Sydney has been a maritime city from its inception; with a connection to the water that is deeply entrenched in our culture. Mort Bay has played an integral role in the cities maritime history, which the Balmain Boat Building and Sailing School intends to revive by choosing it as the organisations new home.
Hence the structure aims to celebrate this history and connection to the water, learning and adapting from the key qualities of maritime architecture - particularly the sailing boat. This vessel has played an important role in Sydney’s recreational history and has been a tool to develop the next generation of sailors. Key architectural concepts of operability, economy, manipulation and adaptability embodied within the vessel have been explored to create a functional yet poetic structure.
The structure emphasises movement through circulation, with its spatial organisation encouraging a ritual procession from land to sea. The layered operable elements imbed a tactile involvement, responsibility and control within the architecture referencing the connection a sailor has with his boat - resulting in a stronger relationship and understanding of space, adaptability and the environment. The building is intended to be a living structure, with the act of navigating the climate, movement of people and changes in use being the lifeblood of the structure.
This project embodies a particular perspective towards the built environment - one that expresses the importance of an architecture that adapts. As apart of this studio we were also asked to form our own written manifesto towards architecture (see portfolio below).
