which the dominance of BCH can be admired and accessed. The BCh also acts as a memorial, representing some famous Queenslanders in an area called 'speakers corner'.
Stop 4- ANZAC Square
ANZAC square lays amongst some of the most iconic landmarks and memorials in Brisbane. Not only odes it contain the 'shrine of remembrance' and the 'eternal flame of remembrance', but many other war memorials n which Queenslander's where involved. The square also sits on the same axis as central station and Post Office Square, both landmarks in their own right. Together these two squares create a great open space within the CBD and a vital pedestrian thoroughfare.
Stop 5- Cathedral Square
Unlike most of the squares in Brisbane this square has roads on 3 out of 4 sides, and this being the first time I have had the chance to sit here, I must say it feels like a very awkward and uncomfortable area. In saying this, the outward facing views very impressive, looking towards the elegant cathedrals n the other side of the street. It also seems there is very little pedestrian traffic other than from the workers in the adjacent building. The sail like structure in the centre of the square casts quite alot of shade across the space, however there is minimal seating in which to take advantage f it. There is little in the square that helps to define the CBD.
Stop 6- Howard Smith Wharves
From where we first accessed the river on this walk (near eagle street) up until the wharves is some of my favourite riverside spaces in the city. Apart from southbank, the boardwalks and paths that flow along the river adjacent to the botanic gardens and eagle street are perhaps the most well treated in the city. One example is the comparison of brisbane square and the riverside centre, which opens up to the pedestrian flow and river front, whereas Brisbane square has a danky underground elevator that sits hidden in the shadows. Howard Smith WHarves itself is eclipsed by the monumental landmark that is the Storey Bridge. The site has been used recently as little more than a thoroughfare, but its prime location an size means that it has the opportunity to someday be an area of cultural importance to brisbane, While it does have significant heritage for the area (Wharves, air-raid shelters), I believe many people have lost touch with its importance, and a historically sensitive development may help to rejuvenate the area.
