Project 1 - Concept

As adults we are tied down with responsibilities, constantly thinking about the task at hand. Stress takes control of us and life becomes that little bit harder. At which point one misses the simple times of childhood.

Brisbane is a city that never stops and is constantly in motion. Its Bustling streets, its overcrowded public transport system gives the impression of constantly being forced along as though if you where to stop for a minute the world would leave you behind.  A simple train trip allows no break from the surrounds instead one is packed in like sardines and is on constant alert as to not miss their stop.

The streets people walk at such a pace with not a care about those around them, their total focus being on reaching the end of their destination. For what purpose? To start all over again with a new task, a new destination, a new stress. When does one get a chance to stop and relax.

The see-saw is an architectural Folie, designed around the concept of recapturing that child hood, care free nature that is rarity in today’s society (Even if it is only for a moment).

The see-saw is located at Howard Smith Wharf, at the base of the storey bridge. The area is sheltered from the fast paced city that surrounds it. Nestled into the cliff face it provides the perfect space to stop for a minute without feeling guilty about that task you really should be working on. However even with these unique qualities people continue to speed past to their destination.

 For this reason I chose to focus my design around a child’s see-saw giving it a more adult appearance and practicality, but with the same playful, carefree feeling that the classic seesaw possessed as a child.

The design is split into two separate areas, consisting of 8 moving seating blocks that are connected through a system of pullies and counter weights. The 2 areas are separated by the walking path in order to force people to interact with it. It’s simple yet unusually shape adds a sense of intrigue, forcing the surrounding public to give it a try.

Even if the user only stops for a minute to experience the Folie than the design has achieved its purpose because that person has forgot what they were focusing on and for that one minute and allowed their inner child to take control and remind them that they are allowed to stop and just be in the moment.