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CUBEDARRELYN NGUYEN

01 UTZON STUDY

02 SITE

03 CONCEPT

04 PLANS

05 SECTIONS

06 SCENES

07 MODEL

CONTENTS

01

UTZON STUDY

Zürich Theatre (Schauspielhaus) was a winning design proposal for a competition held in 1964. The project was eventually cancelled, and

remains unbuilt to this day, as Utzon believed:

“There the people are quite different. The Swiss are a conservative people. They like their intellectual life but they do not wish to be daring

with it. But in Sydney they admire daring very much.”

Zürich Theatre drew parallels to the Sydney Opera House with the wide, ceremonial stairs and dramatic space for chamber music and opera. However, its contextual fit was more reserved and stable in comparison to Sydney Opera House’s strong geometric presence.

Utzon proposed for a large low carpet roof spilling to the amorphous urban surroundings.

The contextual fit acts as a central point of connection with the adjacent buildings, creating a sensitive yet meaningful design.

ZÜRICH THEATRE

Utzon was known for his exploration of geometry within his design process, as explored within the seats of the theatre. To break the

traditional hierarchy of seating arrangements, he merges the levels into one sloping floor, creating a more integrated and organic form.

The underlying foundation of its curving nature was created by drawing arches which would connect the different sections, and

therefore would break the hierarchy.

Playing with the concept of platforms and plateaus, the building takes one on a journey of discovery through stairs within the interiors, building drama when leading up towards the main reveal, the theatre.

Zürich Theatre ultimately encapsulated the notion of horizontality, playing with levels to alter the perception of what a journey may

encompass.

Utzon’s intention was for a strong but undominating building, one that would best belong to it surrounding, yet simultaneously would shock the audiences who saw it. He desired for a physical and and

psychological connection to take place in conjunction with the stages.

ZÜRICH THEATRE

GEOMETRY & ORGANIC PLATFORMS & PLATEAUS

HORIZONTALITY JOURNEY THROUGH STAIRS

The concept of horizontality was further explored through the process of model making. A frame was created, with pieces of foam stacked on one another to represent the horizontal ‘platforms and plateaus’ prevalent within Utzon’s design. Plaster was poured into the mold,

and once set, the frame and foam was removed.

Left was the interplay of solids and voids, unique spaces that could be occupied. Voids resembling multiple height spaces were created, and the verticality of the models became more apparent. The horizontal

plane was ultimately transformed into the vertical plane, thus highlighting the concept of verticality.

HORIZONTAL & VERTICAL

02

SITE

The site is located between Macquarie Street and Hospital Road, across from The Domain and behind the Australian Mint. It is is

sandwiched between two contrasting urban spaces: the bustling business district on Macquarie Street, and the generous parklands of

The Domain.

When mapping out the buildings which draw a relationship to their surrounding environment within the CBD (in red) only a small

percentage take advantage of the greenery and connection to nature. The design should take the rare opportunity of being located in

close proximity to nature and draw elements from nature to frame its design, and simultaneously be mindful of the passages of travel

leading towards the performance theatre.

SITE

CONNECTION TO NATURE

TREE DENSITY

STATE LIBRARY NSW ART GALLERY

MARTIN PLACE STATION SYDNEY EYE HOSPITAL

STREET ACTIVATION

03

CONCEPT

The design is an exploration of the vertical experience and journey that occurs within. Inspired by the concept of horizontality in Zürich Theatre, and located in a city that continues to grow upwards, the design takes on a vertical expression. The concept of verticality is reinforced through the wide ceremonial stairs which lead into the

unknown abyss of a cube. Once inside, stairs wrap along the exterior walls, around the interplay of floors which continually change with

multiple height spaces.

The dramatic space for musical performance is enhanced with the only window in the building, and acts as a natural backdrop

for the performance and draws connections to the tree canopies in The Domain. The open-air rooftop theatre draws connections to skyscrapers on Macquarie Street, creating an everchanging

experience.

