Andreea component 1

COMPONENT ONE | Andreea Dinu

Start: 23/06/2023

Over six months

BRIEF | SPECIFICATION

Iamdesigninganon-denominationalplaceofworshipandspirituality, locatedinthe residentialareaofBushHill.Thegoalforthisprojectistodesignacommunalspacethat welcomesdiversereligions,Iwillachievethisbyderivinginspirationfrommodernised temples,andmeditation centres.Thisspacewillcatertothosewhoneedarecreational space,andguidancetopeace,whichwillbeprovidedbyrecreationalsupportprogramsin thefacility. Mythemeislinearwithhintsoforganicforms. I'dlike tobemindfulofsustainability inthisprojectwhichisoneofthereasonsIpicked mychosensiteinBushHill. Therearenoexistingstructureswhichnotonlymakesiteasier toenvisionallthepossibleideasImayhaveforthissite,butitalsomeansthatlittle tono carbonwillbewastedintheprocessofpreppingthesiteforbuilding. BushHillisdescribedasapopularresidentialsuburbduetothequalityofhomesinthe areaandthelargenumberofopenspaces,meaningthatmanypeopleseektostartfamilies here.Theareahasadiverseselectionofpeople,fromvariousdifferentbackgroundswhich issomethingthatcontributedtomyideaofbuildinganon-denominationalplaceof worship.Itwouldbringeveryoneinonespacetopracticespirituality,farawayfromtheir busyfamilylives.

Regardingthethemeoftheoverall structure,I'dliketogodowna morelinearaspectwhile using elementsoforganicformsinthe decorativestage.Ahuge inspirationofmineforthisproject isliminal spaces,thesearelarge openspaceswithina structurewhichappeareerieand surreal.

Features of the structure:

• Largeopeningsfornaturallightandventilation

• Iwouldliketohave2-3connectingbuildings onthesite, allflat

• Abodyofwater,naturalpool

• Manyoutdoorseatingspaces

• Apavilion

• Minimalfurnituretoemphasisetheideaof calmness

SITE LOCATION

Bush Hill cottage, London

Site location

Greenery

Residential areas

.Thesiteisa10-minutedrive awayfromcommercial establishments,itisalsolocated nearalargenaturalpark,which Ithinkwouldbenefitattendees ofthetempleasthey’d interestedinwellnessand recreationalactivities.

Theareaismainlyresidential,meaningthattherearenotmanysounddistractionswhichisperfect forthenatureofatemple. Thesiteitselfisunoccupied,thesurroundingcommunityhasnousefor it. Iwanttoturnthisintoacommunalplaceofworshipasthereisnothingsimilarinthearea,the closestchurchis30minutesaway.

Entrance

Overview

Thesitehasasubstantially largersurfaceareathan anyofthe surrounding establishments.Itis surroundedbytall greenerywhichallowsfor privacyandconcealment.

Cadmapper

SURROUNDING ARCHITECTURE

Secondary research

Tudor architecture

Tudorhomesarecharacterisedbyimpressive

Residential area

Theareadirectlysurroundingthesiteis mostlycomposedoftraditionalBritish homes.Thesearelargesuggestingthatthe areaisinhabitedbyhigherclassindividuals. I thinkthatthegeneralstyleoftheseisquite outdated,andtheyaredesignedtotrapheat insteadofventilationwhichisanother downside.

Bush hill park golf club

LOCAL AREA

Primary research

Transport links

Bus is a 10 minute walk away from the site, and overground train is up to 25 minutes away. Pedestrian walks are spacious and well kept, so are the bus stops and train stations.

Housing contrasts

The housing arrangements in the area are very discordant, while there are huge houses and private roads, there are council flats down the road or even facing these luxurious homes. Diverse class demographic.

Facilities

There is a gas station down the road from the site, facing it there are a couple of stores including Sainsburys. The facilities in proximity to the site are scarce and don’t seem to be convenient. No off-licence corner stores.

VISITING THE SITE

Bush Hill cottage, London

The site has been taken over by greenery, implying that much work will be necessary to clean it up as it's been vacant for a long time. I like the idea of having overarching vines coming down from the fences.

The original entrance is very huge, this is a feature I'd like to keep as my space is intended to welcome many people

The site itself is all flat and grassy

PLACES OF WORSHIP

Researching architectural basics

Sacral architecture relatestothepracticeofdesigningand constructing religiousstructures,suchaschurches,temples,mosquesand synagogues.

