Task 8 – Construction and Materials

Peter Qian

‘LIGHT’ FRAMED BUILDINGS

Materials

· Generally has glass, exposed steel columns, timber and even concrete (rarely)

Structure

· Has curved surfaces

· Irregular shapes

· Generally appear to be flowing and not enclosed

· The 3 appear to get smaller from the base as you get higher

· Many also appear to be floating

Most light buildings appear to greatly utilize natural light and have large voids of space inside. The 3 I chose also appear light to their surroundings as they stand out from their relatively flat surroundings of water, pavement or road.

London City Hall

Sydney Opera House

Macquarie Park Train Station

‘HEAVY’ MASONRY BUILDINGS

Materials

· Generally brick, concrete and stone including marble, granite, sandstone and limestone.

Structure

· Has lots of flat surfaces

· Regular geometric shapes in uniform and alignment to each other

· Enclosed with vertical and horizontal lines

· Appears rigid and solid

These 3 have consistent colours throughout the buildings. They’re all relatively dominant in their surroundings. They’re either extensively ornately decorated or very plain.

Sydney Masonic Centre

Sydney Masonic Centre

Buildings around Quadrangle

‘LIGHT’ AND ‘HEAVY’ CONTRASTING BUILDINGS

Sydney Uni Aquatic Centre

· It has solid brick walls that give a heavy impression but also has light trusses that span across the top of the roof.

· The large windows and ceiling moon windows open up the building.

Abercrombie Building

· Building has tonnes of mass and volume and does have some concrete on the exterior.

· Also has a multitude of colours and lots of large glass windows although they are covered by a large timber slat façade

· Building has both flat and curved surfaces

· It utilises many materials such as concrete, timber, glass and steel.