Reflecting on the Australian Institute of Architects (AIA) Event - Don Watson and the Redcliffe Library
On the 20th of March, 2022 I attended an event - Don Watson and the Redcliffe Library hosted by the Australian Institute of Architects (AIA) in collaboration with the Moreton Bay Regional Council as part of the Asia Pacific Architecture Festival. Just before studying architecture at Queensland University of Technology (QUT) last year, I read about the great news of the 2021 recipient of the AIA Gold Medallist, Don Watson in my first Architecture magazine! When my friend, Shane sent me the post of this event, I didn’t have to think twice about registering for the event. The lecture by Don revolved around sustainable designs in built environments as well as consideration and reflection of cultural and climatic contexts of sites.
Architecture Australia Magazine May/Jun in 2021, issued May 2021
If you are interested in finding out more about Don Watson's story and contribution to Architecture, I highly recommend reading this issue.
I’m writing this blog post to share the key learnings and the experience attending the informative lecture as a first-year architecture student and member of SONA (Student Organised Network for Architecture). I thought it would be useful to share with other students who have similar interests.
Don Watson and the Redcliffe library
Why do we need to pay attention to sustainability?
One of the reasons that I wanted to attend the event was to learn more about sustainability and sustainable design in architecture. As Don mentioned during the lecture, we have heavily relied on mechanical cooling and heating system with the advent of air conditions and heaters. As a result, we have often resorted to designing inhabitable boxes with these mechanical systems. Consequently, It has become one of the factors which has accelerated global warming and other global climatic crises. He suggested we need to pay more attention to sustainable architectural elements that would increase natural cooling and heating, cross ventilation and so on. He introduced these elements into his Redcliffe library design: cross ventilation, natural lighting (skylights), a subfloor and biofiltration systems. As I don’t have enough knowledge yet to fully understand these elements and concepts, It gave me an understanding of what I should focus my studies on.
Cultural and site contexts
South Korea’s cityscapes, where I grew up are dominated by high-rise apartments and it seems that their designs would not need to take the cultural and site contexts into consideration. As most of the apartments’ designs are monolithic rectilinear boxes, they do not link to our cultural characteristics and stories. However, since I moved to Australia two years ago, I have seen many buildings and houses consider their cultural and site contexts. According to Don, the design of striped brick patterns in white and red ochre of the library’s facade was intended to reflect its site context and culture. Specifically, the brick patterns of the library’s facade reflect Red Cliffe cliffs and banks, implying the acknowledgement of the region's culture and context. According to one of the panels, the library is the second most visited library in Queensland. I believe that the reason for this is that the design was well-considered and acknowledged its cultural and site contexts which would provide a refuge for their community and convey the story of the region.
The image from Pulsenews shows South Korea's cityscapes.
https://pulsenews.co.kr/view.php?no=607078&year=2018
The facade of Redcliffe library featured the striped brick patterns in white and red ochre.
https://subversivereader.wordpress.com/2012/11/05/the-great-library-tour-redcliffe-library/
Red cliffs at Scarborough, Redcliffe
https://subversivereader.wordpress.com/2012/11/05/the-great-library-tour-redcliffe-library/
My opinions of the library and after-event conversations
After the lecture, Shane and I walked around to take a look at the library. I particularly liked the skylights within the reading room and it seems there would be no need for mechanical lighting during sunny days. When we went to the main entrance of the library, we saw the amazing design of rainwater treatment. For me, it looks like a giant firepit which would be considered the heart of a house, encouraging people to gather around it.
On top of that, we had a great opportunity to have a little conversation with Don Watson. The short conversation was so encouraging and inspiring. As I have been interested in sustainable design and elements, accumulating knowledge about it by reading books and articles, it seems that the short conversation proved that I am on the right track!
It also reminded me of what one of my favourite architects, Bjarke Ingels reinterpreted a famous quote “Architecture without architects” by Bernard Rudofsky in his book, Hot to Cold. He said he and his team have been interested in “Engineering without Engines” which is the concept derived from the quote by Bernard. Specifically, They have designed buildings to achieve an ultimate symbiosis between architecture and its surrounding contexts, making their buildings less dependent on machinery and mechanical systems for heating and cooling.
As well as the short conversation with Don, we met Liza Neil who is a principal architect at Moreton bay regional council and one of the coordinators of the event. What she said encouraged us as young architecture students to attend more about events and lectures hosted by AIA!
A photo taken after the short inspiring conversation with Don Watson
A sneak peek of Hot to cold written by Bjarke Ingels
What the event taught me
By attending the event, I learnt an important thing that I really want to share with my peer students or international students who are studying architecture in Australia like me.
As I mentioned above, I am from South Korea where English is not a native language. I have seen some international students who are afraid of attending this kind of event or lecture because of their level of English. I should say it is okay to not fully understand the contents. Or if you are a native English speaker, it is a bonus for you to acquire the contents easily.
Personally, I think that the most important thing is that by attending the events, you could find the starting points and take key lessons where you should focus studying on. You could also connect with experienced architects or experts who could give or help you find the starting point in the events. On top of that, you could share your interests, enthusiasms and attitudes towards learning architecture and sustainability (in this case) with other experienced people by attending similar events or any events that you are interested in.
I am looking forward to attending other events hosted by AIA to learn more about architecture!
