Collage to Reality

This project started with a visit to Petersham Park to get a feel for the landscape and environment. Inspired by the trip, I created four abstract collages using random, free-form shapes to explore different visual layouts. By selecting and developing one of these collages, I was able to translate those flat shapes into a three-dimensional building. The final design focuses on a balance of open and closed spaces, creating areas that feel cozy and private alongside areas that open up completely to the park scenery.

I chose this specific collage because it was the one with the most potential for a real building design. Its layout gave me the best opportunity to experiment with different shapes and play around with the form. It also made it easier to create a good balance of negative space (empty, open areas) and solid space (closed-in rooms) throughout the design.

At this stage, I started thinking about how to convert my abstract collage into a functional, useful building design. To do this, I began developing the concept by making a small physical sketch model. Creating this model allowed me to see the shapes in three dimensions, helping me figure out how to push the design even further and refine the spaces.

In this render, I have placed the final design directly into its actual site context. I chose to use a black-and-white tone for the background environment to create a strong contrast against the building. By doing this, the background stays subtle while the colors, materials, and details of the design itself immediately catch the viewer's eye.

At this stage, I started breaking the design down into a mix of negative and solid spaces to create a nice contrast between each floor. I made the open, exposed floors narrower than the closed-in floors. This structural choice allowed me to keep a strong visual connection back to the original paper collage I made at the very beginning of the project.