echoes

abn

15 836 696 521

address

Benjamin Greaves
PO Box 936
Newcastle NSW 2300

!
!!

telephone

0422 844 432

email

benjamingreaves@gmail.com

This place unfurls into the sea, cupped in a unique edge condition,
where nature and urbane interrelate,
endemic and becoming of its people,
intangible to understand, but for experience.

!
Without a periphery your senses heighten,
absorbed by the flux of paean hymns,
nature reminds us its benevolence,
and waters patience and amplification.

!
Traditions of history and knowledge are echoed
as we learn to understand this place and eachother
and if we listen carefully we may hear ourselves

Rachel Cogger | Benjamin Greaves

echoes
Coastal
Coastal Revitalisation
Revitalisation -- Bathers
Bathers Way
Way
What is Coastal Revitalisation?

Nobbys Beach
Nobbys Beach

What ishas
Coastal
Revitalisation?
Council
a vision
for a smart, liveable
PREMISE:

Project Proposal:

BATHERS WAY
BATHERS WAY

Council
has a vision
smart, includes
liveable
and
sustainable
city. for
Thisa vision
andrevitalisation
sustainable of
city.
includes
the
ourThis
coastvision
to provide
the
the revitalisation
of ournecessary
coast to provide
the
standard
of facilities
to attract
standard
necessary
to attract
people
to of
live,facilities
work and
play in Newcastle.
people
to
live,
work
and
play
in
Newcastle.
Coastal revitalisation is a priority project.
Coastal
revitalisation
is a priority
project.
The
priority
coastal revitalisation
project
for
Thecommunity
priority coastal
project for
the
is therevitalisation
Bathers Way.
the community is the Bathers Way.

BATHERS
WAY
Nobbys Beach to

Nobbys Beach
Bathers Way is a significant project enhancing community
Nobbys Beach

Newcastle East - Tahlbihn

recreation and amenity along a precious coastline. This project

DESIGN
is a rare opportunity to enhance connection to place,

!
!!

telephone

0422 844 432

email

benjamingreaves@gmail.com

Newcastle Beach
Newcastle Beach

Newcastle Beach
Newcastle Beach

What is Happening in 2014?

What is Happening
in 2014?
Construction
works along
the coast are

Construction
theofcoast
yearworks
roundalong
as part
a 10 are
Nobbysoccurring
toprogram
Newcastle
Beach
promenade.
occurring
yeartoround
as part
of a 10 of
year
improve
the quality

the
Way
beenof
yearcoastline.
program Bathers
to improve
thehas
quality
completed
at Merewether
Work is
the coastline.
Bathers WayBeach.
has been
now
underway
at:
completed
at Merewether
Beach. Work is
nowBathers
Way
underway
at:Dixon Park
Merewether
Bathers WayOcean
Dixon Baths
Park rehabilitation
Merewether Ocean Baths rehabilitation
Detailed planning is also underway for:
Detailed
Bathers
Way atisKing
Park
planning
also Edward
underway
for:
Bathers
Newcastle
Beach
to Nobbys.
Way
at King
Edward Park
Newcastle Beach to Nobbys.
Council would like to thank the community
for
their would
contribution
this project.
Council
like toto
thank
the community

RATIONALE:

King Edward Park

DESIGN
King
Edward Park
DESIGN
UNDERWAY
UNDERWAY

Images: Newcastle City Council Bathers Way Proposal

King Edward Park

King Edward Park

Strzelecki Lookout

Strzelecki Lookout

The select section of promenade is aMemorial

marginal
site condition, its edge the nexus between
Drive
Memorial Drive

environment, culture and history. Depth of experience is principally ocular with accessibility and
for their contribution to this project.

view to both horizon and landmarks a 180 degree uninterrupted aperture. This proposal
recognises an opportunity to effectively broaden the relationship to place through other more
Bar Beach

UPGRADE

Memorial Drive

Bar Beach
intangible sensibilities
andDrive
tactility.
Memorial
COMPLETE
UPGRADEexploring sounds

Bar Beach
Bar Beach

COMPLETE

Sonification
of experience is passive and incidental, exploring intangible sensibilities of the
DESIGN UNDERWAY - stage 2
UNDERWAY - stage 2
maritimeDESIGN
environment
as an individual or collective. A soundscape is a meaningful contribution
CONSTRUCTION Dixon Park
to understanding
of time and space; and potentially powerfully centric experience influenced
CONSTRUCTION
UNDERWAY - stage 1 Dixon Park

UNDERWAY -person,
stage 1
by the individual
whereas place shapes a persons activities and behaviour. The
UPGRADE
Park
Merewether
Beach the interaction
meaning an
individual
ascribes
to thisDixon
environment
is created precisely
through
Merewether
Beach

UPGRADE
COMPLETE

Merewether Beach

Dixon Park

between sound
and place, the inextricable link to identity.
COMPLETE

Merewether Beach

Merewether
Ocean Baths

Merewether
CONSTRUCTION

Ocean Baths

CONSTRUCTION
UNDERWAY
UNDERWAY

place is sensed, senses are placed;

as place makes sense, senses make place

rs
Wa y
Wa y

address

Benjamin Greaves
PO Box 936
Newcastle NSW 2300

Ocean Baths

The Batherspedestrian
Way be upgraded
provide
comfortable
and cycletoaccess
comfortable
pedestrian uses
and cycle
for
diverse recreational
alongaccess
our
for diverse
recreational
along
our
beautiful
coast,
includinguses
wider
shared
beautiful coast,
wider
shared
pathways,
moreincluding
shade and
seating
and
pathways,
more shade and seating and
viewing
areas.
viewing areas.

