Architecture
by Maria Elina
Fizkultura Space
The space started with a facility becoming free within Aleksandro-Nevsky Manufacture.
Considering the user experience that we conceptualized with the founders, it has been decided to split the studio into 3 distinct zones:
The Welcome/Resting area
- Containing the storage, tea space, sofas and "chill zone"
- Inspired by the Coworking trends for spaces welcoming visitors to participate in self-development activities
The Open Wellness space
- Containing yoga, dancing, pilates and strtching equipment
- Inspired by the traditional arrangement for modern yoga spaces with plentiful light and surface area
The Intensity space
- Containing TRX equipment, biscycles and light weights
- Inspired by "garage gyms" that many fitness influencers attribute to being the beginnings of their journeys
Of course, we also took extra care of the visitors with the changing spaces:
The Entrance
- Containing all the exercise equipment
- Additional wayfinding has been applied in a quirky fashion to follow with the "friendly" attitude of the brand, decided on during the project briefing
The Extra Care
- We found that a lot of frustration in the experience in other fitness spaces come from the lack of supplies, so we took care to provide deodorants, cotton disks, soaps, etc for the clients
The Design
- As the facility originally was rented by the founders with the plumbing already installed, most of the work has been done around changing the design of the rooms we were provided.
All the rennovation took 4 months to complete, with certain details being added over time after the launch of the studio in March of 2023.
The process was mainly focused on creating a great and attractive brand experience for the visitors.
The choices for the design and arrangement being a careful process of finding the ultimate solutions between the facility that we had on hand, the experience that emerged from client studies and the budget limitations of a startup business.
The process was mainly focused on creating a great and attractive brand experience for the visitors.
The choices for the design and arrangement being a careful process of finding the ultimate solutions between the facility that we had on hand, the experience that emerged from client studies and the budget limitations of a startup business.
The founders - Margarita Krylova and Levon Arshakyan - began creating the concept for a wellness-oriented, weights-free workout space half a year before.
I joined once Margarita and Levon rented the empty rooms, in order to create the zonongs, plans of arrangement, design and client journeys for the fitness studio.
I joined once Margarita and Levon rented the empty rooms, in order to create the zonongs, plans of arrangement, design and client journeys for the fitness studio.
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Co-Living
Bournemouth, being an emerging in popularity working and living youth destination, surprisingly doesn't provide much affordable living options for graduates.
Facility Structure
Building Study
- The office structure facilitates 4 distinct zones visible through building sections - regular living apartments (floors G to 5), suites (floor 6), entertainment basement and a social rooftop.
Special Features
- Each living floor is equipped with working spaces on-floor and "working pods" ascending in-between the floors
- The rooftop is equipped with a gym and outdoor "club zone" for parties
The Entertainment
- The main feature - of course - is the lovely 2-floor basement, facilitating a game room, libraries, cinema, an in-house cafe (going up to floor G) and a Basement Oasis (underground garden)
Facility Design
Aesthetic
- The design of the facility was based around the idea of re-purposement, with a base choice of materials being in the themes on nature and attempting to facilitate second-hand furniture
Trendy yet Timeless
- Eclectic and Bohemian were the styles of choice for the facility, as both tend to house a mixture of furnishing styles, fitting well also with the ideaology behind reduce-reuse-recycle
Working and Enjoying
- The above-mentioned Basement Oasis became a possibility due to the floorplan of the basement extending beyond the G floor, allowing us to channel natural sunlight for the plants below
This project is creating a new model of living, which brings together residents with similar aspirations and life choices into one communal family, which encourages social life.
It is aimed at active residents in remote employment, who want to live in the central town without compromising their comfort with their finances.
It is aimed at active residents in remote employment, who want to live in the central town without compromising their comfort with their finances.
Site: Dean Park Crescent, Bournemouth
The Dean Park House was an unpopular office space.
This co-living project is intended to use the underutilized space and emerging design trends of re-use / re-purposement of materials to welcome young residents and bring a trendy and cosy feel with a touch of nature.
This co-living project is intended to use the underutilized space and emerging design trends of re-use / re-purposement of materials to welcome young residents and bring a trendy and cosy feel with a touch of nature.
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Mariinsky Theatre -3
The proposition, created in collaboration with Kleinewelt Architekten, was to create a "complementary center" between St Isaac's Square and "New Holland".
Core User Planning
Building Study
- The original structure was built in 1789 according to the design of N. A. Lvov, serving as the Head Post Office
- In 2019, a reconstruction project for the area has been announced
User Experience Exploration
- In the ideology of Valery Gergiev, the crown element of the space was to be a "transforming theatre"
- So after building studies, attention was put on facilitating this concept
The Final Plans
- Considering the opportunities and the undecisiveness on the side of the city on the extent of change permitted to the space, we arrived at plans that work in any final decision scenario
Project Continuation
The Design
- The "functional fulfillment" of the rest of the building was centered around arts and cultural activities
- The selected style was Bohemian Eclectic, to "bridge the old and the new"
Social Spaces
- Besides the theatre, we arrived at the "alleyway" becoming a great social space, filled with gardens, cafes, displays and other means of attracting attention from the pass-though visitors
Blended Experience
- Following inspiration by classical Italian architecture, while the Atrium was to be facilitating the theatre action, the Foyer spaces were to be pass-through spaces for observation and leisure
The original concept that we proposed envisaged the creation of a single pedestrian zone on Pochtamtskaya Street.
