POWER CONCEPT
The use of networking to branch out into all spheres of
influence.
This is concept is relevant toward Coca cola, in regards to
the debatable company involvement within a country’s political, economic and
social issues. The segments of this
article which pertain to these issues demonstrate Coca Cola’s use of networking
and connection, in a global sense to influence various aspects.
similarly, the article discusses the issues of Facebook’s reach through global
networking, enabling several gateways through it’s overwhelming power. The
article addresses a concern with the endless ways in which the status and power
of Facebook as a company can utilise its name.
<><><><><><>
 |
<><><><><><>
| Completed architecture |
<><><><><><>
<><><><><><>
 |
<><><><><><>
| Headquarters, bridge, elevators, meeting space & table |
<><><><><><>
<><><><><><>
 |
<><><><><><>
| Architecture within the valley |
<><><><><><>
<><><><><><>
 |
<><><><><><>
| Architecture in context of the landscape |
<><><><><><>
THE VALLEY
The valley which is created in Cryengine is inspired from the Philippine rice
field terraces in Banaue. I found this landscape to be most interesting as the
clever manipulation of the landscape provides a most efficient and sightly form
of produce.
<><><><><><>
 |
<><><><><><>
| Tropical vegetation of the valley |
<><><><><><>
<><><><><><>
 |
<><><><><><>
| View of the landscape from mid height |
<><><><><><>
<><><><><><>
 |
<><><><><><>
| View from the top of the valley |
<><><><><><>
<><><><><><>
 |
<><><><><><>
| The valley floor |
<><><><><><>
<><><><><><>
 |
<><><><><><>
| View from the architecture's position |
<><><><><><>
THE BRIDGE
The design of the bridge particularly focuses on the element of networking
within the power relationship. The pathways on the bridge consist of
alternating glass and steel to form the floor. This separates the paths up to
the central elevator shaft- conveying the notion of separation which is united
through networking. The poetic midpoint meeting on the bridge symbolises the
cumulative point, in which a central common point is arrived at. Alternatively,
the bridge also works in a reverse manner, to effectively convey the notion of
‘branching out’- this is seen through the branching out from the central point
of the bridge.
The cables which suspend the bridge to the large overhead cantilever are formed
in a fashion to convey a continual sense of connection, and display an
interesting sculptural form. The cables are coloured in red to depict Coca
cola, and blue for Facebook.
<><><><><><>
 |
<><><><><><>
| The two sides of the bridge |
<><><><><><>
<><><><><><>
 |
<><><><><><>
| Bridge view from Coca Cola HQ |
<><><><><><>
<><><><><><>
 |
<><><><><><>
| Bridge view from Facebook HQ |
<><><><><><>
<><><><><><>
 |
<><><><><><>
| The bridge unifies all elements of the structure |
<><><><><><>
<><><><><><>
 |
<><><><><><>
| Bridge scale within the environment |
<><><><><><>
<><><><><><>
 |
<><><><><><>
| View of a person on the bridge |
<><><><><><>
THE ELEVATORS
I decided on creating a central lift shaft, which would share both Coca
cola and Facebook’s separate elevators. The cylindrical lift shaft is divided
in half, so that the independent elevators continually convey a notion of
connection with each other.
Coca cola’s lift shaft consists of organic red shapes which convey the iconic
company symbol. The back wall of the elevator uses circular translucent
windows, inspired by the bubbly nature of the company’s product.
facebook’s elevator capitalises on the idea of separate entities united in
connection to produce a functional body. The elevator is constructed of
individual bars, wrapping around to enclose the space and work in alignment to
convey the power of networking. The lift uses a colour palette of metal and
blue, in keeping with the iconic company’s skin.
<><><><><><>
 |
<><><><><><>
| Central lift shaft |
<><><><><><>
<><><><><><>
 |
<><><><><><>
| Coca Cola elevator |
<><><><><><>
<><><><><><>
 |
<><><><><><>
| facebook elevator |
<><><><><><>
<><><><><><>
 |
<><><><><><>
| Elevator landing on mezzanine level |
<><><><><><>
THE MEETING TABLE & SPACE
The key inspiration of the table was based off a spider web figure. I took the web as inspiration as it fit in well with the idea of networking and branching out in relation to power. The large table top is shaped as a web, providing an interesting and innovative design for the meeting table. Furthermore, the shape of the table ensures there is no two heads of the table, ensuring an equalizing meeting experience, upon which all members are included and valued on the same level. There is an application of texture to the table to emphasises the organic form and shape of the design.
The meeting space consists of a glass mezzanine level, to where the elevator stops. The glass level of this floor enables a view onto the meeting space below, which is accessed by separate ramps for each company VIPs. I chose to incorporate this mezzanine level, I felt that it assisted in tying the building together, acting as a facet in cohesively incorporating the two company spaces. In accordance to the brief, the meeting space below which houses the custom designed meeting table sits on the valley floor, enclosed by high ceiling glass, and walled by adjacent sides of the valleys.
<><><><><><>
 |
<><><><><><>
| The mezzanine level and meeting space below |
<><><><><><>
<><><><><><>
 |
<><><><><><>
| The meeting table with applied textures for emphasis |
<><><><><><>
<><><><><><>
 |
<><><><><><>
| Meeting space and table within environment |
<><><><><><>
FACEBOOK HEADQUARTERS
The Facebook Headquarters consists of several independent spaces which work
together to create a functional office space. The continual steel structure
demonstrates the interlinking between the notion of networking. In addition,
the manner of joining the spaces together depicts the resulting relationships
of networking. The steel frame weaves the building into connection with the
bridge, poetically mirroring the manner in which networking is a fundamental
key in tying together independent pieces. Not only does this increase the
building’s sense of integration within the structure as a whole, but carries
the power concept through all elements of the building’s design. Furthermore, independent
of the company's identity, the material choice of the blue glass and steel
structure is in accordance to the iconic symbol.
<><><><><><>
 |
<><><><><><>
| Facebook HQ within the environment |
<><><><><><>
<><><><><><>
 |
<><><><><><>
| Translucent blue glass to mirror the company logo |
<><><><><><>
<><><><><><>
 |
<><><><><><>
| The steel frame weaves through the entire building for connection |
<><><><><><>
<><><><><><>
 |
<><><><><><>
| HQ connection to the bridge |
<><><><><><>
COCA COLA HEADQUARTERS
The Coca Cola headquarters incorporates the company’s organic shaped logo into the structure of the building. The curved face of the building is rotated about the centre point to provide a symmetrical structure. The curves office spaces are completely faced with tinted grey glass to alow some privacy, but ensure a lightness to the building. The large cantilever of the bridge weaves through the centre of the building, to reinforce the notion of continual connection, in notions which echo the effect of networking to branch out. The space is interlinked with the edge of the bridge in accordance to the brief.
<><><><><><>
 |
<><><><><><>
| Coca Cola HQ from the bridge |
<><><><><><>
<><><><><><>
 |
<><><><><><>
| Protruding bridge cantiever from the HQ |
<><><><><><>
<><><><><><>
 |
<><><><><><>
| height of the building equalizes the bridge scale |
<><><><><><>
<><><><><><>
 |
<><><><><><>
| Red roofing to resemble the logo |
<><><><><><>
<><><><><><>
 |
<><><><><><>
| Structure within the landscape |
<><><><><><>
