concept

The initial formulation of my concept formed on the contrast and simultaneous balance between the joy water can bring and the vertigo inducing depths it can create as visualised through watercolour paintings.

Research began in current societal events of contrast and confict which was examined through data analysis and collage, then materialised in 3D. Wax was poured into water to represent freedom, concrete was cast into rigid shapes to represent oppression, and fnally wax was cast into concrete and melted away to demonstrate how oppression takes away our freedoms.

This was then illustrated in 2D and the concept of the juxtaposition between freedom and oppression was further explored and how these can combine and form inversion of each other in meaning and in form.

To create a civic bath: a place for people to gather and meet, to discuss political events as well as family affairs - a space to relax and recharge.

To convey a chosen concept through phenomenology and atmosphere, using water as a material

This site was chosen due to the juxtaposition of the creation of a bathhouse, an enclosed space of water, and the adjacent river, freeflowing water. This led me to experiment with blurring the lines of enclosed versus open water to further the concept analysing the evidence of freedom in oppression.

Mixed Media Development

The project was advanced through a study of various materials from hand drawings, sculpture and computer generated renders. An architectural programme was introduced in which visitors could experience a ‘choose your own ending’ story whilst on their visit by deciding which pools to bathe in and which to not advance forward into.

Small And Large Scale

The project was considered in its entirety, which included at a detailed small scale.

As the scheme’s concept centered around freedom and oppression, and the inequality that this brings, it was vital that the bathhouse was accessible to all.

This came in many forms, and the spaces created used a combination of the senses to tell the intended story.

This included tactile fooring and walls to allow visually impaired visitors to fnd their way through the bathhouse and to the pools. Additionally, hand rails were designed with water fowing through leading to pools, with a temperature change as a visitor was straying away from the entrance/exit.

One

Final Renders

The fnal project contained four pools and three transition spaces located round a central shower and changing space. Together these spaces told a fable.

The route to the bathhouse is from a riverside walk. The river Trent is then brought into the site, leading people to the entrance by allowing them to follow the freefowing water.

After ascending the changing rooms, visitors are led into the frst bath - the Myopia Pool. This pool represents how we view society; with tunnel vision. The light cannons exemplify how we only see what we ourselves desire to perceive.

This leads up to the Floating Pool. This is a salt water pool that allows visitors to foat and refect. Then a choice is given to continue through or to exit.

Continuing forward leads to the Reality Pool which is a replica of the initial ‘oppression’ concrete concept model I cast.

Ascending up a spiral staircase, visitors reach the Utopia Pool. This is the only pool with a view to the free-fowing water of the River Trent through idyllic circular windows - a freedom we aim to achieve but remains out of reach ro nd foor not to scale

The exit is found by descending back down the spiral staircase, showing how the freedom displayed in the view from the Utopia pool is what is striven for, yet this is not the reality we face. Visitors are steered back through the reality pool and are reminded of how society is at present.

Plans And Details

The fnal plans show the routes that visitors can take through the various pools of the bathhouse.

The materiality of the pool areas are made with limestone blocks, which is a contrast to the brick of the changing areas. Each of the changing chimneys is built using the traditional kiln method of continuously laying bricks in a circular layout to form a strong cone.

rst foor not to scale roof plan not to scale

The concept of equality is continued through the design of the foor plan with all of the pools being to the same scale of x by y and each transition space being 1/2x by 1/2y. This is so that the transition spaces do not overpower the story conveyed through the pools.

The Brief:

The Brief:

To create a hybrid social housing scheme with a library element, whilst respecting the history of the area and being sympathetic to this through the design.

To create a garden retreat for a Canonbury residence, providing a space for relaxation and a music recording studio for my musically inclided clients.

The site of this retreat is surrounded by vast foliage which infuenced the materiality and the usuage of light in the project

two Sides of Hybridity

Hybrid Housing

Second Year University Project Kirkgate, Leeds

GRADE ACHIEVED: FIRST CLASS

Project Information: Nottingham Trent University 2019-20 BArch (Hons) Architecture

Project Supervisor: Jeffrey Keays BArch MRICS BCAS j.keays@ntu.ac.uk

With this project I took the term ‘library’ loosely and created the social housing with a borrowing library which allows tenants the ability to borrow items they may require without needing to buy new.

The concept for this focused around a community based issue - lgbtq+ rights. After studying the data, young people found Kirkgate, Leeds to be a space they did not fnd to be safe identifying as lgbtq+. The aim of the ground foor was to provide a community space and a safe space to those who need it.

This concept takes representation in the parallel lines used in the design. Each line does not stand alone, but is paired with another.

This is to represent how those in the lgbtq+ community do not stand alone but are supported by those that use the building, as it is a safe space for people to be who they are.

The fnal model was laser-cut and assembled using 2mm card. The massing model was constructed using foam and each piece was hand shaped by sanding to the correct size and height. This proved to be essential whilst designing a building sympathetic to the historic site context.

To create a space for a local skatepark charity within a preexisting dilapidated structure. This was a live project and we worked with the skatepark owners. A small selection of work, including mine, was then put forward to the charity board to highlight the importance of this space to the community.

To create a garden retreat for a Canonbury residence, providing a space for relaxation and a music recording studio for my musically inclided clients.

The site of this retreat is surrounded by vast foliage which infuenced the materiality and the usuage of light in the project

Second

Site Strategy

The design of this skatepark was aimed to be inclusive to skaters of all abilities. The largest space is the lower ground which allows beginner skaters to practice easier tricks without the intimidation of more advanced skaters. As a skater advances through the training, they too advance through the foors of the building where at the top foor they would fnd an Olympic sized bowl.

The model for the project was partly laser-cut from 2mm MDF. To form the roof, I sculpted a foam block to the desired shape and used vacuum forming to create a plastic clear element. The interior of the model was hand cut from 2mm card.

Transform

Design Proposal