HOWARD SMITH WHARVES.
Originally constructed in conjunction with the Story Bridge, the Howard Smith Wharves were previously occupied by the Howard Smith Company from which they gained their name. Consisting of a number of storage sheds, the site has been vacant since the 1960's and is currently up for redevelopment.
(Information sourced from: http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/planning-building/current-planning-projects/urban-design-projects/howard-smith-wharves/site-history/index.htm)
Video captured 05/03/13 while aboard a CityCat.
Journey to the Site.
Upon travelling to the proposed site for the project, which is the Howard Smith Wharves, a number of elements within the urban fabric of the city caught my attention. I chose to travel to the site from QUT Gardens Point, taking a route through the botanical gardens and along the Brisbane river, past Eagle Street pier and Riverside Centre.
We also took a City Cat past the site, as this provided a different and key perspective and view of the area.
The first thing i noticed was the array of boat sheds and shelters along the opposite side of the river.
I found these structures to be particularly interesting because of the manner in which they extend out over the river and create an interesting relationship along the rivers edge. While providing shelter and a vantage point from which to view the city, i found some of these structures, although weather beaten and flood damaged to be very adapt to their location.
The second thing that caught my attention while travelling towards the site, was the relationship between the site at ground level, and the the Story Bridge high above it.
I found this relationship interesting because it created an interesting space and gave the site a unique character. Not only do the existing structures integrate well with the bridge support columns but they also give the site a historical feel and character.
The final notable moment along the journey to the site, was when we passed beneath the Story Bridge.
This was something i had never done before, and i had only ever come into close contact with the bridge while in a vehicle passing over it. I found the steel structure of the bridge to be very interesting and in particular the lattice of beams that form the underside of it.
It was also worth noting that on the way to the site, we happened to pass a fair number of people exercising along the river. Whether they were running, walking, or cycling, it became clear that this was a favourable route to take.
The Site Itself.
We also took a City Cat past the site, as this provided a different and key perspective and view of the area.
The first thing i noticed was the array of boat sheds and shelters along the opposite side of the river.
I found these structures to be particularly interesting because of the manner in which they extend out over the river and create an interesting relationship along the rivers edge. While providing shelter and a vantage point from which to view the city, i found some of these structures, although weather beaten and flood damaged to be very adapt to their location.
The second thing that caught my attention while travelling towards the site, was the relationship between the site at ground level, and the the Story Bridge high above it.
I found this relationship interesting because it created an interesting space and gave the site a unique character. Not only do the existing structures integrate well with the bridge support columns but they also give the site a historical feel and character.
The final notable moment along the journey to the site, was when we passed beneath the Story Bridge.
This was something i had never done before, and i had only ever come into close contact with the bridge while in a vehicle passing over it. I found the steel structure of the bridge to be very interesting and in particular the lattice of beams that form the underside of it.
It was also worth noting that on the way to the site, we happened to pass a fair number of people exercising along the river. Whether they were running, walking, or cycling, it became clear that this was a favourable route to take.
The Site Itself.
Upon arriving at the site, my initial thought was regarding how large it was. Having never traversed through the area before and having only seen the site from a distance, i was taken aback by its size and the nature of the landscape that surrounds it.
Access onto the site itself was restricted, so we were forced to make to with whatever vantage points we could find around it, so please excuse the fact that the majority of my photos only show parts of the site.
The elongated and organic shape of the site was another aspect i found intriguing. The manner in which it engaged with the river bank, sometimes encroaching out over the river, was another interesting aspect, as are the steep cliffs that form the back of the site. I had not fully gained an appreciation of the height of these cliffs until visiting the site, as satellite images and contour maps simply do not convey the information effectively.
I believe the Wharves are a site bursting with potential and that they would be a prime location for an interaction node such as is being proposed.
Surroundings of the Site.
Bordered by steep cliffs and the river, the site is somewhat isolated from the rest of the city. However, there are both footpaths and roads that run along the top of the site and access is via a service road along the bottom left edge of the site.
The site is surrounded by high rise commercial office buildings along the Eagle street stretch of the river and smaller apartment buildings and a more residential urban fabric atop the cliffs and towards New Farm. The pedestrian path that runs along the riverfront abruptly comes to an end at the Wharves as a portion of it was damaged and washed away during the devastating 2011 floods. However, this path is still heavily used by pedestrians and cyclists, and is a key facility for office workers wanting exercise during their lunch breaks.
Other somewhat notable elements of the immediate surroundings of the site include a City Cycle rack, located just to the right of the Story Bridge, above the site as well as a small park which doubles as an excellent lookout.
One particularly interesting element that was discovered were the two Lifeline phones, located on either side of the Story Bridge, above the Wharves. Positioned to attract the attention of would be suicide victims, i found these phones and the service they provide, attempting to talk would be suicide victims out of killing themselves, particularly unique and interesting.
This could possibly hold some potential as a concept behind the interaction node, and providing counselling or a similar service could be something that may need to be looked into a bit further.
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