B a th

Leber suggests that sound installations can create an acoustic environment, away from the
rs

DESIGN
UNDERWAY
UNDERWAY

celebrating cultural, historical and environmental context.Newcastle

Ocean
Baths
Newcastle

SITE:
abn

15 836 696 521

What is Proposed?
What
is Proposed?
The
Bathers
Way be upgraded to provide

B a th

nastier, more unpalatable acoustics aspects which enriches the acoustic experience (2011,
pers. comm. 18 May). If a place evokes a unique experience, or gains an individuals attention,
this may resonate in fond memories of the place, and an individual may bestow value upon the
location.

People have emotional reactions to the built environment, and the soundscape is one of the
major contributing factors of peoples experience of place.

Some environments possess a higher level of sense of place than others. Feld (1996) suggests
that as creating places that infuse a rich sensory experience and evoke positive emotional
responses for users is essential to ensure that places provide meaning for the people who use
Rachel Cogger | Benjamin Greaves

Page 2

echoes

them. Such places encourage people to dwell and connect with one another. They provide
Project Proposal:

BATHERS
WAY
Nobbys Beach to

opportunities for social interactions and are important to the health and well-being of people.
People can be deeply affected and touched by the soundscape or disaffected and tune out
from their environment. With an increased focus on usability, liveability and experiential values
in urban environments, attention to the soundscape becomes of central importance.

Newcastle East - Tahlbihn

The soundscape; analogous to the term landscape, is an integral component of the urban
environment, and contributes to the identity and specificity of that environment (Botteldooren

abn

15 836 696 521

2008). The soundscape is the totality of all sounds within a location, with an emphasis on the

relationship between individuals or societys perception of, understanding of, and interaction

address

Benjamin Greaves
PO Box 936
Newcastle NSW 2300

with the sonic environment. Like a landscape, a soundscape is simultaneously a physical

environment and a way of perceiving that environment.

!
!!

telephone

0422 844 432

EXISTING ART ENVIRONMENT:

email

benjamingreaves@gmail.com

Significant scope to enhance

Newcastle's renowned arts and
cultural identity. There is depth (as
pictured) in the urban environment,
however absent from coastline and
King Edward Park, both endemic
to its people and lifestyle.

Art can be playful, interactive,

and respond to environment.
Art can be a reflection of its
people.

Images: ABC 1233 Radio Artologue, Newcastle. The blue icons denote artworks in public domain.

Sculpture by the Sea exhibitions worldwide demonstrate art complementary to recreational

amenity suchlike Sydneys infamous coastal walks.

Benefits may extend beyond recreational amenity to strengthening regional arts and cultural
identity, tourism, acknowledging heritage and celebrating the lifestyle of Newcastle.
Rachel Cogger | Benjamin Greaves

Page 3

echoes

PROPOSAL:
Project Proposal:

BATHERS
WAY
Nobbys Beach to

The proposal identifies with the maritime environment with the installations drawn from

Newcastle East - Tahlbihn

through sound to echo narratives of experiential learning and enhanced identity with place.

reconciliation of contextual influences to site. Visually unobtrusive and respectful of icons in

location, no impediment to pedestrian coastal view, materiality and form of minimal expression
with relationships to existing maritime/military heritage. The installation explores landscape

The installations are a piecemeal variation of the rhythm of the promenade, allowing varied
abn

15 836 696 521

scales of engagement celebrating specific context through social cognitive interaction.

address

Benjamin Greaves
PO Box 936
Newcastle NSW 2300

!
!!

telephone

0422 844 432

email

benjamingreaves@gmail.com

!
INSTALLATION ONE:
1 off. Concrete steel reinforced monolithic tapered pillar, scalloped face to
ocean/ promenade face (acoustic control), timber (recycled red ironbark) bench seating
insert (amenity).
Approx. 3 cubic metres concrete, pending complementary council design detail oxides
are proposed for stages of pour.
Nominal Dimensions:
2000mmx800mmx2000mmH, tapered 550mm t.o.w.
spherical scallop 1800mm dia. 600mm depth.
INSTALLATION TWO:
2 off. Concrete steel reinforced monolithic tapered pillar, scalloped face to
ocean/ promenade face (acoustic control), timber bench seating insert (amenity), and steel
pipe to each unit and base of ocean retaining wall.
Rachel Cogger | Benjamin Greaves

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Approx. 6 cubic metres concrete and additive, pending complementary council design
Project Proposal:

detail oxides are proposed for stages of pour.

BATHERS
WAY
Nobbys Beach to

Nominal Dimensions:
2000mmx800mmx2000mmH, tapered 470mm t.o.w.
spherical scallop 1800mm dia. 500mm depth.

