It was great to finally meet some of the people behind Woodford Folk Festival. Bill Hauritz took us around the site demonstrating the massive effort gone into transforming the ground from grazing lands into the rainforest it is today. Woodford is geographically located as far north as temperate species survive, as far south as Tropical species will thrive, as far west as coatal species can handle and as far east as desert species exist. This area could become a habitat for a myriad of threatened species.
Own photo: Bill Hauritz in the well-established season camping area
The new territories were purchased 6 years ago and were previously a Radiata Pine plantation. The acid from pine needles has destroyed the topsoil. To turn this into useable land, WFF experimented by cutting terraces into the slope to relocate topsoil to flat areas and expose subsoil to planted slopes. This has allowed tree seedlings to be planted, which will make this place a perfect accomodation site once trees are fully established.
Own photo: New territories - Regenerated Radiata Pine Plantation
Bill explained that any new development on the site needs to be in accordance with their 500 year plan. They are the caretakers of the land, and don't want to relfect the arts in any permanent constructions. Woodford can be a place where technology and innovation can be tested. Their sewerage treatment plant is testament to this.
Own photo - Woodfordia sign
Pipe Dreaming
3rd year accomodation project to generate income through conferences and can be used for artist accomodation for the festival. This idea was inspired by the Austrian hotel which uses drain pipes as hotel rooms:
Reuse of materials or donation materials are considered to be an environmental and economical option for WFF. Rainwater tanks could be fitted out for buildings.
Flat space is at a premium so hillside design is important.
The timeframe for the development is 100-500 years so this needs to be considered.
Design Constraints
- Speak/ reflect values of woodford folk festival
- Safe / secure
- Comfortable
- Revolutionary approach, innovative ideas, use little and low cost material
- Should be built using mainly unskilled labour (volunteers)
- Accomodate a variety of people
- Use Indigenous management practives
- A place for innovation / learning / melting pot
- Synthesis of arts, science, poetry, craftsmanship. Interdisciplinary
- Disruptive Innovation - Avoid constraints of current South East Qld Regional Plan and building codes
- Self sufficiency model
- Transformation institutions
- Encourage a supply chain of locally grown organic food. Organic farms surrounding Woodfordia
Own Photo - test models for 3rd year project
Own Photo - brainstorm for 3rd year project
Crawl - Walk - Run
It was great to see the site while the festival is not on. Being a regular festival goer, i have a great attachment to the ground and festival. It definately takes on a different character when uninhabited. I can't wait to start designing for the masterplan now that we have seen it in its bare form: Woodford Site map - see below
(own image - based on Woodford festival map and site contours)
2009 Festival Site Photo
Most of the flat space is utilised during the festival so this needs to be considered when designing more permanent structures.
"The site is ideally suited for the development of a future village, however it is up to you to more fully define the year-round purpose of these buildings and their role in the future Woodfordia village. Keep in mind that the Woodfordia committee take sustainability seriously - they have developed a 500 year plan for the festival site [see below].
Your brief is to analyse the Woodfordia site, put forward a case for environmental-community-economic sustainability in line with Woodford’s 500 Year Plan and then make an architectural proposition for just one component of the overall scheme. This component may be the educational facility, residential housing facilities or another building (in consultation with your tutor) which you have identified as integral to your strategic plan." (QUT Blackboard brief)
The 500 Year Plan
- We recognise, appreciate and graciously receive gifts from our ancestors. We understand these are the gifts of lore and the celebration of our existence.
- We aim to gift future generations a clean slate: an organisation unencumbered with financial social or environmental debt.
- We’ll cultivate a convention of decision making, strengthening through time, that will resonate in our work and nurture our future.
- We’ll plant a forest of goodwill and benefit from its shade.
- We will build with the eyes of artists.
- We’ll provide space for our descendants to meet the challenges of their generations with vigour, courage and imagination and encourage them to celebrate their journeys with levity and frivolity.
The 500 year plan lives in our minds. It is our myth. It is a vision for how we might be and sensed by all who feel our welcome.
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