JING.
TZE.
MOCA,
ST. KILDA
WHAT
Museum of Contemporary Art
WHERE
St. Kilda, Victoria
WHEN
Master Degree Design Thesis
The research for this thesis project is to study how architecture can explore or capture the situation and moment in the static built form and to promote or encourage the motion of suspense within the built environment. Since a century ago, St. Kilda has become an important leisure attraction spot since after the opening of Luna Park and Palais Theatre. Luna Park is renowned as a historical amusement park which gives the sense of thrill through its height, speed and acceleration, while Palais Theatre is a home to the annual films festivals, such as St. Kilda Film Festival and Melbourne Underground Film Festival.
Historical Background
Site Analysis
Location Plan
The proposed project is located adjacent to the Palais Theatre and Luna Park project, sandwiched between urban blocks and parkland. Previously the site was a dance hall named Palais De Danse, which had been destroyed during a fire in year 1972.
It was then transformed into an open air car park which does not add any quality of public realm. For this, a contemporary art museum is proposed with the intention to relink the missing connection, creating a strong relationship in between and also to strengthen the place identity as an entertainment district. The museum intends to enhance the continuation of the historical identity and the notion of suspense from Luna Park and Palais Theatre.
Design Process
The foreshore became a vibrant seaside entertainment precinct and this function has become part of the area’s acknowledged character and heritage such as Palais Theatre, Luna Park, St. Kilda Pier, St. Kilda Sea Bath and Catani Garden. Hence, the location of the site increases its potential in enhancing the valued identity of the St. Kilda. As St. Kilda was known for its culture of bohemianism and a home for prominent artist, the site is suitable for an art gallery which not only displaying the modern art collection, but also promote a distinct and vibrant atmosphere to the triangle.
Design Strategy
The main materials for the design are concrete, timber and glass, all use in the natural state, as inspired from the site during the site survey. At night, the glowing planes of obscure glass activate the exterior and video projections may appear on these obscure glass walls, animating the outdoor space with art, other than the screen projection at the rooftop cinema.
In a nutshell, the project is an open and flexible, reflecting the seaside character, history and recreational use of the site. The building is the icon that relates the past and the present of the site, along with the local characteristic and cultural identity of St. Kilda, apart from improving and solving the issues on the site. Building and city is the museum of time, hence the museum acts as a part of the history in terms of the urban context which continues the notion of film and suspense in a different relative time.
for Design Thesis Research and Progress Booklet