Hortus Conclusus

Location: Sighthill, Edinburgh, Scotland
Duration; Yr 1 Semester 2
Project type: Adaptive Reuse Community Centre
Medium: Hnadrawn, handmade models

The complex is designed around a derelict janitor’s house stripped of its roof and interior walls, leaving only its outer shell, now occupied by a flourishing garden. The design utilises a juxtaposition between light and heavy tectonics, sliding partition screens and glazing, intended to create spaces which manifest both intimacy and transparency concurrently, encouraging harmonious community gathering. Practically, this idea is intended to encourage an adaptive space where activities could take place. By using Scottish larch clad timber framed structures and sandstone clad thermoblock form-work, contrasting tectonics can be created. These differing tectonics flank the garden on either side, creating a building complex of differing material and spatial articulation.  The spaces between the tectonics and the garden walls act as interior foyers, lined with modulated timber tree like frames, supporting the eaves of the roofs. These spaces provide an ambiguous threshold experience, the user never being entirely sure if they are inside or out.

The entrance ramp includes recessed seating, to allow of people to sit amongst the trees, which is replicated in the internal foyer spaces, which allow people to sit under the buildings framework. The design is intended to accentuate the site by providing an intimate connection to nature and space which stimulates community interaction.