Endless Vernacular

By effectively "borrowing" the vernacular in both its exterior shell, and internal membrane, the possibility for flexible, progressive and almost modular approaches to architectural form offer a multitude of possible design solutions.  Flexibility is an element that when effectively in place, will achieve the desired longevity and lifelong effectiveness of an ever changing architectural vehicle or process. 

While the structure itself must have some form of rigidity or uniform presence, there is a multitude of options in terms of external and internal spaces, which shall give a sort of malleability for the structure to take on the needs and wants of those who desire it's presence.

By embracing the ideas of the present virtual environment, and integrating them into the architectural vehicles presence and essence, the opportunity arises to stay at the forefront of connectivity with the audience, the users, and the greater public as a whole.  By using an effective means to distribute and receive information on a wide spectrum of devices, planes and realities, there is the possibility for endless combinations and outcomes, keeping the architectural medium alive, and transparent; stilled in indeterminacy.

Working as one with its surroundings, climate, natural and built environments, geography, and social context, shall be the mode and  rhythm to which the building shall change.  It's strength lying in the ability to remain relevant and effective in service and distribution while forces change ever around it.  Forces such as societal, economic, and environmental changes are ever relevant, so the parliamentary body must also be able to embrace these changes.  The ideas and theories outlined above give an effective yet broad means to tackle this issue of indeterminacy in structure and presence.

Unified Themes

Effective integration on all levels is the way to create an architectural vehicle that will effectively and imaginatively embrace and communicate the vast multitude of culture, presence or forms that are relatively available to the span and array of environments that this model could effectively be place into.  This can only be achieved by creating a balance between that of strategies and aims.  Giving each equal weighting, thought, care and attention, as then together as one, they push forth to strive to create a well rounded and unified approach towards that of modern political and cultural expression.

In becoming almost a device built upon the conglomeration of these themes, ideas, visions and effective solutions, there shall be an approach, that even in its immense flexibility, shall be a notion of strength, compassion, equality and grounding.  The vehicles ability to be mobile shall lie in its grounding to be effectively distributed to where it needs to be.  The ability to access, evaluate and respond this need, is an ability that not only lies in flexibility, but also in the virtual world, with the implications of multi user access, identification and effective service distribution being of key focus.

Unifying the services of the political model is something to be addressed also, with the current fractured model needing somewhat of a streamlining, focusing on the services and powers provided, and then having them work for and with one another, to achieve unity in operations, effective flow of information, and cross consulting between various existing departments on new, previous and current ideas. 

MOBILE STRATEGY

"Creating a nomadic parliamentary services model, working in conjunction with existing local government and nationwide infrastructure, to create a seamlessly integrated and effective means to bring the government and political process closer to home."

Not one strategy, But all.

The idea of unifying all of the strategies identified (mobile, distributed, flexible, virtual) into a succinct and well executed example, taking the most applicable elements from each strategy and using them together, as a whole.  Each element’s weaknesses being bolstered by the strengths of the next, creating a seamless approach to the future of Australian Parliament.  In operating a various levels of connection with the environment, existing services and infrastructure, the community, culture, vernacular; all within the boundaries of a flexible and mobile vehicle or system, shall give an strong future orientated approach, grounded in uncertainty and indeterminacy.

Current Disconnection

In the current political climate there seems to be a disposition between the average Australian household or individual, and their equal involvement in the “democratic” process which the western world prides itself upon.  This somewhat "disconnection" leads to the eventual shift away from effective and community based governance, to the more sinister and broad model of the state or federal examples.

Emphasis on the local

Drawing the focus back onto the local community to embrace the engrained culture that makes the idea of the "Iconic Australian" so appealing.  Giving the government more of a local front, and local identity, to which the greater community can identify with, and embrace, as they see political, social and humanitarian action at work.  This moves away from the current approach of the disconnection of the average person from the political process, and puts much more of a focus on what it best for ones community, and what can they do personally to make it a better place to live.  Thus in turn making this architectural vehicle, an entity through which this process can take place.

Refocus identity

Moving away from the traditional notion of Australian politics being based solely out of Canberra or state capitals for major decision making.  Bringing the focus back into that of the community, giving the local identity and spirit the control of many of the aspects of its governance is a factor which is key in the operation and integration of this nomadic and mobile concept.  Grounding the parliament in notions of mateship, community and reliability, is effectively grounding this in engrained cultural and social ideas pre-existing in the greater Australian community, and thus ensuring these ideals for the future of all Australians.  

Distributed Services | Nomadic Parliament

The idea of distributing specific architecture, personnel and services to the community which requests it, with the notion of seamless integration with the existing environment is the key focus of this mobility strategy.  Utilizing effective networks both physical and virtual, of communications, infrastructure, support, and personnel, and effectively overseeing their distribution from a central hub, or multitude of smaller nexuses, is a notion in which distribution is able to be loose, and flexible yet still remain well based in  indeterminacy.

