Interior - Bachelors (Interior Architecture)

STRATA CENTRE

The community center is a specifically designed space that takes inspiration from the mining experience within rural towns. It offers pottery and clay workshops for the local community using the resources from the mines and reusing them in an expressive form. These spaces will provide opportunities for the towns people to engage with one another, be expressive and creative, boosting morale. The overall style is industrial and brutalist, just like the harsh reality of the mines. It will feel gritty and raw yet comforting for the locals who are use to this atmosphere. Specific zones that have been created. - Ramp digging into the earth, - Tunnel systems used as thresholds. - Outdoor workshops

Kira Winnett

CONTEXT

MINING COMMUNITY CENTRE

The journey that has been crafted for the users to follow within the space are simple and easy to follow. The flooring helps navigate the space due to the specific design.
All leading out to the sculpture garden located in the back of the site. It is an open layout with seating and shade for towns people to either admire the sculptures or use for gatherings.

STRATA FORMATION

The contours created from the mining strata formation is the main design language throughout every elements. These lines drawn on the ground were the guidelines to follow for all walls, joinery and other zones on the site.

PLANS

SITE

Visions: Corroboration of two generations teaching each other. Integration of indoor to outdoors. A space that prompts healing and community engagement, building on expressive interest.

Identity: This building will be the heart of town. A well known location for locals and tourist to visit and gain knowledge on the history or activities around the town.

Activities: Workshop spaces that hold classes. Gallery to showcase local work. Small intimate spaces for small classes or large open areas for big groups. Multi-functional zones.

GROUND

The ground floor has a specific flow of traffic as seen on page 10. This is due to the contours on the floor created from timber and cement finishes. The darker zones are called ‘Activity areas’ and they are where classes or people will be collating, the lighter areas are more like zones people will travel through quickly, using as hallway.

LEVEL 1

For further information on breakout space, feature wall and the bridge refer to design language chapter. The top floor is meant to follow the role of a high functioning office space that still reflects the same design language as the ground floor. The same technique of material selection and floor contours was used.

diagrams

sections

SECTION

The ground floor was divided into private sections, it is more closed off and intimate for the purpose of noise control. Where as level 1 is kept open and exposed. Skylights where placed along the roof to allow natural light in the space as it was to dark without and I didn’t want to rely on artificial lighting. Utilising passive design techniques.

design language

TUNNEL

The outdoor tunnel system is the feature of the entire centre. It is easily accessible for all people so everyone can experience what it is like going down into a mine. The material was specially selected to have the feel of a mine. The seating components placed around the I beams are welded and bolted on the main frame and then finished with treated timber.

BRIDGE LEVEL 1

The bridge that connects the two sections of the level 1 together is made similar to the entry threshold outside. Where I beam connections are the main element. To keep it safe and simple the handrail is a joinery item which is it bolted to the main frame and the flooring. The service hole allow for the soft wiring for the feature lights that will illuminate the bottom of the balustrade.

FEATURE WALL LEVEL 1

The feature wall on level 1 took many design renditions. The concept started at showing all the structural integrity of a true wall, Like the whole design through the centre it would be rustic and raw. However it was to busy and to literal. So a more abstracted way was adapted.
Extruding 6 beams from the wall in the rectangle shape similar to the rest of the centre’s design. The windows into the meeting spaces break up the wall so it isn’t a solid mass and prevents it from being heavy. The door recess into the wall as they are not the main element on show.

OUTDOOR WORKSHOP

On the bottom of the page are examples of spin tables, drying racks and a kiln. This is the main purpose of this workshop area. The glass walls will open up to create a ceiling like structure for the outdoor space.

OUTDOOR SEATING AREA

The outdoor seating area is for anyone to sit and admire the sculptures. It can also be used for other activities depending what the community needs. The benches are a simple precast block with various embedded timber slates for seating.

BREAKOUT SPACE

The breakout spaces upstairs is made from the same joinery technique as the entry threshold. The I beams are welded and bolted on each side using a cap.

To create privacy and stop noise traveling there are acoustic boards bolted to the main frame.

The seating is embedded into the main steel frame then bolted and welded into place. For comfort the seating and tables are finished in timber.

JOINERY

exploded axo

EXPLODED AXO

GROUND
This floor was divided into private sections, it is more closed off and intimate for the purpose of noise control.
LEVEL 1
The flow was kept fairly open and exposed. The wall where all the windows are places are making the most of the views of the site, people and landscape. Providing a beautiful sunset view.
ROOF
Skylights where placed along the roof to allow natural light in the space as it was to dark without and I didn’t want to rely on artificial lighting. Utlising passive design techniques.

exterior material

night

NIGHT

At night the space has a different feel, perfect for night markets or night classes. All the paths are lit up with exterior lighting on the bottom on the beams. This illuminated the structure and makes it feel light instead of a heavy material.

Kira Winnett

Kira Winnett is a soon to be graduate of Interior Architecture, with the goal to pursue an bachelor’s in architecture in 2022. Her values are aligned with passive design techniques, strong definition of the user experience and biophilic design.