Project Name : Themyscira
Metamorphosis
Design narrative
Story of the Design
Prior to conducting my site investigation, I wanted to provide a relaxing setting that is both aesthetically pleasing and practical. Koukh Al Shay, Satwa, is where I found my inspiration for the project People order meals from their cars there, and after parking, food and snacks are delivered right to them. Young teenagers typically use the area with their families and friends. People typically set up foldable chairs on the path and sit in a social circle, communicating and chatting amongst friends. The area is rather exposed to sunlight making daytime talks a bit inconvenient. The goal was to design a space that was something similar to koukh al shay. where individuals may gather with friends and family to enjoy the area and talk over a cup of coffee. Isolate is my project’s main word. Isolate doesn’t always mean being alone; it may also refer to being isolated with your group in a cozy setting. The main access point is a staircase that descends to a flat area of 0.15 meters that is level with the curb of the road. The staircase was my attempt to create a grand entrance to the site. Walking along the site, you would feel constrained and almost isolated by arches and divider walls to split the site into sections. Before our site visit, we walked along Al Seef in Fahidi. The spatial experience was considerably cozier due to shade and the narrow path. I wanted to recreate something similar with the site in Deira. I’ve used passive design techniques, primarily incorporating shade, shadow, and wind channeling, to make the area more welcoming for nappers. Structures, trees, a well-placed façade, and in my case, a roofing structure, all cast shade and shadows. To generate the wind channeling, a piece of the building is split, allowing the wind to flow from the northwest into the nap zone area. The main building façade allows for users to climb on the roof and get better views. Due to the café’s proximity to the highway, potential drive-throughs were possible.