Characteristicsofreligiousbuilding;

• Grandiosity

• Monolithicmaterial

• Naturalelements

• Planthatcomplimentsspace

Monolithic material research

Insacredbuildings,stonesormarblesareoften usedasmonolithicmaterialsthatsymbolize unity,timelessness,andspiritualcontinuity. Thecraftsmanshipinvolvedintheirusereflects adevotedcommitmenttothesacredspace, whiletheirnaturalbeautyandacoustic propertiescontributetoanimmersivesensory experience.Theminimalist designofthese materialsallowsworshipperstodirecttheir focustowardsthespiritualessence,fosteringa connectionbetweenthedivineandearthly realm.Ultimately, theuseofmonolithic materialsinsacralarchitectureservesto enhancethesacredexperiencebyembodying enduringtraditionsandcreatingaharmonious environmentforreligiouscontemplationand rituals.

Somemonolithicmaterialsinclude

• Granite

• Marble

• Limestone

• Basalt

• Sandstone

• Travertine

• Concrete

• Quartzite

• Onyx

• Slate

Modern religious buildings

Modernreligiousbuildingsdifferfromtheiroldercounterpartsintermsofarchitecturalstyle, functionality, andmaterialsused.Unlikehistoricstructuresthatfollowedspecific,oftentraditional stylesandlayouts,moderndesignsaremoreopentoinnovationandflexibility.Advanced constructionmaterialsandtechnologyallowfortheintegrationofglass,steel,andeco-friendly elements.Modernreligiousarchitectureprioritizesinclusivity andaccessibility, cateringtothe needsofdiversecongregationswithfeaturessuchasrampsandmodernamenities.Moreover, contemporarydesignsoftenreflectinterfaithandmulticulturalconsiderations,promoting dialoguebetweendifferentreligiouscommunities. Theincorporationoftechnology,suchasaudiovisualsystemsandsustainablepractices,distinguishesmodernreligiousbuildings,emphasizing theiradaptabilitytochangingsocietalandenvironmentalvalues.

TheJubileeChurchinRome,Italy,isa modernarchitecturalmasterpiece designedbyRichardMeierin2003.The church'suniquegeometricshapesare createdbyreinforcedconcrete,while extensiveuseofglassallowsnaturallight tofloodthespaceandprovideavisual connectionwith thesurroundings.Steel elementsareusedforstructuralsupport, contributingtothechurch'soverall stability andaestheticappeal.These materialscombinetogivetheJubilee Churchadistinctiveandinnovative

Jubilee church Rome, Italy

WINDHOVER CONTEMPLATIVE CENTER

San Francisco, CA, USA

Thecentersimultaneouslyfunctionsasanartgallery,spiritualsanctuary,andcontemplativegarden onthebusyStanfordCampus,Providing a place for students, faculty, and staff to decompress and recenter themselves.. Windhover represents a new typology for institutional design, offering a lush, green sanctuary for viewing art and fostering personal well-being.

Features of the site:

• Bikepath

• Bamboohedge

• Entrywalkway

• Reflectingpool

• Stonesculptures

• Openaircourtyard

• Stonefountain

• Oakwoodland

• Stonelabyrinth

• Bikeparking

Full structure

Viewfrombackgarden,forestedandopenarea.The structureitselfisflatandhasnofloors,Ilikethis featureasitallowsformanyopeningsontherooffor naturallighting.

Entrance

Fromtheoutsideit’saminimally styledbuilding, thefencingdoesn’t providemuchprivacymakingthe establishmentinviting, alsofeaturinga spacetosit.

Mindfulness space

Openwallviewintobackyard,allindoorspace lacksfurnishings,avoidingmentalclutter. Ilike thisideaoflargeopenspacesit'ssomething I'mlookingtoincorporateintomyfinaldesign.

Hotstonepit, openwallofglass windowswhichrunsthroughoutthe wholebuilding. Enhancesmeditation atmosphere Meditation space

Plan view

WATERSLIDE BUDDHIST SHRINE

Hebei, China

ThisisaplaceforBuddhistmeditation,thinking andcontemplation,aswellasaplacesatisfying theneedsofdailylife.Thebuildingisinaforestbytheriverside.Thedesignstartedfromthe connectionbetweenthebuildingandnature,adoptsthemethodofearthingtohidethebuilding undertheearthmoundwhilepresentingthedivinetemperamentofnaturewithflowinginterior space

Interior

Thespacelooks compacthoweverit spreadsoveralarge surface,itisnot clutteredandmostly empty,somethingIaim todoformyfinal interior.

Windows

Acommoncharacteristic ofreligiousspacesisa skylight, somethingill makesuretoinclude intomyfinalpiece

Entrance

Theshrineisaccessible throughalongwalkwaycarved intothesideofthehill. Ilike thehugeglassopeningthat welcomesnaturallightinside thespace.

