SERENITY GROVE REHABILITATION CENTRE
Category: Academic (Thesis)
Typology: Healthcare
Location: Didsbury, Manchester
Year: 2024
Software Used: Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Lightroom, Adobe Photoshop, Autodesk Revit, Sefaira, SketchUP, TwinMotion
Manchester is facing severe challenges with a high incidence of drug abuse and a biodiversity crisis. The pollution of the Mersey River and a golf course disrupting multispecies interactions are key factors contributing to the environmental issues. The project proposes a symbiotic approach to address both problems by creating a therapeutic environment for drug users that also restores biodiversity. By improving the natural habitat and encouraging multi-species interactions, this approach aims to enhance the well-being of both the ecosystem and individuals struggling with addiction.
The Site: is located in Didsbury with nearby landmarks such as the River Mersey, Fletcher Moss and the Didsbury Golf Course.
Conceptual Development:
From a designer’s perspective, understanding the recovery cycle is crucial for creating empathetic design solutions. By recognizing the varying needs of users at different stages, designers can tailor interfaces, functionality, and accessibility to better support the recovery process, resulting in more effective and user-centered designs.
To further convey this narrative of progression, the building form continuously changes with each stage to depict the drug rehabilitation journey. This can be seen below.
Spatial Programming:
An estimated 40-60% of individuals with drug use disorders relapse during recovery, resuming substance use after a period of sobriety. Recovery requires a lifelong commitment, so spaces were designed to minimize triggers that could lead to relapse.
Roof with Reused Roof
Barrier (prevents water from eroding mud facade)
The interior design of the pods was aimed at creating a calming environment from the onset using the Restorative Environmental Design (RED) theory, Biophillic Design Theory and the Ecological Valence Theory. The space uses a palette which mimics a beach to create a calming space. In addition, the use of natural analogues in the space such as the mud walls and the wooden floors help connect users to nature as these are direct references to nature. The pods are positioned close to the woodlands and have openings which facilitate a view onto them.
Preparation Stage: The strategies taken within the preparation stage are more program oriented as it is within this stage the patients gain valuable skill needed to return back to society.
Maintenance Stage: similar to the preparation space is more program Oriented. This stage requires the least attention as the patients are more or less visitors at this point.
The project explores how buildings can seamlessly be integrated back into nature as time progresses. This was done in two ways. The first was adopting materials like stone which are moss friendly .
The second was introducing trellis like frames on the pods to act as a hub for creeping plants. This in turn helps improve local biodiversity as the building itself becomes a hub for ecological succession.
The interior spaces utilise learnings from relevant theories to create restorative environments through creating a visual connection with nature as well as adopting natural analogues such as the use of natural materials which show the patina of time (wear) and colours reminiscent of nature. This was all done to create a calming and stress free environment to aid in rehabilitation.
The Healing gardens provide users with a sensory experience for both humans and nonhumans. The auditory experience ranges from the sounds of the birds chirping to the bees buzzing, the river flowing or the grassing rattling. The flowers provide visual stimulation as well as an olfactory experience.
THE SANCTUARY
Category: Academic
Typology: Residential
Location: Ancoats, Manchester
Year: 2023
Software Used: Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Autodesk Revit, Sefaira, SketchUP, TwinMotion
This is a co-housing project aimed at revitalizing a deteriorated site into an intergenerational housing community that promotes social interaction, sustainability, health, and wellness. The project addresses the housing crisis by offering diverse housing typologies tailored to specific age groups and social classes, unlike typical townhouses or flats that often don’t cater to everyone. The design ensures that as residents grow and evolve, the housing adapts to their needs. Also, by analyzing human social behavior, the project integrates activities and shared spaces that foster inclusivity and community interaction.
The project seeks to create an intergenerational community. To do this a perimeter structure was selected to create private courtyards for communal interactions.
Co-Living Block: is designed to cater for young adults , students and people who cannot afford to live in the other two housing typologies. In this unit, only essential spaces are made private such as the bedroom and toilet (for sanitary purposes). The living room, dining and kitchen are shared by all the individuals within that particular communal apartment/flat.
Co-Dwelling Block: is designed to cater for young adults and people who cannot afford to live in the townhouses but need more privacy than what is provided in the co-living. It has three (3) typologies; 1 bedroom, 2 bedroom and shared apartment.
The Shared Apartment: is intended for young adults, students and families .