In addition to the theatre in the Glavpochtampt building and cafes, the courtyards were proposed to house antique shops, workshops, contemporary art showrooms, co-working spaces, offices, a hostel, and a secret garden. The content and landscaping were designed to evoke associations with the streets of an Italian city.
In addition to the theatre in the Glavpochtampt building and cafes, the courtyards were proposed to house antique shops, workshops, contemporary art showrooms, co-working spaces, offices, a hostel, and a secret garden. The content and landscaping were designed to evoke associations with the streets of an Italian city.
Site: Pochtamtskaya st., 9a, St. Petersburg, 190000 (Ex-"Glavpochtampt")
The general idea, which has been agreed upon with the city, involved the comprehensive development of the territory with several "anchors". In particular, a concert venue "Mariinsky -3" appearing in the Main Post Office building ("Glavpochtampt") - an analogue of London's "Albert Hall".
The main ideologist for the project was Valery Gergiev.
The main ideologist for the project was Valery Gergiev.
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AUB Transformer Theatre
The brief was to create a redevelopment proposition for the newly acquired AUB
(Arts University Bournemouth) theatre on
Hinton Road.
(Arts University Bournemouth) theatre on
Hinton Road.
Planning and Programme
Spatial zoning
- The original facility has been broken into 2 main sections - overground and underground, splitting the themes
- Zoning was created via matching building plans and project requirements
The Daytime Program
- Morning lectures could be facilitated at the main theatre besides performances
- Remaining spaces could facilitate creativity with modern technologies such as VR alongside craft rooms
The Evening Program
- Evening programs suggested exhibition and fun activity spaces
- Considering the popularity of nightlife amongst students in Bournemouth, a student-only nightclub was appropriate
Design Language
The Design
- The design language has been mainly inspired by the trends of eco-centric thinking and a common theme in youth media being that of grasping for nature in times of hyper-minimalism
Historical Inspiration
- As the original theatre has been designed in the Art Deco style, which was also historically heavily leaning towards natural materials in furnishings, that style inspiration was amplified
Futurism and Tradition
- The above-mentioned modern technologies such as VR and computation have been easy to integrate, following the Art Deco tendency to also apply metal in design
This rennovation proposition was intended to:
1. Facilitate theatrical, digital and mixed-media performances, lectures and exhibitions organized/curated by the Arts University Bournemouth
2. Create an additional source of revenue for the university/courses
3. Expand on the locally avaliable entertainment opportunities in Bournemouth, improving thetourist/local resident experience
4. Demonstrate how boundaries of ecological considerations can be pushed further even in complex, mixed-use facilities
1. Facilitate theatrical, digital and mixed-media performances, lectures and exhibitions organized/curated by the Arts University Bournemouth
2. Create an additional source of revenue for the university/courses
3. Expand on the locally avaliable entertainment opportunities in Bournemouth, improving thetourist/local resident experience
4. Demonstrate how boundaries of ecological considerations can be pushed further even in complex, mixed-use facilities
Site: AUB Theatre, Hinton Road, Bournemouth, BH1 2AR (Ex-Palace Court Theatre)
The task was to explore new approaches to university & community connections via an ‘academic by day, community by night’ platform.
It was envisaged that bigger and broader thinking of the university offer within its community through the creation of speculative playful spaces that encourages social interaction and local engagement through interactive installations.
It was envisaged that bigger and broader thinking of the university offer within its community through the creation of speculative playful spaces that encourages social interaction and local engagement through interactive installations.
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Path to Gaia (Temporary)
The client- Activate Dorset- have proposed for our course to create pavilions for the instillation artist Luke Jerram, displaying his latest work "Gaia".
The Site
Path Creation
- Some of the forest is accessible, but as the installation was to take place in the middle of the forest floor, it was decided to increase accessibility to the art piece via pavilion-creation
Mini-Pavilions
- Besides the created path, additional structures have been invented to allow for additional mixed-media pieces to complete and narrate the work, amplifying the user's depth of thinking
Multi-Dimensional
- As an accent by Luke Jerram has been placed on the idea of 3-dimentionality, it has been decided to further amplify dimensions of thinking by allowing visitors to view Gaia from above
The Technology
The Design
- The mini-pavilions were an innovative concept facilitating digital media installations while being fully eco-friendly and causing no harm to the surrounding nature
Social Spaces
- Gutter systems, AuReus foodwaste solar panels, bioconcrete tiles, bioplastic frames, bioluminescent lighting and mycelium panels are just few of the applied technologies
Blended Experience
- The attempted experimental material application, besides facilitating instillations, was demonstrating the future possible if more consideration was given to bio-regeneration
The summarized brief was to create a series of self-sustaining and 'green' pavilions, serving as accessibility-assisting AR exhibition spaces with water fountains & other amenities.
