hero + detail shots

This School of Architecture intends to capture the balance of beauty and functionality, an unconventional design which will enhance students learning, inspire and elevate movement. A centralised common room connects various spaces, and provides several options for students to move to different areas. Overall, this design achieves the potential for movement, a series of differing experiences and routes connecting and variating the way people interact with architecture and design. 

Hero shot of the overall architecture. 

Capturing the Library + Gallery and upper Common Room Space

Bird's Eye view of Common Room, Library + Gallery and 'Lily Pads' which lead to the Squarehouse. 

Lecture Theatre that continues out into the Common Room. 

Bridge which leads from the Library + Gallery Space into the Roundhouse. 

Bridge which leads into the Studio Spaces located above the Squarehouse. 

lumion animation

initial rendering of final architecture

lumion rendering of draft models

DRAFT 1 

DRAFT 2

2 gifs

peer reviews

development of moving objects

The moving elements within my design closely follow my theory which focuses on function, efficiency and design. Enhancing movement between spaces and increasing the number of routes to various places, each element enables greater mobility and flow within the architecture. 

This image showcases the first moving object: a lift which connects the architecture to the first floor of Sqaurehouse. Students may have quick access to the workshop located in the Squarehouse, or   use this entrance to access the common room and attend lectures or class. The lumion animation demonstrates the movement of this lift.  

This secondary moving element is inspired by Funiculars, and connects the studio spaces located above the Squarehouse to the bridge which leads into the Roundhouse. Therefore, this provides an alternative and more effective mode of transport between Studio spaces and the Roundhouse, rather than having to continue into the common room and exit via a secondary bridge into the Roundhouse. The lumion animation demonstrates the movement of this lift. 

sketchup model developments

Development of Central Spaces

Design of Studio Spaces located above the Squarehouse

Creating 'Lily Pads' connecting the central space to the First Floor Squarehouse.

Bridge connecting the central space to the Roundhouse.

Bridge which connects the central space to the top of Squarehouse, where the Studio spaces are located.

36 textures

LINEAR

ROTATIONAL

SCALAR

FLEXIBILITY

FUNCTION

ENERGY

bubble diagram

Given the task to use existing plans sourced from significant architectural designs, and allocate spaces within these plans, I was able to reconsider my architecture and enhance the relationships between space. 

The architecture I chose was the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao.

Using the plan, I created several bubble diagrams to allocate spaces and modify connections: 

This first diagram reflects the Guggenheim Bilbao plan featuring the centralised Common Area that branches out into corresponding spaces. The Lecture Theatre and Studio spaces are in close proximity as ideas from a student's lecture generally lead into the Studio space. 

This second diagram simplifies the above diagram into approximate and relative positions of each space. Further more, the basic shape and overall appearance is indicated, alongside the connections between specific spaces. 

This final diagram is a rendition of the previous two diagrams, showcasing flow and relationship between space.

spatial requirements

The architecture will connect the Squarehouse and Roundhouse, both key buildings in an architecture student's uni life. With a Workshop and Digital Fabrication Lab, the Squarehosue assists students with the development of physical models for presentations, while also allowing students to be creative and experiment with design ideas. Contrastingly, the Roundhouse is a place for interaction, a place to relax and focus on having a good time with friends. Both buildings are important to a student, where the Squarehouse assists with academics and creativity while the Roundhouse provides the relaxation and fun. 

The School of Architecture will host 100 students supported by scholarships, spread across 4 year groups. The spaces within the architecture include:

Lecture Theatre - Seating 50 students  

3.5 sqm/ student + additional space  - 200 sqm

The lecture theatre should comfortably accomodate 25 students within each year group while also having a certain flexibility to allow for more students in the event of a larger meeting. This smaller scale lecture theatre still functions as a formal space with a more integrated feel, prompting better communication between students and lecturer. 

Studio Spaces - 3 Studios - 15 Students / Studio

5 sqm/ student + additional space - 250 sqm

The three studio spaces conveniently fit a cohort of 25 students, with 8-10 students within each studio space. For some year groups a larger class of 12- 13 students may cover 2 studio rooms and therefore leave a vacant third studio space for other students who would like to study and work on projects. The studio space will be closely linked to the lecture theatre to ensure the best possible movement between spaces and create a sense of flow between each learning environment. 

Common Room

250 sqm

The common room serves as the centre of the architecture, a place to unite both staff and students and promote positive learning and discussion. Connecting Lecture theatre to Studio Spaces, Squarehouse to Roundhouse, and adjoining each space of the architecture, the common room focuses on enhancing the experience of both students and staff, a place where you can study, relax or engage in conversation.  

Gallery + Library - 60 people

3 sqm/ student + additional space - 200 sqm

I have chosen to integrate the library and gallery as both are sources of inspiration and knowledge which can intertwine and serve as a space which prompts new ways of thinking for students. In the instance where a student does not feel inspired or creative, they may visit the combined Gallery and Library space to seek potential ideas and visualisations. This is also a place to showcase work and congratulate students for their perseverance.  

Offices for Academic Staff and General Staff 

A space for Staff has been omitted in the architecture. Considering the open plan and free movement through spaces - a private, concealed and enclosed area for staff would obstruct the flow of the building. To compensate, the common room area features a centralised region suitable for both staff and students to involve in conversation.

Workshop 

Considering the highly equipped workshop within Squarehouse, I have chosen to omit a secondary workshop. The design of the architecture connects to the first floor of the square house and therefore, easy access to necessary equipment and resources on the ground floor. 

Toilets

There are no immediate toilets within the architecture, however, the building’s close proximity and several routes to Squarehouse and Roundhouse provide easy access to these facilities.