Week 7: Programme

This folly, has no particular use. It is only architecture. In the end it has many uses.

Florian Beigel, Philip Christou (2013)

What can this folly be used for?

Although the purpose for my design is that there is no designated programme, I want my design to be created in a way where the public could take it upon themselves to decide how to use the space. For this to work, I have to take into consideration the size of my design, and the accessibility for these purposes to work.

Small Scale Programme

Sitting, Relaxing

I will be providing seating in some form to the folly, to let the public take a break from city life and enjoy the view, or simply provide more seating within the city. Sometimes it is difficult to find a place in the city where you want to sit and chat with your friends, without having to make a purchase to sit in a cafe, or restaurant.

Walkway, Travelling through Fort Lane

Entering the folly to and out of Fort Lane (through Customs Street) is like entering a threshold of moving from the urban life to a cinematic, as if you temporarily took a pause from reality. The folly gives the viewer to explore their surroundings, and be encouraged to watch their step, whether it is to climb stairs, or walk down an incline, while keeping an eye out for any gaps in the flooring.

Viewing Platform

From my original idea, the folly could be used as a viewing platform, gaining a new perspective of the city from above. Like the walkway perspective, it encourages viewers to look not just through vertical viewpoints, but also horizontal viewpoints, so that you can view the city through a different lens.

Large Scale Programme

Large scale programmes may have to be located above the “Hi Well” store due to weight, because I found it difficult to check if scaffolding will be strong enough to hold crowds & facilities.

Gastronomical/Commercial

Inspired by the La Concordia: Amphitheatre (2020), I would like my folly to have a programme that was beneficial to the residents of Auckland, beyond small scale programmes. Because of my minor studies in Urban Practices, I wanted to create a project where small businesses were still able to thrive by giving them exposure & a platform for their businesses. Due to the pandemic, businesses have been struggling to make ends meet, leading to them closing down or letting go of employees.

The gastronomical aspect of the programme relates to one of my initial ideas of the public enjoying their meals above the city, while also letting food businesses thrive. The amount of exposure to Fort Lane could also encourage visitors to visit other restaurants on Fort Lane, such as Everybody’s, Angus Steakhouse, The Jeffersons, and Snickel Lane.

Performance, Busking

Similar to the idea of small businesses gaining exposure, I thought that giving performers and buskers a stage to perform their acts would enhance the cinematic experience in Fort Lane, by the visual and/or audio aspect that often seemed lacking in the lane. Providing the space for this would give performers the choice to be in the spotlight, or on the street, where people often have to walk around them.

Event Space, Venue

In the summer it is more viable to hold events outdoors, much like how events are often held on rooftops. Like the Gastronomical/Commercial programme, large scale programmes may have to be located on the store rooftop. Visitors transition from moving from the urban to their own space, by walking into the folly to reach the rooftop. The folly acts as a threshold between the public to private.

Peer Review

After a video call with my friends, they suggested that my design could be more modular by having it move down Fort Lane over the three months:
First month (December): Fort Street entrance
Second month (January): Fort Lane
Third month (February): Custom Street entrance
The purpose for this is to gain a new perspective/view of Fort Lane every month, instead of having the same view throughout the three months. I think this works very well with my design, as some of the views I want highlighted are difficult to achieve when my design is located in only one location.

To add on to this, I was also given the idea that my design could be built slowly over the three month period, where the first month my design is smaller, second month could have additional levels, then final month would be “completed”. I thought this idea was very strong as it emphasises Auckland and its urban growth, where it is constantly in construction and evolving.