The 1 Bedroom Apartment: is designed to cater to young adults, bachelors and spinsters, couples, post graduate students
Introducing Flexible Spaces:
The Flex. Space (Flexible space) is a space which has no predefined function. It is a space whose function that depends solely on the building owner.
The 2 Bedroom Apartment: is designed to cater to couples and families
The Town house: is designed to cater to couples, families and those who desire privacy and a space to grow old in. All the townhouses are adapatable units and can be changed to suit the individuals needs at an older age such as moving a bedroom downstairs. It is the first and also the last stage of my life cycle. It is assumed kids grow in these houses, hence why it is the first stage and from there move on to the communal living and other typologies.
Town House Adaptability Strategy
Most buildings are rigid structures that have a fixed preset. This design gives users a degree of flexibility in the configuration of their space.
1. The Existing Town house:
The existing configuration features a living area, flexible space and a kitchen, dining area alongside a bathroom and pantry.
2. Structural configuration:
For this design, load bearing walls were minimized to allow flexibility.
Key: Walls in red do not have structural implications, Walls and columns in green are structural
3. Re-arrangement Strategy:
The wall of the flexible space and the wall dividing the pantry and toilet have been removed and a new wall (in purple) has been introduced to create a new space.
4. New Town house Configuration:
The new town house configuration features a bedroom and a combined living kitchen and dining space on the ground floor. This is one of the many arrangements possible.
CITRINE RESIDENCE
Category: Professional
Typology: Mixed Use
Year: 2022
Construction Status: Ongoing
Office: Ngonyama Okpanum & Associates
The Citrine Residence is a mixed-use development encompassing high-rise towers of residences, offices and hotels strategically placed above podiums containing shops, restaurants, cafés, bars, cinemas, supermarkets and every commercial activity to be found in a city. The project is set to become a major landmark in the city, offering stunning views and access to a wide range of amenities and services. It is expected to create jobs and stimulate the local economy.
1. Assisted in developing/drafting floor plans and call-out plans in Autodesk Revit under the supervision of the Senior Architect.
2. Assisted in developing/drafting section drawings in Autodesk Revit under the supervision of the Senior Architect.
3. Assisted in developing/drafting detail drawings in Autodesk Revit under the supervision of the Senior Architect.
4. Assisted in preparation of presentation materials in Autodesk Revit and Adobe Illustrator under the supervision of the Senior Architect.
5. Assisted in developing/drafting elevation and interior elevation drawings in Autodesk Revit under the supervision of the Senior Architect.
6. Assisted in compiling technical/construction documentation in Autodesk Revit and Adobe InDesign under the supervision of the Senior Architect.
7. Assisted in 3D modelling and composition of elements in Autodesk Revit and Autodesk 3DS Max under the supervision of the Senior Architect.
Housing Typologies:
The residentual units accomodate people from different classes and needs thus providing a design that does not discriminate. This was done by providing multiple housing typologies ranging from a one bedroom to a four bedroom duplex.
VILLA INDIVIDUELLE
Category:Professional
Typology: Residential
Year: 2020
Construction Status: Completed
Location: France
Office: Ngonyama Okpanum & Associates
This private home in the French Riviera boasts stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea and the picturesque coastline, surrounded by lush greenery and vibrant flowers. The architecture, characterized by sleek lines, minimalist design, and large floor-to-ceiling windows, reflects the client’s personal style and integrates indoor and outdoor spaces. Every detail has been thoughtfully curated to create a harmonious and intimate atmosphere, capturing the essence of the client’s vision.
1. Assisted in developing/drafting floor plans and callout plans in Autodesk Revit under the supervision of the Senior Architect.
2. Assisted in developing/drafting section drawings in Autodesk Revit under the supervision of the Senior Architect.
3. Assisted in developing/drafting detail drawings in Autodesk Revit under the supervision of the Senior Architect.
4. Assisted in developing/drafting elevation and interior elevation drawings in Autodesk Revit under the supervision of the Senior Architect.
5. Assisted in compiling technical/construction documentation in Autodesk Revit and Adobe InDesign under the supervision of the Senior Architect.
6. Assisted in 3D modelling and composition of elements in Autodesk Revit and Autodesk 3DS Max under the supervision of the Senior Architect.
The building incorporates floor-to-ceiling windows which maximise natural lighting in the space as well as connect the users to the exterior landscape. This seamless connection between the interior and exterior spaces allows for a sense of harmony and unity.
It blurs the boundaries between the inside and outside, creating a more immersive and inviting environment for the users.
Visualisations
