Democratic Spaces
Before the 20th century began, traditional cities tended to evolve through construction to meet real practical needs. Although Town Planning and Urban design as a discipline has existed since Babylon, the imposition of symbolic urban spaces have not always succeeded in creating liveable outdoor space. The spaces between buildings need to be seen as an ssential theatre of urban life, a setting for real people doing real things.
The Image
- Inside/outside
- Liveable space
- Sensitivity to Context
This extension to a University Residence is all about liveable space. We designed bespoke furniture for the single rooms, but each level lacked a social centre. 9m² will never be any more than 9m². We proposed a communal kitchen/ dining area for each level. Now in a cellular building, the residents can break out of the cell: the windows offer an unbroken, 160° view on parkland to the west of the building, where before tiny kitchens and dustbin storage were located.
Programme Development
- Liaison with the student housing association
- Extensive consultation with the students
- Synthesis of perceived / real needs
- Integration of budgetary and time constraints
This Project of 176 beds was completed in 8 months, on budget and with phased handover in order to:
- Minimise the site works impact on housing availability
- Minimise the income loss incurred during construction.