Urban Cube

When you are working with a group of people that you can trust, that are honest and that are hardworking it can be a joy and very uplifting. This isn't always the case, especially at university and in ways it can be very demoralising when no one seems to be on the same wavelength. There is plenty to learn from both experiences but in the first semester of 2010 I was lucky enough to enjoy the former.

It was the first day of the first semester of our 4Th year design unit. Without warning we were thrown straight in the deep end. We were assigned a week long group project, a "design charette". The task was to design a small gallery, around 3m*3m to fit into the urban grunge context of Fortitude Valley's back alleys or "Forgotten Spaces". To design anything of note in a week is challenge enough but then thrown into this was that I was to end up working in a group with 3 people I had never worked with before. I knew two but to make it even more challenging was a language barrier to be broken. The fourth member Stefano was on exchange from Italy, and although he spoke pretty decent English, at times it would be difficult for us to convey, in design terms, what it was exactly that we were thinking.

Despite such challenges, the group of 4 meshed very well and by the end of the first day we had a concept we could launch into. Our concept evolved over the week and took on extra layers of meaning and complexity. Despite sometimes frustrating moments, we all played our part and the end result was extremely satisfying.

Our concept worked to the size restriction of 3*3*3. Simply, it was a cube. What came to be dubbed the Urban Cube had multiple layers and levels of use. We drew inspiration from the surroundings, which was beaten, decrepit and unfinished. To contrast the surroundings would be this pure white cube, but like the valley would have two very different faces.

When the Valley at night turns into party central, home to revellers, misfits and members that don't have a label the cube is closed tight. It becomes secure to protect that which is inside. However, to reflect the mood of the evening, its skin comes alive with dancing lights, changing with the presence of company.

During the day, when safety returns and the Valley conforms to its other face, the one involving business people, tourists and shoppers the cube unravels. Its walls fall away and the roof folds up. Inside is revealed a series of sliding slices, each with two sides for artwork. The artwork contained is that of the street. Reflective of its surroundings, the gallery is a testimony of the street art, the 'graffiti' that tags the walls. It is a gallery that exhibits the art tastefully, in a way that is respectful of its context. The cube is a chance for local artists to show their wares and have their ability admired, not shunned.

Each slice moves independently of the other. They can be pushed and pulled away from the others. A user can pull out a slice to admire the artwork on either side. But the cube isn't done yet. Each slice becomes part of an interactive medium. Each slice has two halves, pulling one away from the other separates it. Arranging all the halves on one side in such a fashion reveals the cubes final secret. The halves seperated form a type of gateway or tunnel with seating. It pulls users through it and it connects within the alley the different points of entry and exit.

The urban cube is designed in such a way that it is both wary and at home within its context. It is there to be noticed and it becomes at its height an interactive artwork that celebrates the surroundings.

At the end of the semester, the best projects were invited to display the work at an exhibit, hosted by the Brisbane City Council. Proudly, our Urban Cube was one of the one selected.

The project was fun in its way, and I was proud of the groups effort. But nonetheless, it was a hell of a lot of work for only 10%.