Island Life by David Slack

Read Post

Island Life: On the waterfront

41 Responses

First ←Older Page 1 2 Newer→ Last

  • Steve Reeves,

    Looks nice...but (sorry to rain on your verandah), it will only protect us from the rain if there's *also* no wind. Standing in bus shelters (roof much nearer the ground that this sail seems to be) teaches me that rain with even a little wind equals wet quite soon.

    Is Auckland ever windy and rainy at the same time?

    Near Donny Park, Hamilton… • Since Apr 2007 • 94 posts Report Reply

  • Sophie Wilson,

    Nat's enthusiasm for membranes are very touching indeed!

    Pity the usefulness of this space after the Party Centralites have invaded, will be equal to buildings, wrapped in fabric.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2007 • 13 posts Report Reply

  • Tom Beard,

    Is Auckland ever windy and rainy at the same time?

    Yes: it's not just Wellington that gets the wind, and Auckland can get some pretty nasty weather from the westerly quarter during winter and spring. At first glance I think it looks lovely, and while not outstandingly original, it's quite a clever concept for a fiddly brief. In some weather, it could actually be practical, but that would be far from all the time.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1040 posts Report Reply

  • James Green,

    I think it depends on just how clever the finalised design is. I was at an Antartic Heritage Trust thing recently, and they had some small wind deflectors that were capable of flicking wind and snow right over Scott's Hutt at Cape Evans. I'm sure their use would be more complicated in a built up space, but that sort of thing seems like it should increasingly become a part of design.

    (sorry, unable to find a link to a picture of one. They look like a 2m side length triangle attached in a horizontal plane to a pole).

    Limerick, Ireland • Since Nov 2006 • 703 posts Report Reply

  • Just thinking,

    Sophie @ Nats aren't enthusiastic, they're Insane in the Membrane.

    Not to mention totally PC Gone Mad - banning txting in the car. I'm doing it right noooooooooooooo

    Putaringamotu • Since Apr 2009 • 1158 posts Report Reply

  • David Slack,

    Sorry - I omitted to mention that they contemplate hanging side walls of some sort, as required. James, those wind deflectors sound like a very good idea.

    Devonport • Since Nov 2006 • 599 posts Report Reply

  • webweaver,

    I think it looks quite pretty - like our Queen's Wharf sails but on a waaaay grander scale. Good idea to think about building something like that with the time and budget available, rather than whole buildings.

    Can't image how the side walls would look tho - they'd ruin the aesthetic if they weren't done right - and imagine having to race all the way along every sail pulling the side walls down (or whatever) if a nasty front came through unexpectedly. Chaos!

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 332 posts Report Reply

  • James Green,

    Hmmm. I don't know if they do quite what I said. They are 'vortex generators' second last pic on this page. And according to the guy speaking they flick the wind and snow right over the hut, although that's not entirely how their function is described on this page. I think there is/should be some sort of interesting aerodynamics playing to be had.

    Limerick, Ireland • Since Nov 2006 • 703 posts Report Reply

  • Tom Beard,

    I think there is/should be some sort of interesting aerodynamics playing to be had.

    Exactly. My feeling is that it would work well with the strong, steady katabatic winds of the Antarctic, but the turbulence and swirl of a squally southwesterly would be a very different matter.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 1040 posts Report Reply

  • Julie Fairey,

    David and Party Central up a tree, K I S S I N G.

    What you wanted mature, thoughtful response? We're all out sorry, try again tomorrow.

    Puketapapa Mt Roskill, AK… • Since Dec 2007 • 234 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha,

    I like it. Bite me, I mean kiss me. :)

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Brent Jackson,

    Stephen Knightly wrote :

    I reckon the famous 'Red Fence' should be donated to MOTAT - who need a better fence along Gt North Rd and are the appropriate resting place of many of Auckland's transport-related relics.

    Now that's a bloody good idea (assuming that they are not staying in situ).

    Steve Reeves wrote :

    Looks nice...but (sorry to rain on your verandah), it will only protect us from the rain if there's *also* no wind.

    But isn't that why the old sheds are being retained. Not only can one seek shelter inside them if necessary, but they also will act as useful windblocks in their own right.

    Let face, the space wouldn't be very useful for a large chunk of the year if their isn't some sort of wind protection for at least the westerlies and southerlies.

    Cheers,
    Brent.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 620 posts Report Reply

  • Rich of Observationz,

    Call me a spoilsport, but if I was to rank the essential functions of government, I'd put things like education, public transport and healthcare above what amounts to building a pub, albeit in a fancy location.

    If it's such a good scheme, why can't some investor come in and build it?
    Then the government could maybe spend tax money on helping people on a benefit improve their education, or giving Auckland adequate public transport?

    Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report Reply

  • Michelle,

    ... oh dear - I thought the whole point of going overseas was to grow up?

    Auckland • Since Aug 2009 • 5 posts Report Reply

  • Michelle,

    Wifey (aka "The Little Woman" aka "if you call me Wifey or The Little Woman again, I'll kick your fuckin head in") was a grad school designing inflatable (MEMBRANE) habitats for the Moon and Mars before I knocked her up, whacked her on the back of the head, and dragged her back to my cave^W^W New Zealand.


    Oh dear - I thought the whole point of going overseas was to grow up?

    Auckland • Since Aug 2009 • 5 posts Report Reply

  • SamDport,

    Well I like it--you'd see it down Queen St, I'd sit out there for lunch. Just need to keep red fence up for a little longer to keep the rugger-bugger-beer-swillers out for world cup and I'd be happy. Where are all those Quay St through-cars gonna go though?

    Devonport • Since Aug 2009 • 1 posts Report Reply

First ←Older Page 1 2 Newer→ Last

Post your response…

Please sign in using your Public Address credentials…

Login

You may also create an account or retrieve your password.