Interior - Bachelors (Interior Architecture)

The Termitarium Community Kitchen

The Termitarium is inspired by the topography of the Glass House Mountains and the regional community ideologies of resilience, sustainability, harmony and activity.

The Termitarium is a place to plan, cook and share affordable meals. With its on-site native seed and spice library, it is also a place learn and extend basic food knowledge, growth and preparation. Predominantly participant driven, it is a safe and fun place for regular meet-ups of morning tea mum's with bubs, teen baking classes, men’s grilling groups, indigenous bush tucker, elderly cuppas, and for mentored cooking classes for those with special needs. Diversity is encouraged in the community through the sharing of experiences, skills, and knowledge, which is reflected in the community kitchens three pillars of GROW, COOK, SHARE.

Kirsteen James

Inspired by the topology of the glass house mountains the termite concept was formed. The conceptual approach and contextual response looked at the Solar Arc Optimised Site. With the orientation of the building following a North South Orientation in a similar consideration to the termite mound response to solar irradiation and the air current dynamic load experienced by the mound body. The Recessed thresholds were considered with the entry to the building being recessed within the main frame providing a threshold point that is transformative and protective of the community activities within. The concealed permeability were rationalised with building perforations partially obscured or shielded in response to the heat and humidity loads of the area. The veiled openings support a more homogeneous exterior elevation. A nature cooled air filtration system within the building mimics the evaporation cooling mud veins of the termite nest.
The site plan shows a exterior reticulum that influences movement throughout the site. The site is planted with native fruit trees and a small community vegetable garden. The exterior elevation shows the recessed thresholds across the site and for the form of the building takes its lead from the form of the termite mound
The ground plan and level 1 plan of the main building. The ground plan included a seed a spice library to the left of the main entry, Beside that a community dining cell. The interior reticulum leads to the main "nest"/ hub which is where the stairs and left to the first floor are found. At the rear of the ground floor is the large community kitchen. The first floor supports two meeting rooms, 8 workstations, a small kitchen and break out spaces and storage.
The building section is cut at the void and shows the interconnection between the upper and lower floor. Two internal perspectives of the site show the terracotta pipe wall which is used a sustainable solution to air conditioning. The system is explained with a small section drawing of how the air is pushed through the wet pipes and is cooled before exiting.
A one is to fifty plan of the spice and seed library is detailed showing the walls lined for storage of bottles and books. The perspective of this space shows how a user would engage with research into the various products or use the cookbook library to find new and exciting recipes.
The joinery elevation shows the shelving above and apothecary inspired storage system below. Accessible table height seating is found on one side so that more in depth study can be achieved. The section drawing shows basic construction on the apothecary inspired joinery with inbuilt down lighting. From Macro to micro, the seed and spice jars have also been designed and are shown to give a entire picture of the designed space.

Kirsteen James

Graduating with a Bachelor of Interior Architecture compliments Kirsteen’s prior degree in Interior Design and 2 years industry experience in the United States of America. With a sprinkling of life experiences behind her, Kirsteen is detail driven as she believes it is through the details that insightful curiosity and meaningful design is pioneered. She is a strong and confident communicator, both orally and graphically which she considers a value in building lasting relationships with colleagues and clients alike.