Tag: D4

What is the west end?

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West end is very prominent when coming from Weston Road. This is where the church spire stood, creating a landmark at the junction of Weston Road, Julian Road and Crescent Lane.

This end is the third connecting node between centre and the wider community (others being reception node, and cafe node). The west end is an opportunity for both centre users and wider community to re-engage with their individual sensory preferences, whilst acknowledging how different we all are. A place to explore, to connect, to see how the environment can be adapted to personal preferences.

Users should be able to play with light, shadows > what personalisable things could allow this? movable screens, retractable canopies, different spaces and volumes available. Users should be able to play with texture > different fabric textures, sandpits, water. Users should be able to adopt preferred view point > differing levels, platforms whilst maintaining safety, can the wall become ramp?

Plans for tutorial

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Residential on the upper floor, as well as admin wing, mock apartment and IT suite. Residents can chose their level of engagement with the wider community and their shared garden though the use of screens, ref mashrabiya or japanese screens
Plan formed around a central sensory path which extends out at each corner to meet the wider community at reception (NE), cafe (S), and sensory garden (W). Plan taking into account recent thinking on relationships between the garden spaces and the wider community, what is the interaction in each space?

West end sensory interactive area needs working up.

Writ in Water

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  • Credit National Trust
  • Credit National Trust

There are very few buildings which actually move me. This is one. The historical significance may be a factor but I love the geometrical rigour; the simple yet effective threshold spaces; the sensory experience created through balance of textured and smooth, variation of temperature according to material or position, changes in volume and light, the quiet and calm or the sound of rain; and the human dimension communicated not only through the message on the water but also with the use of a human-centric form of measurement, the cubit.

This project resonates quite deeply with the issues with which I’m grappling for my D4 design project, an independent living centre for autistic adults.