Site survey QUT GP Ferry Station

Observation Round 1

Fri 8/May/2015 3-4:00pm

l  The current ferry station is brand new design by Brisbane city council with same design language comparing with other ferry stations. It has original as major color and asymmetric design gives it a futuristic looking and provide more space and comfortable environment for passengers.

l  The pathway is from QUT S/Z block, cross the bridge and extent to over the river. All pathway are design for pedestrians’ priority purpose and almost all pathway are under covered.

l  For security reason, the 24hours camera deployed around ferry station and bicycle lane.

Observation Round 2

10/May/2015 7-9:00pm

l  Ferry Station itself has large space for our project installation, however, we should take consider about our equipment should be water-proof and with high capability of stabilization as its consist of half concrete and half float.   

l  The view is extremely beautiful as its can see the panorama of Southbank.

l  The surround area has lots of tree and undercover area, the light may require reset.

People observation

For round 1

During peak time of after-school and after work, it had heavy people flow from university or CBD companies to get ferry to back to home:

l  1 Group of students kept talking with joyful (QUT IT students, age between 18-25, male and female);

l  2 male businessman kept conversation with business suit (Telstra, age between 40-45, to Kangaroo point and Sydney road);

l  Several individual sitting around waiting seats and reject to talk (seems on 20 group with Asia face);

l  Several business man wearing suit from age group 30-50 said to take ferry easily avoid congestion on M3 & M5.

For round 2

Group of Elder Australia coupe from age 50 to have an evening exercise on Southbank parkland as well as bicycle rider and young couples (Totally around 20 people);

Two young couples finished shopping and on the way back to home located in the South Brisbane；

Group of young teenagers planned to watch the movie Avengers (asked school and got anticipated answer – UQ/just finished mid-term exam/accouter student);

One female on the way to work (nurse, St Vincent’s aged care, night Shift)

Conclusion

Thanks to the government, the ferry station is brand- new and design for friendly and comfortable public environment. Enough camera and lighting system attracted lots of people to do exercises and feel confident about their safety. Based on my observation, passenger normally choose ferry as its conveniences and did not affected by traffic jam. In weekend, people will take ferry to relax and enjoy beautiful viewing of riverside.

Besides looked around rive, people had nothing to do and easily created awkward silent which provide an opportunity for place installation to attract their attention.

Weekend, passenger is easier to have interested in the installation which create curiosity (invitations) for them. Project should focus on breach the prohibitions of ferry station and against the theory of “drains joy from our lives”. In small and close environment, if project successfully attract few people attention and create stirs, then will have every one’s interests. However, the project must be short and fun as time limited.