Making Spaces

2nd Project was once again a completely new experience. Something that I have always wanted to do but never given the opportunity and having the small amount of experience from the previous week I seem to be progressing in such a small period of time.

The Brief

For this project, I had to design a new urban public space concept for a connected society. Asking myself how can the design of a public space help people connect in a society where we seem to be less social everyday with the advancements in technology. People prefer to be inside surrounded by technology that makes them feel safe and connected from a far without the fear of getting hurt.

Theses are the kind of questions I had to ask myself when designing a urban space for the future Dundee. The brief also said that once our individual spaces were complete we would place them together to create OUR DUNDEE. Spaces that would help either get us to be active with others or a space that could calm us. Giving us a space that we can relax and come together as a group to be social.

Group Task

Before we were to begin researching our own urban space concept, we were split into 15 groups of 5 to go out into Dundee and investigate different locations in which our spaces could be placed. My group (group 2) was to walk to Magdalen Green where we were to take pictures of the location for the class and ourselves. I found it to be a nice location but not one I wanted to use. Keeping to mind that it was a Monday afternoon when must people tend to be working but nether the less we made our findings. There was the occasional dog walker or elderly couple out for a walk. It is a long stretch of bright green grass with a band stand in the centre. Once we took our photos and had a look around, we reported back to class. Every group explained what their location was and the potential it had. This was a productive class that without we needing to had a good look into some of the locations in Dundee.

First Task

I began by researching into simple questions such as “What is a public space?” and “Why would someone use it?” Questions that would help me design a concept that fits all the criteria. Generating ideas was a long, tiring process that had to be done but definitely worth it. It allowed me to see other work that was out in the world and designers such as James Turell and Richard Serra. These designers have shown how simple shapes and lights can be used in exciting and innovative ways. The more I researched, the more I was inspired. Looking into pop up spaces for kids or architecture folly. All different themes and styles so I could decide on mine.

Second Task

Moving on from research, I started to sketch quick ideas of what my theme could be and structures that would be interesting for a space in Dundee. I decided upon a space theme that would be interesting for all ages and allow the people of Dundee to have a wider look at the world. Keeping to the theme of future Dundee also. Then started to sketch ways in which the public could interact with the space. An interesting idea was a way they could enter the location. I began designing different platforms and buildings to make in futuristic and fun.

Third Task

Once I had a concept, I acquired some materials to create a prototype of my space. Something quick given the time we had been given. I used a 150mm x150mm foam square to be the base of my prototype. It is easy to cut into foam so I cut into the foam where I wanted my walls to be and pushed card into the slots to get an idea of what the structure would look like.

Final Stage

Onto the final model by drawing on a 150mm x 150mm piece of MDF where the walls will be placed as seen in the image above.

Using kappa board for the walls of the building and the entrance walls doesn’t allow for easy manipulation but it is a strong material. By using the resources at the university shop I purchased a polystyrene ball as a dome roof and a bag of gravel for the ground. By using a hot glue gun to assemble the building and spray mount the MDF to have the gravel stick to it.

Conclusion 

This project has been successful to get me to think about modelling a building and a deeper understanding of the the city of Dundee. I think it was a successful final design and presentation especially alongside everyone’s models as a collective project.