“Human beings are flexible creatures. We move about at will, manipulate objects and operate in a wide range of environments” (Kronenbury, 2007, p. 10).
21st Century is about movement and speed in lifestyle, communication, human mobility and adaptability of the new changes. The existing infrastructures in Canberra were designed and developed in 19th Century, and therefore new infrastructures are required in order to support the new changes and adapt the flexible future.
“Anytime, anywhere”!
The design for the future parliament house will challenge the traditional ideas of shelter, space and function, these qualities will reflect the architecture of the future will produce. The occupants are able to decide their life, and will perform according to their needs. The flexible architecture will provide alternate solutions that fit in a situational or social sense.
Exemplars: New Babylon (Constant Nieuwenhuys), Spatial City and SpaceBuster.
Flexibility can be defined as “the quality of being adaptable or variable”, “it refers to designs that can adapt when external changes occur” (Dictionary).
"Using many different possible scenarios so that building could be utilized in many different ways in the future, either by refitting rooms, changing equipments and systems or by changing partitions and surfaces. Appropriately high levels of servicing allow quick replacement of outdated machinery and equipment for optimum performance and multi-functionality of spaces for the tertiary system (Kronenbury, 2007, p. 115)”.
The exiting committee spaces layout of the parliament house can be integrated into one flexible space. The concept of improved access for variety groups of people symbolizes the accessibility of the government. Public and private spaces are clearly defined.
The three parliament house exemplars above are compared. Gothic or Elizabethan design style are used for the houses of Parliament in London (or New Palace of Westminster), which symbolise the age and dignity of the British institution. The second exemplar is the house of Parliament in Canberra, public are involved in the design which demonstrate the openness of the government. The last exemplar is the Reichstag in Berlin, it celebrates a new openness and democracy by topped with a transparent spiral viewing gallery. The transparet and openness of the government can be communicate through the parliament house, as it is an icon to represent it's nation. A saying goes "a future built on the past", the existing parliament house will be retained, while having the future element to build upon it.
Allow politicians and citizens work together symbolise Australia's Classless Society.
The essence of the Parliament House is the symbolic icon for the nation, a visual language informing its presence, and representing the prestige for the country. Transparent, openness and accessible in government are the conceptual qualities for the twenty-first Century architecture.
Citizens are allowed to walk on the parliament house symbolise public can be involved in decision making, and they are constantly interacting with each other.
The future design will continue the concept of inclusion of citizens into the democratic process, society equality and citizen’s involvement in decision making. One of the most attributes of adaptable architecture is to allow occupants to be influenced in design decisions, which symbolize the transparent of the government and public participation.
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