Quotable Quotes

"The twentieth century has been characterized by three developments of great political importance: the growth of democracy, the growth of corporate power, and the growth of corporate propaganda as a means of protecting corporate power against democracy" - Alex Carey

Nationalism is both a vital medicine and a dangerous drug Geoffrey Blainey - Historian

The most intense hatreds are not between political parties but within them Phillip Adams - journalist

"Australians will never acquire a national identity until individual Australians acquire identities of their own" - Patrick White | Author |

It's like the axe that's had two new blades and three new handles but otherwise is just as it was when grandfather bought it - Australian proverb

They who came here in chains, who were lashed while they worked in convict gangs at Port Arthur. They who like many others were driven through starvation or oppression from their home-lands to the shores of this new country, Australia. They, who for a multitude of reasons that hopefully, I or my children will never witness or experience, decided not to harbour grudges or discontent but rather to look to the future. They who embraced this country as their own and said; "let's get on with it, this is a new land, this is our home. Dennis O'Keeffe - Musician

Australians are, I have found, ready to laugh at themselves if they think that the joke is funny and the humour not ill-directed. And the ability to be self-deprecating is the mark of confidence; it is, as much as anything else, the yardstick by which a society measures how tolerant and self-assured it is Soumya Bhattacharya - Indian

What sort or peculiar capitalist country is this in which the workers' representatives predominate in the upper house....and yet the capitalist system is in no danger? Vladimir Lenin - Russian

A few years ago we colonised this place with some of our finest felons, thieves, muggers, alcoholics and prostitutes, a strain of depravity which I believe has contributed greatly to this country's amazing vigour and enterprise Ian Wooldridge - English

They are not a nation of snobs like the English or of extravagant boasters like the Americans or of reckless profligates like the French, they are simply a nation of drunkards Marcus Clark - English

Australia seems refreshingly free of class prejudice. Here people take you for what you are, and are less concerned with how you speak, what job you do, where you went to school etc. I enjoy meeting people from many walks of life and treating each other as equals. Paul Davies - British migrant

There is no better way of life in the world than that of the Australian. I firmly believe this. The grumbling, growling, cursing, profane, laughing, beer drinking, abusive, loyal-to-his-mates Australian is one of the few free men left on this earth. He fears no one, crawls to no one, bludges on no one, and acknowledges no master. Learn his way. Learn his language. Get yourself accepted as one of him; and you will enter a world that you never dreamed existed. And once you have entered it, you will never leave it. John O'Grady - Irish

Lecture and Tute Notes_Raw - Week 5

This is the relative documentation from our week 5 studio meeting, detailing our plan, and allocating the various tasks.

Week5

Lecture and Studio Notes 

Reading Response 9: Parliament in the Twenty first Century

Reading Response 9:

Parliament in the Twenty – first Century

Institutional Reform and Emerging Roles - John Halligan, Robin Miller and John Power

Parliament has been changing and adapting with the passage of time, particularly over the past forty years. As these changes have taken place formal education in Australia has increased, including the broadening of the curriculum at both Primary and Secondary levels to include studies in government and the parliamentary processes of decision making. These factors have caused people to become more interested and more aware of the wider world and other systems of government. “By the end of the 1960,s, parliaments had been largely confined to the institutional dustbin, except as a vehicle for the executive to formalise decisions made elsewhere. Over the past forty years, however, parliamentary institutions internationally have undergone a revival. This resurgence has occurred on the back of extensive institutional change and adaption.”

As technology advances and society has progressed in other areas of life, parliament has also adapted to accommodate the rapidly changing world in which we live. Some would say that although in Australia much change has taken place, many of our systems and laws require further modification.

These days’ politicians are pressured to vote “with the party”. Halligan, Miller and Power are correct when they state “It (parliament) is no longer a forum for individuals to support concerns of their constituents ...... the proceedings have generated into a continuous and elementary election campaign.”  “Crossing the floor” is akin to desertion. In the rare instances where a member has voted against the party line the politician involved is usually condemned by the party faithful or applauded by the opposition. Generally the vote will receive wide media coverage. Voting with one’s conscious or reflecting the voice of the electorate is rare.

Major reforms have occurred within the parliamentary process to cope with the ever workloads as our country has moved from a small self sufficient insular nation to that of a modern Australia, a full participant in the international arena. To cope with these changes and ever increasing workloads Parliament has adapted and appointed committees to deal with these extra demands. “The common response of parliaments internationally to modern demands and public expectations has been to develop their internal structures. Generally this has involved much of the business of the chamber being transferred to small groups of members meeting as committees.

A committee system can be seen to have distinctive advantages through reducing overload on the chambers; allowing for a different operating style and less partisan discussion; offering scope for members to make concrete contributions and facilitating communication with citizens.” Without these committees it would be impossible for parliament to meet its current workload and cope with the pace of life outside its walls. Indeed even the processes and systems under which these committees operate, has also been subject to change.

Halligan, Miller and Power state “It would be no exaggeration to say that the whole parliamentary reform movement was a movement for parliamentary committees ....The general growth in committee systems over the last two decades is well documented, and the contribution of specific committee inquiries and the impact of reports on public debate and government action is substantial.” It is heartening that some of the work of these committees is subject to public scrutiny. We have the media to thank for this. Coverage is sometimes uneven. It would appear that it often depends on what story will most benefit the media, rate the highest or sell the most papers.

Attitudes toward government accountability and transparency are at the forefront of much government debate today. Often the “story” where this has occurred indeed deflects from the real issue. Whilst it is essential government decision making processes are monitored, governments must be free to get on with the process of governing. “The fundamental tenet of Westminster is that government ministers are members of Parliament and in a formal sense parliament is said to be responsible for making the government and then holding it to account.”TSTORY WILL MOST BENEFIR THE MEDUIA, RATE THE HIGHEST OR SELL THE MOST PAPERS.

Halligan, Miller and Powerare indeed correct when they state “The tension between the needs of responsible government centred on governing and that of parliamentary government focussed on accountability remain fundamental.” It is essential that governments are allowed to complete the tasks they were elected to undertake. However a system of accountability is critical and must be inherent in all parliamentary processes. Indeed the functions of parliament have moved and involved as has the nation it represents. It is crucial that the process of evolution continues as the people, society, customs, values and other essential components that contribute to making Australia the nation it is are allowed to be the gears that drive the development of parliament in the twenty – first century.