Monday, 31 October 2011

Details of Parliament House








These two diagrams below are the daily activities of Parliamentarians in Parliament House, Canberra. How little they spend their time at Parliament House.


The senate department – offices of the department

The Constitution vests the Commonwealth legislative power in a Parliament consisting of the Queen, represented by the Governor-General, a Senate and a House of Representatives.
The Department of the Senate provides the Senate, its committees, the President of the Senate and senators with a broad range of advisory and support services related to the exercise of the legislative power of the Commonwealth.
The parliamentary head of the department is the President of the Senate and the departmental head is the Clerk of the Senate.
The department is one of three supporting the two Houses, the others being the Department of the House of Representatives and the Department of Parliamentary Services.
The work of the Department of the Senate is determined almost entirely by the Senate and its committees. The department is responsible, not to the government of the day, but to the Senate and all senators, and maintains complete impartiality in serving equally senators from all political parties and independent senators.

Clerk’s office
Table office
Procedure office
Committee office
Black rod’s office

Services
Legislation (bills)

Senate Proceedings

Documents presented to the Senate

Senate Committees

General information about senators and support services

Parliamentary history and procedures - general information

Public lectures, seminars, exhibitions

Parliamentary Education Office (PEO)


The Department of the House of Representatives

The Department of the House of Representatives provides services to support the efficient conduct of the House of Representatives, its committees and certain joint committees as well as a range of services and facilities for Members in Parliament House. The Department also undertakes activities to promote the work of the House in the community and is responsible for the conduct of the Parliaments' international and regional relations. The Speaker has accountability obligations to the Parliament for the Department. The Clerk of the House of Representatives is responsible for managing the Department.
Output group 1 – chamber and main committee
Manager: clerk assistant (table)
The outputs of Output Group 1.1 are delivered primarily through the Clerk’s Office, the Table Office and the Chamber Research Office. Other departmental work areas also contribute as required.

Output group 1.2 – community awareness
Manager: clerk assistant (committees)
Community Awareness: Public information and education services to increase public knowledge and awareness of, and interaction with, the work of the House of Representatives and the Commonwealth Parliament.

Output group 1.3 – committee services
Manager: clerk assistant (committees)
Committee Services: Procedural, research, analytical and administrative support for the conduct of inquiries and other activities of committees and the publication of the final report.

Output group 1.4 – interparliamentary relations
Manager: clerk assistant (committees)
Interparliamentary Relations: Advice and support to facilitate the conduct of the Parliament’s international and regional affairs

Output group 1.5 – members’ services
Manager: Serjeant-at-Arms
Output Group 1.5 focuses on providing advice, services and support for members of the House of Representatives. Responsibilities include support for accommodation at Parliament House, the delivery of office and communication services such as stationery, printing and information technology, and the payment of salaries and allowances. (supply, salary)

Office Phone Fax Email
International and Community Relations Office
Chamber Research Office
Table Office (Papers)
Table Office (Bills)
Serjeant-at-Arms' Office
Information Systems and Publishing
Finance Office
People Strategies Office

House Standing Committees

Committee
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs
Agriculture, Resources, Fisheries and Forestry
Climate Change, Environment and the Arts
Economics
Education and Employment
Health and Ageing
Infrastructure and Communications
Petitions
Privileges and Members' Interests
Procedure
Regional Australia
Social Policy and Legal Affairs

Joint Committees

Committee
Broadcasting of Parliamentary Procedures
Electoral Matters
Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade
Public Accounts and Audit
Migration
National Broadband Network
National Capital and External Territories
Publications
Public Works
Treaties

Department of parliamentary services – events, library, eco-energy environmental management
Visitors to Parliament House may view the proceedings of both the House of Representatives and the Senate from the Public Galleries in the Chambers whenever the Houses are in session. At other times when Parliament House is open visitors may visit the Public Galleries.

Committee rooms

Parliament House contains 19 committee rooms. Although these rooms are formal parliamentary spaces, they are not used for debating or voting on legislation. A parliamentary committee is comprised of a small number of parliamentarians with a specific task; generally to gather information (on behalf of the Parliament) related to a current legislative proposal or an issue of community concern. Both the Senate and the House of Representatives employ a range of committees. This photograph illustrates a Senate committee in action. The senators are sitting in the background; members of the public observing the proceedings are in the foreground and one man at the centre of the scene is giving evidence to the committee. Technicians sitting In the glassed-in control room switch on microphones and record the discussions. Note also, the television cameras which are installed in spaces in the walls of the committee room.