CONCEPT

HIDDEN GEM VIEW FROM MACQUARIE MONOLITHIC

WRAPPED CIRCULATION VIEW TO DOMAIN SQUARE MOTIF

04

PLANS

1 NSW LAND REGISTRY

2 HYDE PARK BARRACKS MUSEUM

3 THE MINT

4 SYDNEY EYE HOSPITAL

5 THE DOMAIN

LOCATION PLAN

1:1250

1

2

3 4

5

MACQUARIE ST

HOSPITAL RD

1 MAIN PEDESTRIAN ST

2 SECONDARY PEDESTRIAN ST

3 LOADING DOCK

4 PUBLIC SEATING / STAIRS

SITE PLAN

1:500

1 2

3

4

1 LOADING DOCK

2 STAFF ROOM

3 MEETING ROOM

4 BATHROOM

5 STORAGE

BASEMENT

1:200

1

2

3

4

5

GROUND

1 ENTRANCE

2 SHOP

3 RECEPTION

4 CAFE

5 KITCHEN

6 SEATING

1:200

1

2

3

4

5

6

LEVEL 1

1 BATHROOM

2 SEATING

3 BAR

1:200

1

2

3

LEVEL 2

1 GALLERY

2 BACKSTAGE

3 BACKSTAGE LIFT

1:200

1

23

LEVEL 3

1 THEATRE

2 SEATING

3 BACKSTAGE LIFT

1:200

1

2

3

LEVEL 4

1 ROOFTOP THEATRE

2 BACKSTAGE LIFT

1:200

1

2

05

SECTIONS

WEST SECTION

NORTH SECTION

06

SCENES

‘Cube’ draws upon a sense of wonder within the vertical experience, reflecting and manipulating light within its contextual surroundings.

The vertical journey begins upon viewing the harsh, monolithic exterior, piquing senses of curiosity as one ascends the dramatic staircase. The strong rectilinear exterior is juxtaposed within the interior, utilizing concrete and frosted glass to create an ethereal

experience reflecting its environmental surroundings.

The everchanging experience is in constant flux, light absorbing from exterior walls and trickling from above. Circulating higher, drama

accumulates, weaving through each level and eventually reaching the finale, the theatres which frame the sky, skyscrapers, and domain.

‘Cube’ encapsulates experiences of the unexpected, the journey, and sensation of wonder.

CUBE

“Walking through The Domain, I see an object glowing amongst the tree canopies. What is that I wonder? Only upon closer inspection a large cube reveals itself, gleaming beneath the summer warmth.

Although I see crowds of people sit along the stairs, I walk past them, curious to see what lies within.”

ENTRANCE

“As soon as I step inside, the world around me softens. The walls become hazy, glowing almost as blurs of greens, greys, blues playfully fill the space with light. I look up, only to realise how high the ceilings are! Walking around the edges of the walls, the ceiling height seems

to change, oscillating with my every movement. I finally make my way towards the staircase wrapping the entire building, excited to see

what is to come.”

INSIDE

“After hearing that my favourite musician will be having a show here, I quickly purchase my tickets and head towards the ‘Domain Theatre.’ Walking in, I notice a large glass window framing the park. I see how

the tree tops sway gently with the wind, how the people walking across the park look like little ants, and even see the Art Gallery! The

music performance begins, and I slowly start to feel as if I am floating above the trees, as if I have been transported into a dream.”

THEATRE

“After the performance finished, I decide to explore what lies on the top level. Walking up the stairs, I notice the rooftop theatre, and see performers gracefully dance across the stage as if they were birds

gliding through the sky. I make sure not to disrupt them and begin to make my way out the building. I am excited at the discovery I have

made and know that it won’t be much longer until I come back.”

ROOFTOP

07

MODEL

The concept of the model was to encapsulate the ethereal nature of the cube amongst the density of its surrounding buildings and

landscape. The raw use of plaster, sand and timber gave a roughness for the site model, which was heavily juxtaposed against the use of acrylic and opaque polypropylene for the building. A lighting

component ultimately completed the glowing cube and fulfilled the model’s intentions.

MODEL

END