#leith proposal

One of the key design features in my public space is a geometric form ceiling raft; acting as both a way to diffuse even light across the space, and as a sculptural element of the room.. bringing the space out of the purely functional realm, into being a space for meditation and reflection. The idea being to create a translucent and glowing ceiling, that appears to weightlessly float.. appearing lightweight like a folded piece of paper resting above.  Diffused even light is very important for a library space, and having been inspired by both geometric fluctuating ceilings i have seen in public spaces, and the way the lighting is diffused in canopies in the University Library, I am compelled to create a striking feature of this functional aspect of design.  But I’m not a lighting designer; I have no idea how, in practice, this would work.  I need to do research enough to make the vision a reality.  At the moment its purely abstract; and I need to be able to 100% justify my design decisions.  Whatever I include in my designs, I must have full conviction in my ideas, and for that, I need more research. 

Visualising massing on site as it abuts and grows out of the existing buildings. I think the height and the sense of being cut away and transforming as it wraps the site will work really well in its location. But as I explore the design from a human scale the room shapes will inherently dictate facade changes.. Need to balance designing for the optimum spaces whilst retaining and further promoting the visual identity I am trying to achieve.

Black Pearl House, Rotterdam Rolf.fr Architects Old meets new here in this unique facade.. The architects have taken on the brief of conversion in a way I've never seen before, as demonstrated mainly through the window design. The old design remains, stamped through with the new window placement, working alongside bit contrasting the ghosts of what once was. This idea of transformation continues through the interior as elements are stripped back, altered and transformed. Creating a layering of time and designs, collaged in once space. It seems to me almost comical, and cartoony, but still deeply honouring the past. And is a bold and unique take on a both conservation and conversion. This layering of time and transformation of design is something I am to achieve in my Leith project.. But this window design is very bold and as much as think it's brilliant. It's received mixed reviews from those I've asked in the studios.. Where is the line between creativity and expression and public appeal.. And how far so I want to push my design in terms of experimental design and appeal.

Having got a sense of massing, relationship between internal spaces, and ideas of materiality and form, I need to hone in and really get a deep understanding of what I need within my design;  What does a library need; in terms of light, layout and equipment.  What do my inhabitants need; accessibility, circulation space, comfort and light.  What do I need to provide in the private flats?  All of these factors will inevitably alter the facade and the overall massing of the building. Which I think is an exciting prospect, to see how it can transform as I look further into design from a human perspective.  And not only what the spaces NEED, but how do I want to make these spaces exciting and fulfilling places to be. 

Transition and growth through Design.  Perhaps an extreme example, but a key precedent for me right now, is ‘Dancing House’ in Prague.  Frank Gehry uses form to make clear references to the Baroque and Gothic buildings it surrounds, but distorts the typical traits of design, and creates this transition of design through the building.  Through my first design iteration of the co-housing scheme, I’ve been imagining the new build as a transition from the existing building adjacent to the site.  I want to express the characteristics of the area, whilst making a modern intervention in the site.  The form will wrap around the site, ‘growing’ out of the existing building, and transforming as you pan across the facade. The materials and cut-away elements, I hope, will express this carving away of the old and transformation into the new. 

Reflecting on design from a human perspective.  Although I’ve been deciding how much space I need for each element in the design, and how they will connect within the design, I still feel like I need to analyse the living patterns and how the spaces will feel from the inside.  I need to move away from designing on a neighbourhood scale, and move through to what’s important; the humans inhabiting the spaces.  One of the reasons I wanted to design senior co-housing was to move away from the typical housing available for seniors. I want to create fun, interesting spaces, and although I want the design to fit in to its context, and above all, be usable to everyone inside, it needs to be fun. And bring joy to peoples lives like architecture should.  I think I can use this initial iteration as a base in which to be bold with my gestures and create spaces which are useable but exciting to be in. 

I’m constantly trying to think about my design on different levels; whilst currently settling on my typology proposal and thinking about occupant profiles, i’m mindful to be constantly thinking about aesthetics of the design, as well as purpose.  Whilst exploring the details of Leith, I came to explore the different ways of demarcating space, boundaries, and the way these are manifested through use of material, colour and form.  I want to reflect these interesting juxtapositions within the larger scale design of my buildings; making a living collage of people, activities and materials.