The following work of the MA IASD synthesis project, as the word synthesis implies, is a collection of skills and knowledge gained throughout the year brought together as a cohesive piece of work. This project expands on the existing work of the masterplan completed in a previous semester's course. Building on the previous brief, this proposal focuses on key spatial functions to address the mental health struggles among university students. Specifically, it addresses loneliness by providing communal cooking, dining, and immersive spaces to bring students closer to peers, to their own culture, and to the cultures of others. This is a detailed representation of a problem-solving design, revolving around the needs of people. Introducing the aforementioned spaces bridges the gap between connections associated with 'home' and the connections yet to be made in a 'home away from home'. This equips the interior to improve student lives, rather than disregard their existing struggles with loneliness. Focusing on three levels within 40 George Square, this project creates a layered, multi-dimensional experience
Project description
The Journey Towards Synthesis
My perception of ‘the interior’ transformed over the course of this program, as did my life. I drew upon parallels between design and life, ultimately aiding my understanding about relationships among people and space, people and culture, people and experiences. The obvious component tying these together is people. Design is driven by people, their interactions among one another, their daily routine, and so on. When design is people-focused it must account for human emotion, taking into consideration the importance of how people feel within space. This guided my definition of 'the interior', which was a driving force in the development of the people-focused synthesis project.
Planning Synthesis: 'The Third Space'
Defining 'The Third Space'
Introducing 'The Third Space'
This masterplan serves as a communal 'third space', an area that is neither the home nor place of work or study. Students can reduce loneliness through spatial experiences, finding physical comfort, emotional comfort, and relationships in the process. The proposed spaces bring comfort and community with areas designated for socialization, cultural exchange, comfort, and community. The general breakdown of space includes communal, social, and immersive spaces.
Visualizing 'The Third Space'
Reflection on 'The Third Space'
This project encapsulates growth over the course, highlighting progression as a designer and an individual. The gradual development of 'The Third Space' concept solidified that change is constant in design and embracing it allows room for further learning. Not only that, the change in design is a reflection of the ongoing change in the lives of everyone.
Addressing the importance of student struggles with loneliness influenced the direction of this design project, showing that design mimics life and people. Designing suitable interiors for student wellness can positively impact mental, physical, and academic health. Fostering community among students through space (communal and immersive) can combat the negative effects of loneliness experienced in life.
