Mobile Workshop : Alex Symes Australia

Alexander Symes, Mobile Optics Workshop, Australia : Blue Montains Master Class 2012

[ mobile : trailer : prefabricated : educational : recyclable : low energy]

Dresden Mobile, Touring Workshop, Australia

Dresden is a new eyewear company that is set to revolutionise eyewear. Dresden Mobile is a transportable workshop that will allow Dresden to revolutionise commerce by taking the product to the people, touring to remote communities, where customers can see how the product is made, lenses are cut to prescription in front of their eyes, all components of the glasses are interchangeable and recyclable.

Dresden Mobile is, therefore, an education tool to spread the word about closed loop recycling systems, glasses are made from sea waste, milk bottle tops and even land-mines. Closed loop material recycling systems are also

explored through the construction of Dresden Mobile using recycled products and fully recyclable materials.

“

use of

sustainable materials in architecture is about thinking how we can most efficiently use the worlds resources in a respectful manner, I believe we need to create closed loop manufacturing systems where no material goes to landfill or pollutes our natural ecosystems, but is rather up-cycled to minimise resource depletion and environmental degradation.”

Alexander Symes

Small Architecture

Dresden mobile is inspired by the “tiny house movement” where people started building their own homes on trailers. Dresden Mobile’s life actually started as a "tiny house" for Dresden Co-founder Bruce Jeffreys who co-founded car-share company Go-Get in 2003. Dresden Mobile is intended to double as a holiday home for Dresden staff

Operational Energy

Electricity demand to power the manufacturing equipment is quite high and is powered by a generator. The general lighting and point of sale electricity is from the in-built photovoltaic and battery storage system.

Thermal Comfort & Daylight Design

The challenge with creating transportable architecture is weight. Lightweight polycarbonate has thermal insulating qualities blocks out up-to 70% of solar radiation. The awnings tilt as a sunshade for the

workshop and allow for cross ventilation.

Materials

Dresden mobile is to be an exemplar of using re-cycled materials.

◦ Recycled hardwood the floors, decks and trims

◦ Recycled Sails for the tent screens

◦ Recycled plywood for the ceiling

◦ Recycled content polycarbonate for the facade

◦ Recycled re-board for the joinery

◦ Recycled copper for light baffles

Photography : Bret Boardman

Alexander Symes Architect

Built by Paramount Property Group

http://www.alexandersymes.com.au

OZ.E.TECTURE

architects thinking locally acting globally

www.ozetecture.org

Lindsay Johnston6 June 2017

Juan Carlos Eugene Soler : Glenn Murcutt Master Class 2001

54th Central Glass International Design Competition, Tokyo, Japan

‘Architecture That Generates New Sakariba’ - 2019

The Japanese ‘Central Glass International Design Competitions’ have been run each year since 1966. The 2019 competition attracted 188 international entries. Seven were shortlisted and Eugene’s entry was placed second.

[ theoretical proposition, metaphor, solar energy, technology, sustainability, community ]

‘MOON LANDING’

It is in our deepest primal instinct as social beings that people gather in a communal place that gives us a sense of culture and belonging. We gather around the warmth and wonder of campfire under the stars and share memories and stories. Or by day, under the cool shade of a tree- a natural place to meet a lover or exchange knowledge. Such place that delivers these conditions perhaps is the genesis of ‘Sakariba’.

The proposal is a massive balloon structure that can create and harness energy from the Sun whilst defining space underneath its volume, where people of all ages can gather to meet, play or ‘hangout’. The ‘Moon Landing’ hopes to create a central place for gathering where business and commerce are encouraged and generate ‘Sakariba’.

On a hot summer or rainy day, people can gather under its shade. On a cloudy day, the balloon structure can rise above the clouds where it can efficiently harness energy from the Sun. At night, it becomes a light source and a signal to attract people and when it descends it creates a space where people can gather around its warm glow. The ‘Moon Landing’ has all these features at the same time providing sustainable energy to its local community.

This idea is not science fiction but actually a very feasible means of efficiently combining what is currently being developed in balloon technology, sustainability, science and art. What is new is the realignment of technology to create a more poetic and meaningful purpose to reinvigoration local culture, religion, myths and stories, which is appropriate when it needs to be integrated in local communities. Especially to the 25% of the world’s population which has no or lack access to electricity. Such space offers a wonderful chance for the community to be activated, bring people together and encourage businesses and various activities.

By combining a strong metaphor with technology and sustainability- the proposal hopes to address not only the community’s basic needs but also hopes to give a deep importance and meaning in local culture and tradition to bring people together and organically for business growth and generate a ‘New Sakariba’

Moreover, in a world where we have Internet connection but seem to be ‘disconnected’- the ‘Moon Landing’ can be a benefit to existing ‘Sakariba’ not only to reduce the abundant energy we are drowning in, but also to remind us to look up and realize our place in the Universe and encourage real connection with each other.

Architect : Eugene Soler

Awards : 54th Central Glass International Design Competition _ Second Place

Web site : http://www.ateliersoler.com

OZ.E.TECTURE

architects thinking locally acting globally

www.ozetecture.org