Sydney, Australia
2019
@enterior_yu
AMPHIBION endeavours on the preservations of the site specific coastal history to become a timeless experience for users. By adapting to the immediate surrounding landscapes, AMPHIBION promotes the reclamation of the La Perouse Precinct by native vegetation and flora, revitalising organisms that deteriorated due to advancements of human contact. AMPHIBION will become the framework to bettering and conserving the coastal habitat through a gathering of human interactions in social spaces. Visitors will be immersed through the coastal history from the point of arrival and throughout each space exploring the connections of aquatic and terrestrial relationships.
La Perouse is immersed in a rich coastal history which explores multiple cultures interrelating throughout time. From the original custodians of the land, The Kameygal People and their interactions with the coast as well. Fauna and flora both aquatic and terrestrial have also adapted by nature because of human circumstances. Seagrass population have depleted by tenfold within the past 60 years due to human pollution and native plants haven being overtaken by foreign species. These changes ultimately affect the quality of life within La Perouse and the fading of its history. By repurposing the site, AMPHIBION aims to retain and restore this history through human interactions in social spaces.
AMPHIBION encompasses six key spaces that define the reclamation of the La Perouse Precinct:
- ARRIVAL – The first point of contact with the site with a new ferry terminal that mimics the route of The Frist Fleet and their arrival path. This serves as the main entry to the site as well as a viewing platform which allows users to view the landscapes and their surroundings. The structural beams also act as contact points for aquatic vegetation to repopulate and create habitation for aquatic life.
- CONTACT – This area becomes the central circulation point of information. Repurposing the Macquarie Watchtower to become a café and service centre. Here users can attain information about the site and be able to take glimpse of what they are to expect from the site aswell. There is a herb wall in which users can take native herbs and leaves for their personal needs or becomes supplies for the restaurant and cafes.
- ECO-HUB – This space is the focal point of the site. A communal garden and social area encased in a polycarbonate glazed lattice membrane draped in Charisma vine, native to Australia. The vegetation gardens run with hydroponic plantation which is a cycle of nutrient water in a piped system to promote faster, nutrient yield. This space self sustains for the restaurant and café and provides space for users to communicate and share their experiences of the site.
- RETREAT – A covered external seating area with access to the restaurant in the repurposed Cable House Museum. This space offers for downtime and seating covered in the lattice membrane. Circular booths allow for shared experiences with users and a hydraulic system to power the surrounding lighting.
- COOPERATE – Located on Bare Island, a participatory coastal museum educates users about the history, present and future of La Perouse’s coastal state. Upon entry, a permanent installation constructed from timber and ghost nets allow the users to attach a piece of netting used in fishing to the artwork. This aims to create an impact and create awareness of the struggling situations on around the site. A singular path guides users through the space to more participatory artworks.
- EDUCATE – Upon venturing through the exhibition, there are cavities in the walls that allow users to enter and exhibition artworks on display. These works haven been chosen to highlight the terrestrial and aquatic impacts that have been made and to educate users about what can be done to improve the current state. There is a raised platform that allows for performances and ‘TED’ talks to further educate users.