THE FUNERAL CHAPEL

Graz, Austria

TheSteinfeldcemetery'schapelofrestfeaturesauniquedesignthatresemblestwocurved formworkelementsmadeofreinforcedconcrete,whichresembletwohands.Thischapel servesasthefocalpointoftheredesignedCemeteryCentre,whichwasinitiated by theconstructedin2011basedonadesignbyHofrichter-RitterArchitects.

Interior

Theinteriorisverysimple,Ilikethewaythat theykeptthereligioussymbolismsimple, for example,theconcreteasymmetricalcrosson thewall.

Floor plan

Iliketheformofthechapel,theway wallsintertwine leavingcracksfor walkthroughs,itremindsmeofa scrollofpaper

Front Back

PRIMARY PHOTOS

Linear with organic elements

IvisitedthenewFRAbuildinginStratford,theyhavean interestingspirallylineardesigntotheirinterior,itis entirely madefromconcretetoowhichappliestomyresearchof monolithicmaterials. Ialsotriedtofindinterestingnaturalshapes. MyresearchallseemstohaveaspiralelementtoitwhichI'dlike toincludeinmydesign.

SECONDARY PHOTOS

Linear with organic elements

Iwantedtolookforrepeatedpatternsinmysecondary research,thesearequitecommoninnatureaswellasin architecturedesigns.Thebottomleftpictureisreallyinspiring tome,itremindsmeoftheformofamushroom,Ilikehowthe linesoverlapcreatingdimension.

MODEL ONE

Using primary photos

Sketches and model

ByturningthemarrowsformintoageometricalshapeIwasabletodevelopthepotentialbodyof thestructuresonmysite. Ilikethisideaas5sidedpolygonsfitwith eachotherperfectlytomake apattern. Eachlittle hutwouldhaveitsownassigneduseandwouldhavemultipleexitson eachside.Iwasalsothinking aboutmaking anopeningoutofonesliceofeach naturallighting

Developing my first idea

MODEL TWO

Using primary photos of ual building

Sketches

Usingmeshtubesandwire Itriedtoreplicatethe overlappingovalshapes.I thenaddedageometric elementtotheflowysketch thatIdevelopedfromthe modelimages.Referring backtomythemeoflinear andorganic,imtryingto mixcurveswithlines.

Model

Developed model using clay

Preview on the site

Afterseeingmyclaymodelon thesiteIrealisedmydesignisa little toosimple,Iaddedthe swirlsfromthetubemodel whichIthinkworkwelltocreate dimensionhoweverIdon’treally liketheboxyaspect.Iratherthe buildingflownaturallyinaway thatitsomewhatblendsinand adherestothesurrounding environment

Further developments

Itriedtosimplifytheswirldesignwith alinerunningaroundtheedgesofthestructureinstead howeverI'mnotcontemptwith thedesignasitstoosimple,todevelopthisidmaybeaddsomeflat elementstothedesignandmaybemoredimensionlike differentlevelstomakeitmoreinteresting

Developed model using tape and wire

Different functions

2- structure 1- pavilion

Iliketheaspectofthemodeltofunctionasa pavilionbecauseithasanorganicmovementtoit aswellaslinearity. Therearegapsfordifferent entrancepoints,andthewholestructurewillhave glassstripswhichwouldcreateinteresting shadowsinsidethepavilion

I’malsousingthismodeltodevelopabuilding design.Iaimtomakeitmoresymmetricaland organised

Iliketheoverallformofthisdesign,theceiling protrudesforwardactingasshelterfortheentrance area,thewholefaçadeisintendedtobeglasstoofornaturallighting.Ithinkthatmydesignwouldalso workwellasapavilionifpresentedinasmallerscale,withouttheglassfaçadeitcouldbea little shelteredsectiononthesite.

Further Structure sketches

Iliketheideaofhavinglittle hutswith different dimensionsallalignedtogethertomakeupone building,thisremindsmeofthearchitecturein Santorini,Greece.

SANTORINI ARCHITECTURE

Research

Santorini'sreligiousarchitectureisnot limited tochurches;therearealso mosques,synagogues,andotherplaces ofworshipthatreflecttheisland's historicalconnectionswithdifferent cultures.

AfterresearchingSantorini architecture,Istartedlookingfor similarstructuresthathaverounded edgesandpeculiarforms,Icameacross thesethreestructureswhichinspireme asthematerialissimilartothatofa placeofworship.Ifeelasthoughthis researchhelpedmerealisethisformis nottherouteIwanttogodownformy finaldesign.