Newcastle East - Tahlbihn

[NB: Dimensions may be reduced, including the scalloping (1200-600mm Dia.)

3 off. 80mm Dia. pipe and sump(s) (varies) connecting two pillared seats and multiple feed
line to ocean retaining wall, angled for drainage and sand release.

abn

15 836 696 521

address

Benjamin Greaves
PO Box 936
Newcastle NSW 2300

!
!!

telephone

0422 844 432

email

benjamingreaves@gmail.com

INSTALLATION THREE:
5 off. Stainless steel outlets and associated steel 80-100mm Dia. pipe and sump(s) (varies).
Nominal Dimensions:
Variations to each openings for echo, collective communication, and

soundscape. Base pipe dia. nom. 50-120mm, 130 lineal metres proposed.

Other considerations:
- The pillar profile and form of each installation for a more tenable installation piece minimises
impediment on Bathers Way footpath width, nor any alternate vistas particular to the
pedestrian periphery. Given existing scope for proposed seating and shelter, the installation
proposed possesses a similar spatial envelope, maintaining seat amenity.
- Orientation to east and isolated position proposed shelter from inclement weather is
negatable, same for solar shade due to sun angles. The installation would deliver vertical
shading from hotter north-western sun comparable to any shelter device.

Rachel Cogger | Benjamin Greaves

Page 5

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Project Proposal:

Bathers Way Noise Measurements

BATHERS
WAY
Nobbys Beach to

23rd May, 2014

Surf Club

Start Time: 11:30am

Recording Length: 15 minutes
Instrument: Brel & Kjr Sound Level Meter, Type 2250

Newcastle East - Tahlbihn

Fort Scratchley

Location 4

abn

15 836 696 521

an
Espl

address

Benjamin Greaves
PO Box 936
Newcastle NSW 2300

Wind Speed: 3m/s

Location 3
LAeq(15min): 67.9 dB
LAmax: 86.9 dB
LAmin: 56.7 dB
LA90: 60.2 dB

!
!!

Wind Speed: 3m/s

Location 2
aths

B
cean

telephone

0422 844 432

email

benjamingreaves@gmail.com

LAeq(15min): 66.6 dB
LAmax: 87.5 dB
LAmin: 58.1 dB
LA90: 61.4 dB

ade

tland
Shor

Location 1
LAeq(15min): 69 dB
LAmax: 86.2 dB
LAmin: 56.5 dB
LA90: 60.3 dB

LAeq(15min): 66.4 dB
LAmax: 83.4 dB
LAmin: 56 dB
LA90: 58.6 dB
Wind Speed: 3m/s

Wind Speed: 3m/s

- Frangibility is managed through robust material selection, monolithic install, minimisation of

parts with negligible maintenance especially with anti graffiti finishing to concrete and steel
piping.
- Installations are interactive sculptural artworks, not play equipment mitigating safety surfaces;
however TGSI would be required about the install. Subtle curves in TGSI set out similar to
ripples about install would strengthen the install relationship to path and graphics without
compromising safety of impaired pedestrians.
- Project expense may be reduced through formwork reuse and if quantities included with
existing scheduling, grants and associated costs.
- The installations all augment speaking and listening, and largely do not create sound at all.
Any sound inference from the installations would be a localised to the installation, and lower
than traffic noise or even tidal movements both recorded at 86dB in mild conditions.
- All pipes angled for self drainage, affixed to and/or under concrete, openings covered with
mesh cap insert.
BUDGET AND SCHEDULE:
Please refer attached preliminaries for scope of works. Note allowances may be subject to
variation until developed design finalised, which is subject to Newcastle City Council and
associated authorities amendment in consultation with artist(s).
APPENDIX:
Please refer proposal drawings and details attached.

Rachel Cogger | Benjamin Greaves

Page 6

Image: Artist sample decibel measurements, mid tidal change (low to high)

echoes

____________________________________________________________________________________
Project Proposal:

BATHERS
WAY
Nobbys Beach to

Reference:
Botteldooren, D., Verkeyn, A. & Lercher, P. 2003, A fuzzy rule based framework for noise
annoyance modelling, Journal of Acoustical Society of America, vol.114, no.3, pp.1487- 1498.
Karlsson 2000

Newcastle East - Tahlbihn

Botteldooren, D., De Coensel, B., & De Muer, Y. 2006, The temporal structure of urban
soundscapes, Journal of Sound and Vibration, vol. 292, no. 1-2, pp. 105-123.

abn

15 836 696 521

address

Benjamin Greaves
PO Box 936
Newcastle NSW 2300

!
!!

telephone

0422 844 432

Feld, S., & Basso, K. (Eds) 1996, Senses of Place. School of American Research Press, Santa
Fe, New

Mexico.

!
http://mail.sumner.wednet.edu/~Brandon_Frederick@sumnersd.org/S03482032.4/922008_102334_5.jpg
http://www.start-a-new-life-in-australia.com/images/australian-beaches-newcastle-nobby.jpg

email

benjamingreaves@gmail.com

Rachel Cogger | Benjamin Greaves

Page 7