‘To be free really means to spare. The sparing itself consists not only in the fact that we do not harm the one whom we spare. Real sparing is something positive and takes place when we leave something beforehand in its own nature, when we return it specifically to its being, when we “free” it in the real sense of the word into a preserve of peace. To dwell, to be set at peace, means to remain at peace within the free sphere that safeguards each thing in its nature. The fundamental character of dwelling is this sparing and preserving. It pervades dwelling in its whole range. That range reveals itself to us as soon as we reflect that human being consists in dwelling and, indeed, dwelling in the sense of the stay of mortals on the earth.’ - Heidegger, Building Dwelling, Thinking 1971
The brief called for a design proposal that responded to the needs of the homeless in terms of issues raised by Martin Heidegger, such as the necessity of mental rest being vital in fulfilling the concept of ‘dwelling.’
The architectural response recognises two different conditions: acknowledging the presence of the V&A Waterfront across the Western Boulevard Freeway, and the presence of the homeless in the areas within and around the existing Napier Street Haven shelter.
The proposal seeks to make a link under the freeway to the V&A, thereby creating a thoroughfare past the shelter, creating a new public space through reclamation of the forgotten (and fenced-in) space under the freeway.
This will then create a positive space that acts as a social condenser that attempts to mediate between these two conditions, allowing for interaction and chance encounters between the less-fortunate and the more affluent in society. The building therefore orients itself to reflect these aims, creating an axial structure that begins to indicate movement along the facade and street edge.
The architecture takes form through a process of materiality.
A heavy, massive, exaggerated concrete structural grid establishes itself, reflecting the neighbouring elevated freeway, and thereby confronting the overbearing nature of the context. The solidity of this initial ‘framework’ begins to lend the space within and around it a sense of safety and security - a necessity for the wellbeing of the homeless individual.
Facebrick blades then proceed to arrange themselves within, under, and around the rigid and static grid. These blades begin to define spaces, constructing the architecture amongst the concrete grid. This speaks to the manner in which temporary shelters might be constructed on the streets of the city, while brick is a material associated with residential construction, as well as being a ‘warm’ material representative of the perceived ‘warmth’ of the traditional hearth and home.
This play within the materiality is also play between the conditions of permanence and temporality, and the corresponding conditions surrounding homelessness.
The circulation is of lightweight, steel and glass construction, and this dynamic structure punctures the static grid and mediates between the public and private spaces within the building. The circulation system leads one to the inhabitation modules on the north face of the building, allowing the inhabitants to ‘ascend above the city’ - a psychological boost and in contrast to the usual condition of being ‘beneath’ and on the streets. The inhabitation modules are incredibly space efficient, in contrast to the more public space, and this difference in interior spatial quality is reflected on the facade.
