DESIGN

An Arno River Park: Pushing & Pulling Without Rocking the Boat

Master of Architecture - Thesis Project

The Arno River acts as a city limit, flowing through central Florence it makes old and new, political, cultural, economic and social forces take sides.

It is breached by a powerful axis - The Ponte Vecchio, which carries the Vasari Corridor. Two privileged routes through the city, are symbols of exchange, connectedness, separation and withdrawal. They provide two ways of moving through (removing from) the city. 

My research explored the relationship between a physical table performance [water table/dining table] and the metaphysical political hinge through design choreographies. They play out politics and program to reveal a new public realm [park] along the banks of the Arno, a city flood defence which embodies the relationship between The Vasari Corridor and River, Table and Florence, Hinge and Table and Hand and Object. A series of twenty interventions [political hinges] unfold along the riverbank, developing individual program and tectonic, however always operating together as a table.

DEFYING GRAVITY; Casting on Tensile Membranes

Concrete Research Project - The University of Edinburgh with Anniki Mair, Rasha AlKhatib & Towera Ridley

(ACSA ‘Concrete Thinking for a Sustainable World Competition’ Winner 2010)

Pro-to-type n

1. Something having the essential features of a subsequent type, and on which later forms are modelled

Over the course of the five week project, our group participated in research and development of fabric formwork through the use of tensile membranes. Our findings enabled us to break the mould of conventional casting, and allowed us to achieve precise parabolic geometries previously unachievable without substantial amounts of rigid formwork. The process led us through material testing and construction processes, resulting in a  broader understanding of the material constraints and form. The end product looked to create a prototype for future research into the use of casting parabolic concrete structures. The research programme was led by Professor Remo Pedreschi.

A VALLEY ARCHITECTURE: FOR AN AGING POPULATION

Final Project - The University of Sheffield

Exploring the challenge & issue of architecture and the aging demographic A Valley Architecture aims to establish a viewpoint on the current housing situation and provide an architectural approach which challenges current design for the elderly.  

The ageing demographic is reaching an epic level across Britain, the treatment of the elderly and the accommodation provided is comparable to hospitals and hotels. The trend of the double sided corridor leads to lifeless and sterile living environments. The lack of sensitivity towards the space in which the elderly are situated is creating unhealthy oppressive homes and accommodation.

My aim was to design a residential home for the elderly in which they can remain active and stimulated. To create an environment which promotes social activity and interaction. To invoke architecture which aims to integrate the elderly within their community. Overall developing a new approach to residential home design which addresses the importance of physical and mental activity.

FORGOTTEN DESTINATION

Intermediate Project - The University of Sheffield

A project of arrival and destination based in Cleethorpes, addresses the need for a sense of arrival and place within the town. Focusing on the beauty of the existing and using it to create a new social space - opening up the arrival to Cleethorpes, which is crucial for a tourist dependent town. Once arrived the accommodation acts as a destination - celebrating the breathtaking views, which Cleethorpes has to offer.  The pattern created by the architecture plays the seasons; shutting down in winter when there are fewer visitors and opening up in the summertime when tourism booms. The materiality emphasises this allowing the units to glisten in the summertime.