Cabinet Room

Cabinet usually meets in the Cabinet Room in Parliament House. The Cabinet is the centre of executive government. It is responsible for managing the policy directions and business of the government. Cabinet is chaired by the Prime Minister and operates as a sub-committee of the ministry.
The Cabinet Room is located on the ground floor in Parliament House opposite the Prime Minister’s office and close to the offices of the other ministers. Marquetry panels of eucalypt leaves designed by artists Tony Bishop and Michael Retter adorn the room. Hidden among the leaves is a cicada, a dragonfly and a blowfly. Despite these ‘bugs’ the room is highly secure and is regularly swept electronically because the Cabinet discusses confidential and secret matters that affect the life and well-being of the nation.

museum of australia democracy

Sunday, 30 October 2011

Assessment 02: The Place To Be - Architectural Proposal

Project 2 Assessment Criteria
You will be assessed through your blog documenting your ideas and design development, and communication of the outcome in your final presentation and submission, on criteria listed below.

Infrastructure
Strategy (12.5%): Has the infrastructural strategy been developed and communicated well in the blog and final presentation/submission?
Description: What is your strategy for utilising an existing or newly proposed infrastructure? 
I will be proposed new infrastructure (meeting point) regarding the current infrastructure doesn't work (community halls - a lot of community halls spread all over the Australia's states, but they don't provide enough facilities to have an engaging activities between community and government. Instead, government takes those spaces as a business opportunity and benefit for themselves). However, it is not approaching to a building, yet the space still has value all the key aspects architectural entity.
How does it influence the way you design an architectural entity and how it improves the way politicians, governmental institutions and others offer and people access parliamentary and/or governmental services?
Because current design doesn't work, therefore another approach is taken. This space allows few bits of Canberra experiences by inviting.engaging.and educating people with current information (not necessarily has to be a political information). All the relevant information that can improve how the city thinks and shapes.

Logistics (12.5%): Has the logistics been considered and well incorporated in the design? Has the development been well documented and communicated well in the blog and final presentation / submission?
Description: Your design is required to respond to changing needs. Whether it is an instantaneous, temporary or long-term change, it is needed to be a part of your design consideration. How is your architectural entity designed to change, move, shift, transform, adapt, interact, etc.?

The design will change, move, shift and transform based on the needs of activities, both in physical shapes and experience phases. It can be a meeting point of:
- Participation space: two-way communication between citizen and government
- Educational space: absorb information in wide-range of opportunities
- Recreational space: gathering space, allow people spend some of their leisure time in the space.
these activities don't require any knowledge, but give knowledge..

In addition, the space will adapt with the relationship of political issue being part of the society daily life. In implementation, the design will gradually give different impression of current political activities (today most of them are negative). thus, it will improved the communication (society and government). In order to achieve it, there is should no limitation of users range, everybody is welcomed to experience the space.
Where do components and/or information stored? Where are they generated or manufactured and delivered?

All the components will be stored near the site, where all of them are made from light materials, that easily to carry, transport, and build on site. The materials consideration will be on locally availability as more sustain transport cost and wiser energy waste. 

Tectonic Resolution

Purpose and Function (12.5%): Has the purpose and function of the architectural entity be chosen in response to (latent) needs? Is the design response appropriate? Has the development been well documented and communicated well in the blog and final presentation / submission?
Description: It is imperative that your design effectively provides parliamentary and/or governmental services in response to needs. You are to creatively investigate the (latent) needs, and it is essential that your proposed architectural entity provide solutions or opportunities for people to resolve issues.

issue - lack of opportunities to contribute with Government decision.
solution - provide a space, a basic embryo where people safe to express their thoughts, opinions, etc and as a gathering space, for voting and transparency of decision making progress.