RURAL JAPANESE ARCHITECTURE

Research

Iwantedtolookatmorecontrastingstylescompared tothepreviousresearchIdidonthegreekbuildings, andIthinkthisismorerepresentativeofthedesign routeIwanttogodown.Ilikethesymmetryand neatnessofjapanesearchitecture,abiginspiration pointarethepanelsintheinteriorIthinkthatits an intricatebutminimalistic featurethatIcouldapplyto partsofmyfinaldesign

MODEL THREE

Using card

Ienvisionedacoveringpiececomingoutofthe roofofthebuildingtoactasshelterfromrainas wellassun,thiswouldadddepthtothelighting insidethebuilding creatingambiance,Ithe flattenedthebuildingusinginspirationfromthe BuddhistshrineIresearchedearlier.

Ifocusedmoreon organicflowyformsto createthishoweverits notthedirectionI wanttotake

Pavillion

MODEL FOUR

Using primary photos

Sketches

I envisioned this as a tunnel entrance to the main building. My intention with this model is to have an interesting entrance, in my development sketches I covered the gaps, to give it a pavilion like form which would protect visitors from the weather.

Developments

I applied the form of the tunnel to a structure; I think that the flowlines of the lines could be used something that links the structures on my site.

Developing

I used the organic shape of wings to further develop my idea of running lines, I wanted to increase the size and turn it into a less complex building. I like the idea of the façade of the building being tall and open, and it minimising in size further down. The large open aspect also adheres to my brief.

Façade

Further developments

Elevations

Iliketheintricacy andflowof thisdesign;Ithinkthatitsitsa little awkwardlyonthesitedue toitsdimensions.Ialsothink thatifIwastodevelopthisideaI shouldaimforamorespacious designasIintendedtohavea largeopenspaceinsidemyfinal building

More detailed

MODEL FIVE

Foam card, metal and string

Iliketheideaofhavingasheerlike coveroverabuildingwiththe structurebeingvisibleunderneath. Ialsolikethewaythatbuildingsfit togetheralmostlikeanuneven puzzle.

Further developments

HereI’mtryingtocomeupwith waystomakeflatbuildingsmore interesting,IthinkapointIwant toincorporateinmyfinaldesign isthepolesprotrudingfromthe building,theyremindmeofthe researchIdidonthewings. Again Iattemptedtomakethebuildings interlockandfittogether perfectly

Further developments

INTERIOR DESIGN

Minimalistic mood-board

Theinteriorofthespiritual spacewillbewarmanddimlylit, with anauraofcomfort,Iwantto includecushionedwallsorfloorsaswellasmanytransparentwalldividers;thesewill havepatterns thatareintricatebutnottoodistractingastonottakeawayfromthespiritualambiance.

Religiousartefacts, hugedimensions

Thespiritualspacehasasaunatogo withtherelaxationaspectofits functionality, it'ssupposedtomatchthe aestheticoftherestoftheinterior. This spacereflectsJapanesebathhouses whichnotonlybringspeopletogether butalsooffersthemaspacetocool downandrelax.

Leisure

Beddingand pillowsscattered aroundthefloor, noseatingall intendedtobeon thefloor.

DEVELOPING FINAL DESIGN

Sketching ideas

POTENTIAL FINAL

Made out of foam board

Imodelledmyfinalmodeloverasketchofmysitetowork outscaleanddistributionofelements,Ilike thedirection thatmystructuraldesignisgoinghoweverfordevelopments Iwillfocusonthesurroundingsofthebuildingandthesite itself. IthinkthatthewaythatIpositionedthewalkway helpsthemovementofflowtoandoutthebuilding, thiswas inspiredbythedevelopmentsIdidonmyfourthmodelwith thespirallingbuilding.

FINAL MODEL

Chosen design

FINAL MODEL

Chosen design

Mysiteiscomposedofonestructurewith extendingelements,suchasawalkwayanda pavilionlikestructure.Imadesureto incorporatetheelementsfromJapanese architecturewithblacktape,theseformasense offlowinessandharmonyinmydesign.Idid achievemyintentofmakingaspacethathasa calmfeel,therearelargeopeningswithin every structureallowingairflowandnaturallightto filltheinside.Iamoverallsatisfiedwithmy outcome,IfeelasthoughI’vemetmygoalsof designingalinearspacewithorganicnotes. However,Ifeelasthoughtherearestillpointsof improvementsuchasincludingaseatingplan that’sappropriatetotheflowofthepublic throughoutthesite,aswellasmoredetailon thefaçadeofmymainbuilding.