40 George square, a PhD building at the University of Edinburgh, has seen a rapid decline in the proportion of students enrolled due to the impact of the pandemic and the post-Brexit recession. Mixed-use housing is the dominant form of urban housing in the 21st century and even work from home study is becoming more prevalent. For most female PhD students in the 28-35 age group, they are at an awkward stage where they must balance life, study and family at the same time. Modern design does not tend to favour women, but a large proportion of students studying interior design are female. Therefore, I hope to innovate and challenge through design for the needs of such people to use.
The project brings together a group of married female students from Edinburgh University to form a series of 'new homes'. Married female students from Edinburgh University, from different countries, form a new home and redefine what it means to be at home.
The aim is to investigate the relationship between space and communication between women and how this affects the building and the communication between buildings. How this affects the building and its surroundings. Here the concepts of safe, respectful and equal living are applied to real life scenarios, thus providing a platform for these women to balance the relationship between life, family and school.
Target group: Married female PHD students & single mothers
Proposed Site: Part of the space on floors 12-14 of 40 George Square.
Function: SOCIAL AREAS, READING AREA, CHILDREN'S PLAYGROUND, NURSERY, DOUBLE-HEIGHT RESIDENTIAL AREAS, PLANTING AREA.