Doncaster Mediatheque Our final project brief was to create a centre that celebrates digital media in the heart of Doncaster.
The design development was heavily linked with urban design and generating something that sat comfortably within its town
centre context.
The designated site was a
real challenge to work with although it was vast in size. My initial concept was to maximise the use of space and its many
corners and angles by encouraging people to travel through a series of sequential spaces. Much like a how a book draws its
reader in; I based the concept of the building(s) having a "beginning, middle and end", which incidentally became
the sequential spaces.
Using a hierarchy of
activities a gradual discovery of new activities can be found as people progress into the centre with the idea to display
as much as possible. This was also incorporated with the building design by exposing structural elements and bare materials
to really emphasize the mediatheque was all about "showcase". The use of glass to provide maximum transparency into
the different zones help not only to display what is going on around you but also gives an alive and buzzing atmosphere.
Cusworth Glasshouse Academy
The site
is a disused bowling green within the grounds of Cusworth Hall in Doncaster. We were asked to design public gardens open to
the public and an attached horticultural training facility.
The layout was designed to provide a choice of journeys but all with similar
outcomes; to offer surprise. Almost all angles offer cascading vistas through the site, with the ability to progress and find
another.
To
reduce the overall scale and massing of the structures, there were driven into the ground to minimise any vertical intrusion
and provide an unexpected courtyard at the lower level.
Although the courtyard was at a lower level, sunken plant beds were used to provide the feeling that
you are elevated above the ground. These areas of hard landscaping provide an excellent vantage point of the external planting.
Bakewell
Health Centre A
site currently used as a car park has been ear marked for development and the reaching out of the existing high street. Our
brief was to design a health care centre with consultant rooms and admin facilities that utilise its location in this quiet
Derbyshire town.
The layout was developed to allow logical
passage through from public space to private space as privacy is a very key issue when it comes to healthcare
As the site is located in a conservation area, the scheme has been sympathetic
to its surrounds by its choice of materials and visual impact.
YSP Art Workshop
The brief based at Yorkshire Sculpture park (YSP) was to create
a art workshop along with accommodation suites to allow for groups and individuals extended stay. The building is separated
into three zones; accommodation, public and workshop.
The massing reflects the sensitive green surrounds with any increases in mass disguised
within the organic flow of the roof structure. The layout of the zones allow for integration and interaction between the visiting
public and the artists within the centrally located communal hub
Although the elevation may seem to stretch
across a large distance the way the building is hunkered down and blended into the landscape with the roof structure help
to minimise visual impact. Sections of glass are used not only to provide transparency and views but reflects the beautiful
natural surroundings again helping to camouflage its presence.
Overtime, plants will be encouraged to grow up the walls and attach to the
roof providing a truly organic skin to the already organic structure.
SHU Pavilion
This
was a relatively short prject that explored the idea of creating an easily collapsable and reusable pavilion .
The use of reclaimed telegraph poles and gental curves softens the appearance of the instalation whilst providing
a solid structure.