The pavilions were to be connected by a biomimicry-inspired fractal formations trail, providing opportunity to view Gaia up close to any visitor of any ability.
The pavilions were to be connected by a biomimicry-inspired fractal formations trail, providing opportunity to view Gaia up close to any visitor of any ability.
Site: Moors Valley Nature Reserve
Gaia is a touring artwork, measuring seven metres in diameter and created from 120dpi detailed NASA imagery of the Earth’s surface. The artwork provides the opportunity to see our planet, floating in three dimensions, intended to evoke a feeling of awe for the planet, a profound understanding of the interconnection of all life, and a renewed sense of responsibility for taking care of the environment
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Split Lab
This conceptual project was to increase the media presence of Bourenmouth.
Experimental Space
The Pier
- The Pier was opened by the Lord Mayor of London in August 1880. Two extensions, in 1894 and 1909 respectively, took the pier's overall length to more than 304.8 m
The Structure
- Two floors of the pier itself allow public access via the promenade around the central structures
- The free space on the pier also allows for an addition of a conservatory
The Two Sides
- One side facilitates "Creative" residents and the other - "Technical"
- Graduates could come to reside for 3 months, given freedom and sponsorship to create passion projects on-platform
Design Concept
Unity Zone
- The Pier is split in half, each side stylized after the residents
- However, in the center of the platform is a staircase and slide from the top floor, where residents can meet and converse
Work/Life Balance
- Each side includes all amenities required for its respective work - creative and technical workshops
- They also include wellness zones, libraries, entertainment and gyms
Live Observation
- As the residents pursue their interests for 3 months, visitors can observe their work from the promenade
- There is also a live-show translation happening during the whole residency
The idea was that not only would a live translation of all the work and life (besides personal rooms) of the residents increase the social media presence of the town, attracting viewers to the shenanigens that residents get up to;
It would also be a great opportunity for residents themselves to potentially get discovered by future employers and sponsors, highlight Bournemouth as a creative hub AND inspire children that may visit the promenade with their parents through observing "genius at work".
It would also be a great opportunity for residents themselves to potentially get discovered by future employers and sponsors, highlight Bournemouth as a creative hub AND inspire children that may visit the promenade with their parents through observing "genius at work".
Site: Bournemouth Pier
The original task was to re-imagine the Bournemouth Pier in order to highlight the local area and attract more tourists.
Taking after the popularity of live shows and inspiration of the two universities in the area - Bournemouth University (STEM) and Arts University Bourenmouth (Creative) - being conceptualized as opposites by local students, a Live Show facility and Creative/Technical Residency "Split Lab" was proposed.
Taking after the popularity of live shows and inspiration of the two universities in the area - Bournemouth University (STEM) and Arts University Bourenmouth (Creative) - being conceptualized as opposites by local students, a Live Show facility and Creative/Technical Residency "Split Lab" was proposed.
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Medical Isolation Center
The task was to create a medical isolation facility to aid in times of pandemics.
Technical Solutions
Facilitation
- The McMillan Caring Locally is a multi-building site with multiple clinics
- One of the buildings was to be re-purposed as a quarantine facility during the global pandemic
Safety Precautions
- Some of the key considerations for the containment facility for the airborne disease are ventilation systems and clinical sanitation blocks for the doctors, to ensure the virus doesn't escape
Wellness
- As one of the main issues in quarantine has been isolation, an important aspect was creating the possibility for residents to socialize on fresh air whilst staying on premises via the inner garden
Design Details
The Design
- Another influence on mental health of patients is the surrounding environment
- Hence, while respecting medical standards, a more pleasant interior design was created vs standard clinics
Hotel-Like
- In addition to a more enjoyable design, the structure of the facility was created to resemble a large hotel, with en-suite rooms and implementing service automation where possible
All a User Needs
- The rooms themselves resemble residential studios, with storage and TV
- For medics, entry corridors have been created at each pair of rooms, to store patient-specific materials
The goal was creating an environment that is able to adapt to emergency needs regarding contaminated people in the global pandemic.
In an epidemic situation, early containment of virus-infected people is key, but their mental wellness is just as important.
The purpose is to isolate via quarantine, to both protect the public and to help and heal those contained.
In an epidemic situation, early containment of virus-infected people is key, but their mental wellness is just as important.
The purpose is to isolate via quarantine, to both protect the public and to help and heal those contained.
Site: McMillan Caring Locally, Bournemouth
The quarantine facility has to be sanitary, provide a specialist contagious virus isolation ward and be adaptable for various medical needs.
The design facilitates a typically 30-day isolation period and takes into account all physical interaction and psychological damage. This facility encourages continuous interactions with nature and uses modern technology to ease the isolation.
The design facilitates a typically 30-day isolation period and takes into account all physical interaction and psychological damage. This facility encourages continuous interactions with nature and uses modern technology to ease the isolation.
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