Circulation and Access (12.5%): Has the use of architectural entity been studied and the circulation within and/or access to it been studied? Is it evident in the design? Has the development been well documented and communicated well in the blog and final presentation / submission?
Description: No matter what you design, it will fail if people are not given appropriate access to, within and/or between your proposed spaces. It is very important that you provide enough evidence in your development stages and final outcome that your architectural entity has good circulation and access.
The locations are taken at public spaces, providing strategic access people to encounter and experience the space then it leads to main space at Botanical Gardens City. Preserve the part of Brisbane's history and culture, activate the current abandoned space, give more vibrant environment at near Parliament House in Brisbane, thus people will more aware with their existence and roles.
Structural and/or Operational Integrity (12.5%): Has the structural and/or operational integrity been studied and made evident in design? Has the development been well documented and communicated well in the blog and final presentation / submission?
Description: How believable is your proposition? It is very important that the proposal demonstrates your design decisions are informed by clear understanding of physical and practical limitations. You are required to demonstrate structural integrity of your design proposal, and/or in some cases, operational integrity to show how the distributed or virtual artefacts work as an architectural entity.
The distributed modules will be in mobile shape, easily add and eliminate responding with the site needs and current development. without any heavy/ solid structure. it is all independent per module, makes easier to construct on site without need to wait in certain situation/ etc.

Poetic Resolution
Presence and Identity (12.5%): Has the impact of the proposed entity's presence been considered and its identity been chosen with strong understanding of what it needs to represent and signify?
Description: It is vital that the presence of your proposed entity is appropriate for the context and signifies the services it offers. It therefore is very important to give specific consideration to how people identify and recognise your proposed architectural entity as a whole and/or a part.

User Experience (12.5%): Has the experience of users been considered and effectively presented from the perspectives of users?
Description: It is imperative that you made your design decisions based on the requirements of people who will experience and use (a part of) the proposed entity. You need to demonstrate not only generic appearances of spaces with people, but also construct scenarios to orchestrate how specific people in specific need experiences and utilise services offered by the proposed entity or parts.
Aesthetic Rigor (12.5%): Has the effort been made to pay attention to detail in your communication?
Description: This criterion is to reward your attitude towards preparing successful architectural communication. As architects, you will spend majority of time communicating ideas to your peers, bosses, clients, engineers, contractors and/or other stakeholders. What and how you prepare and present directly influence how others evaluate the credibility of your claim. Your commitment towards visual communication during development stages (through blog entries), final presentation and in your final submission is to be assessed.




Tuesday, 25 October 2011

Canopy in Medina

Medina, Saudi Arabia, Retractable Umbrellas


The Medina Retractable Umbrellas were designed by SL Rasch. Spanning the columns and court area, twelve 17m x 18m retractable umbrellas create the effect of a translucent vault, providing protection from the desert sun. At night, the umbrellas can be closed to promote the natural cooling of the court floor. These umbrellas have been in continuous service since 1992.


http://www.tenarafabric.com/medina.html

Friday, 21 October 2011

Brisbane Power House


Click to enlarge


NEW FARM NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE PRESENTS

POLITICS IN THE PUB

THU 10 NOV 2011

Politics in the Pub leads us beyond headlines to discuss local, national and international issues from every angle. Panel discussions are designed to cover a wide range of opinions and to bring people together in lively and respectful debate.


Saturday, 15 October 2011

Site (Lily Pond)




Lily Pond (Site)



History of Lily Pond and how its features have been taking part in surrounding area.

Current situation in Lily Pond



Visible view to Parliament House, allowing communication to the proposed space.


Water is not properly maintained, and there is no Lily Water, which is the name of the pond after this plant. Maybe this is one of many reasons people do not spend a lot of time anymore in Botanic Gardens City. 



Then, the Parliament House with only 150m away from the site, by activated Botanic Gardens City, people will also aware with the existence of Parliament House.

