CLAIRE NGUYEN

The concept of this architecture school involves pushing the boundaries between public and private, aiming to encourage a movement towards greater social equality and interaction. The plan itself is symbolic of this, utilising the motif of the circle to indicate the school’s intention of wholeness and togetherness. The spaces in the rooms are segments of circles with different radii, whilst the central courtyard and recreational area connects all these areas.

The boundaries between public and private space are challenged in three main ways – physical separation, sound and light/views. The school is split into a ‘quiet’ and ‘noisy’ area, with the quiet area located underground, with the earth providing protection against noise. The rooms in this area include two lecture rooms (a larger and two smaller ones), the gallery, the library and the admin and academic offices. Though these rooms are private in terms of sound penetration, other methods of privacy are discarded (i.e. physical barriers, and light/views).

The ‘noisy’ area is situated above ground and includes the school’s connection to the Roundhouse. This area includes the studios for staff and students, the workshop, and a staff meeting room. Most of this area is completely public as there is little need for physical separation, sound protection, or a barrier from views or light, and more need for socialisation and the sharing of ideas. This idea in itself is manifested in the school’s connection to the Roundhouse, a building with the sole purpose of bringing people together.

Additionally to sound, the boundaries between public and private are challenged in other ways. Space is traditionally defined by a wall and a room is traditionally defined as four walls that form an enclosed space. The school redefines space through the ability to move many walls along tracks on the ground to create a sense of flexibility and openness. The materials these walls are made out of also pushes the notions of public and private, with the use of materials such as fabrics like gauze and cotton, to an adaptation of particular architectural features, such as the mashrabiya.

Furthermore, the school also blurs the lines between inside and outside (which can also be another form of public and private). The central courtyard includes an open air theatre and is also a general gathering space and recreational area, with the steps providing opportunity for rest and conversation. The rooftop spaces on the above ground area are also accessible and function primarily as student meeting spaces.

CLAIRE NGUYEN

28 June 2016

EXPERIMENT THREE FINAL SUBMISSION

FINAL DESIGN

3D WAREHOUSE

PEER EVALUATIONS

1 June 2016

TEXTURES

25 May 2016

DRAFT 1 (SKETCHUP)

PLAN AND SECTION