ABN412 Master Studio One Project 1: The Great Hall of Cerberus

Fifty Question-and-Answer flashcards covering key concepts from the lecture notes on ABN412 Project 1: The Great Hall of Cerberus.

Who is the client for the Great Hall of Cerberus project?

Siegfried Zeitz, the great-grandson of Hugo Zeitz, a Dresden tobacco and cigarette factory owner.

What industry was Hugo Zeitz associated with?

Tobacco and cigarette manufacturing; owner of the Yenidze factory in Dresden.

Where is the Yenidze factory located?

West of Dresden’s historic city core, on the south bank of the Elbe River opposite the Marien Bridge.

What architectural feature characterizes Yenidze’s exterior skin?

An eclectic blend of Orientalist elements, including minarets and domes.

Who designed Yenidze and when was it designed?

Martin Hammitzsch, under the direction of Hugo Zietz, between 1907 and 1909.

What did the Yenidze skin convey about the tobacco brand?

It created an image of luxury and sophistication, linking tobacco products to refinement.

Describe the Cerberus machine in brief.

A colossal machine weighing 6,000 metric tons, 12 meters in diameter and 16 meters high, designed to harness the fabric of the universe.

What time-related capabilities does Cerberus have?

It can unlock future possibilities, understandings, and potentially manipulate time/context.

What is the Great Hall of Cerberus intended to be?

A monumental container or pavilion to house the Cerberus machine.

Which Brisbane site is designated for the Great Hall?

The Samford Plaza Hotel site, bounded by the Brisbane River, Kangaroo Point Green Bridge, Margaret and Edward Streets.

What visitor behavior is required in the Hall regarding Cerberus?

Visitors must pay homage in a quasi-religious manner and help direct Cerberus’s power.

What major material is to be used as the principal building element?

Glass, to emphasize and showcase transparency.

What sustainability challenge is linked to the Hall’s glass construction in Brisbane?

The design must address significant sustainability and passive environmental control issues.

How is the Hall conceptually described to symbolize its purpose?

As a Crystal Skull, a blooming bud, and a site eruption symbolizing a vibrant future.

What role does landscape play in the project?

It forms the gasket uniting the Brisbane Botanic Gardens and River with the Hall and provides polychrome illumination.

Which historical precedents are suggested for the Hall’s design language?

World’s Fairs grand exhibition architecture and glasshouse forms from botanical gardens (palm houses, orangery, conservatories, winter gardens).

What is the minimum Gross Floor Area required for Project 1?

At least 2,500 square meters.

How many basements are required and what are their purposes?

At least two levels of basement: one for services and one for parking.

What is the grand entrance feature for the Hall?

A triple-volume grand entrance podium.

What lighting and water features are planned for Cerberus’s presentation?

Kaleidoscopic projections, extensive water use, a fountain on the dome, and abundant electrical lighting.

Describe the two sectional portions of the Hall.

A bright, sparkling upper section to house Cerberus and a dark, sombre lower portion containing services; both visible to the public.

When is Project 1 due for oral presentation and submission?

Week 7 (1 September 2025) from 10:00 to 14:00; PDF submission to Canvas beforehand.

Are reuse of previous work or the use of AI tools allowed for Project 1?

No; reuse of previous work or Generative AI tools is not permitted.

What percentage of the assessment is dedicated to research and knowledge integration?

30% (Learning Outcome related to researching and integrating information).

What does the 30% research outcome emphasize beyond information gathering?

Knowledge and application of architectural history/theory, environmental and social sciences, and basic building/construction principles.

What is the focus of the second 30% assessment criterion?

Development and evaluation of multiple design options considering heritage, cultural/community values, and planning constraints.

What is expected in the 40% assessment regarding design proposals?

Original, imaginative design propositions, clear site/context analysis, and effective communication to diverse audiences.

What should the design proposal integrate to be considered strong?

Emergent knowledge, design precedent, contextual analysis, and thoughtful site considerations.

What sources are suggested for information on briefs and conceptual design?

The Australian Institute of Architects Practice Notes; login via a QUT IP address.

How should students present their design work for Project 1?

Using large format sheets with annotated illustrations, plans, sections, elevations, 3D representations, and numerous physical conceptual models.

Who holds the principal agency to act on behalf of the client for this project?

The studio leader.

What overarching societal aim is expressed for the Hall and Cerberus?

To reinvent and reinvigorate society through citizen collaboration with the Cerberus machine.

What is the implied relationship between Cerberus and the Brisbane site?

Cerberus is integrated into a public-facing institution that engages with the city and its landscape.

What does Cerberus claim to harness in the universe?

The very fabric of the universe and its future possibilities.

What are the exact weight and dimensions of Cerberus?

6,000 metric tons; 12 meters in diameter; 16 meters high.

What is the Samford Plaza Hotel’s fate in the project plan?

The hotel site will be demolished to make way for the Great Hall.

What is the decorative and lighting intent for the landscape around the Hall?

Polychrome illumination with long wreaths of light climbing into a coronet, emphasizing radiance.

What is meant by the term ‘transparency, both literal and phenomenology’?

Transparency of the glass building and the experiential clarity of how Cerberus operates within it.

Why is water usage and fountains emphasized in the dome design?

To enhance spectacle, lighting effects, and the overall atmosphere of the hall.

What does the brief say about being based in established precedents?

The Hall should be modern yet firmly based on established precedents and best practices.

What is the expected public accessibility of Cerberus’s two sections?

Both the upper Cerberus-housing and the lower services should be visible and accessible to the public.

What is the designer’s belief about light and enlightenment?

Light, prosperity, and enlightenment are conceived as one and the same.

What is the intended “unified reinvention” of the project?

A cohesive vision where the Hall celebrates and displays a bright, promising future for society.

What are the two main urban and landscape connections described for the site?

The Brisbane Botanic Gardens and River; the Kangaroo Point Green Bridge; Margaret and Edward Streets.

What kinds of spaces did Yenidze’s interior include beyond manufacturing?

Healthcare, electrical lighting, changing rooms, restrooms, and cooked meals for workers.

What is the scale and significance of the Cerberus installation in the context of this design exercise?

A monumental, city-scale installation meant to symbolize advanced technology and societal progress.

What does the brief require regarding communication media for Project 1?

Heavy use of architectural communication media to explain and demonstrate the design process.

What kind of form is the Great Hall expected to resemble according to the brief?

A crystal-like, highly faceted, explosive architectural mass—an eruptive form.

What does the term ‘pavilion building’ imply for the Hall?

A standalone, self-contained structure that is not merely an enclosed room but a distinct building.

Which features should be visible when the Hall is viewed in section?

Two distinct portions (upper bright Cerberus housing and lower dark services) should be visible.

What is the overall design directive regarding the Hall’s morphology?

A grand, glazed dome with a fountain, fountains, water installations, and lighting within a democratic, public-facing form.

What is the intended cultural tone of the Hall’s exterior and interior?

Luxurious, refined, mystical, exotic, yet technologically advanced.

How should climate and environment be treated in the design?

With a strong emphasis on passive environmental control and sustainable strategies.

What is the role of the site’s historic architecture in the concept?

The concept relies on advisable precedents while adapting to a present/future Brisbane context.