Tuesday, 11 October 2011

Australian election TV debate rescheduled

... because it clashed with Masterchef finale



A televised general election debate in Australia has been moved forward so it does not clash with the Masterchef final.
The two politicians in the race to be Prime Minister have agreed to lock horns at 6.30pm this Sunday instead of 7.30pm, when the popular TV chef series reaches its climax.
More than four million viewers are expected to tune in and amid fears only ‘political tragics’ would choose policy over pastry, the change was agreed by Prime Minister Julia Gillard and the opposition leader, Tony Abbott.
Tony AbbottJulia Gillard
Compromise: Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard has agreed to delay the election television debate with rival Tony Abbott to ensure it does not clash with popular TV show Masterchef
Masterchef.jpg
Claire Winton Burn, one of the Masterchef Australia finalists, puts the finishing touches to a dish

Masterchef started life as a BBC cookery show in 1990 hosted by Loyd Grossman but has gone on to become a hugely successful franchise and is now aired or filming in Norway, France, Finland and the USA with Gordon Ramsay taking the role of the host.
In Australia it has become a runaway hit with regular viewing figures of more than one million. 
It has also generated product placement fees worth an estimated £56million, turning the producers into powerful media players.
‘I can understand the fascination with cooking and eating, so I know many Australians will watch that show,’ said Ms Gillard, who in the past has admitted to forcing her boyfriend to do most of the cooking.
‘But I think Australians too will pay some regard to the debate and to the election campaign and what's said in it.’ 

Monday, 10 October 2011

Heritage Buildings

Map Reference - Brisbane City HallCity Hall
Map Reference - Customs HouseCustoms House
Map Reference - Museum of BrisbaneMuseum of Brisbane
Map Reference - Parliament HouseParliament House
Those are some examples of Institutional members that are not for profit organisations based in the Brisbane City Council area which offer the public an experience intrinsically linked to Brisbane's history and/or heritage. This means they may offer exhibitions, interpretive facilities, guided or self guided walks or tours. They have committed opening hours and an admission policy, whether that be free of charge or by paid entry.

However,  those buildings are just heritage buildings, and not attract people yet, I don't about the other heritage buildings around the city, but I'm sure that QUT old Government House and Art Museum do not gather a lot of people there.


http://www.brisbanelivingheritage.org/01_cms/details.asp?ID=2

Community Halls

why they have so much community halls that does not even use to political purposes and increase engagement between citizen and their representatives. and they make money out of these building by hiring them.



Can Politic be entertained?

Feeling when we talk about ENTERTAINMENT ...
excited - marathon walking event
happy - interesting people and friends
relax - magnificent views

Feeling when we talk about POLITIC
scared - powerless, little people
angry - no voice is listened
tired - enough trying

Can Politic be part of our live as much as entertainment?

Thursday, 6 October 2011

Public Spaces

Yet.. Brisbane have ... 
Soutbank 
King George Square
ANZAC War Memorial Square
Botanical Gardens
Public Library Square
.... and many more activated public space


present ...
it use for leisure and entertainment events


near future ...
should be use for one of the way to create intimacy relationship between society and the government

Botanic Gardens 2




http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/facilities-recreation/parks-gardens/book-a-park-site/list-of-parks-for-bookings/city-botanic-gardens/index.htm#designated
http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/facilities-recreation/parks-gardens/city-botanic-gardens/attractions/index.htm
http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/facilities-recreation/parks-gardens/city-botanic-gardens/index.htm
http://www.mangrovewatch.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=69&Itemid=300186
http://www.marine.uq.edu.au/marbot/mangrove%20watch/Brisbane%20Botanical%20Garden%20BW.htm

Botanic Gardens



Consideration of the site is at Botanic Gardens City, it has deep relation with Brisbane culture and history, also the proposed space should deliver solution for current issue, which is to activated public space. Botanic Gardens City has a lot of potentials, that people aren't interact anymore, because a lot of new, more interesting park lands/  public spaces in Brisbane. If the space can be part of initial development of Botanic Gardens City, it can then preserve the site and bring new vibe to the city.

Wednesday, 5 October 2011

Urban Caouflage










In December 2004 Andrew Maynard was approached to participate in the CITY OF MILAN AWARD 2005 FOR YOUNG FOREIGN DESIGNERS.


Andrew's Urban Camouflage was among 17 designs chosen to exhibit at the world renowned TRIENNALE di MILANO design museum and the Milan International Furniture Fair, the "Salone del Mobile"In mid 2005 ‘milanese urban camouflage’ was exhibited at Federation Square in Melbourne as part of the Design Festival.


http://kimnicholedesign.blogspot.com/2009/08/milan-mobile-exhibit.html