Social Design

My final portfolio project focused on the re-design of an abandoned Arding & Hobbs department store to cater for a social need of my own choosing. My chosen need was the homeless community based in Milton Keynes. The design aimed to combat this social issue by providing necessary amenities and resources for the community, but to also disband the stigma surrounding this issue by bringing both the community of the homeless and of Milton Keynes together. The design also houses up to 5 permanent residents at one time. The design focused on contrasting to the existing locations material and linear forms, by providing and organic and biophilic environment.

The concept, Authentic Coalesce, was inspired by the necessary means to create a genuine design for its residents. Influences from trauma informed design and biophilic design were also included, and are evident within key sketches and models. Most noticeably, the experimentation with tree structure allowed for continuous biophilic influences within the design, as well as implementing various checkpoints throughout the design to act as a means of way finding and validation.

To keep consistency within the design, all materials and finishes were sourced with the intention of repeating throughout all levels of the design. The materials sourced were influenced by biophilia, but also the principles in Trauma Informed Design. A cool colour palette and materials with both acoustic and sensory stimulating properties were gathered. By doing this, it created familiarity, and evoked 6 and calm and stress free design.