Ailsa ArabiPortfolio

“Architecture enables us to percieve and understand the dialectics of permanence and change, to settle ourselves in the world, and to place ourselves in the continuum of culture and time.”

- Juhani Pallasmaa

Alternative Therapies Mental Health Clinic

The project completed during BArch(Hons) was located in Budapest, Hungary. Both brief and program were determined by research into the culture, history and urban planning of Hungary. The main objective for the program was to create a building which would benefit people with mental health issues living in Budapest. The current level of mental health care is minimal, with the closure of all mental institutes in 2007 and no planned facilities to replace the out dated soviet mental institutes. Budapest is rich in natural thermal springs, which have numerous health benefits. Combining spa treatments and various alternative therapies within the programme allowed for an interesting play on a variety of bespoke spaces.

Experimenting with conceptual model; exploring the idea of layering and permeability. As well as experiencing an architectural relationship between varied spaces and hierarchies.

The idea behind the design of the spas comes from the formation of caves. The dense layout, thick walls and controlled top light represent the nature of caves. The circulation joining each pool and sauna has thin strips of water surrounding the perimeter of the floor giving the impression that the whole spa level is floating on water. Each pool entrance is illuminated by roof lights to signify each section of the spa.

Travelling through the spa is fluid from each section of the spa. The progression through the spa is based on traditional Turkish bath ceremony. The three main pools are interconnected, the first pool is the ‘sicaklik’ (hot bath), which then connects to the ‘tepidarium’ (warm bath) and finally connects to the ‘sogukluk’ (cold bath).

The walls of the spa level are made from layered glass, which resembles falling water and waterfalls. The walls are semi transparent, and allow the people using the spas to see the shadows of fellow bathers

giving the impression walls of rippling water.

Each meditation space was designed to encompass the running themes of light, nature, water and strength, which are strong elements that run throughout the design. The meditation spaces each sit on pools of water which symbolise the medicinal waters of the spa. Water also cascades down the external concrete when it rains through holes in the parapet. Glazing at the base of the concrete wall gives the visual impression of floating on water, conceptually based on a lotus flower.The use of exposed concrete symbolises strength and safety. The thick exposed concrete gives the sense of protection. Internally the space contrasts to the thick concrete, with timber flooring and meditation mat. The softness of nature is expressed through a pebbled floor and potted tree. The frosted glazing creates an intimate private space, as well as a pleasing soft filtered light. A deep roof light enables controlled light to cascade over the person meditating. The idea for each meditation space was to amalgamate all of the features experienced in the design in one place, where contemplation of well being is emphasised and encouraged.

Meditation Block

Expressive Block

Cognitive Block

Healing Garden Block

Spa Block

1 8mm Iam. safety glass mirror2 Double glazing: 2x8mm Iam. safety glass + 16mm cavity

3 Roof build-up: 220mm reinf. conc. wall DPM 100mm polystyrene rigid-foam 200mm reinf. conc. wall

5 Floor build-up: 3mm linoleum 105mm anhydrite screed polythene sheeting 30mm mineral fibre impact sound insulation

4 30/150 softwood facade fins with 80/80 counterbattens

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1 8mm Iam. safety glass mirror

2 Double glazing: 2x8mm Iam. safety glass + 16mm cavity

3 Roof build-up: 220mm reinf. conc. wall

DPM

100mm polystyrene rigid-foam

200mm reinf. conc. wall

4 30/150 softwood facade fins with 80/80 counterbattens

5 Floor build-up: 3mm linoleum

105mm anhydrite screedpolythene sheeting30mm mineral fibre impact sound insulation

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1 100/160mm steel RHS glass bearer around three sides of opening2 100/30mm steel RHS3 2mm sheet aluminimum, painted4 30mm thick glass, layered- 500mm wide5 pool overflow channel and grating6 sectional ss pool edge panels with A-frame supports7 warm air supply plenum

Build up of intensive roof garden

Planting, Paving, Decking750mm Intensive soilFilter fleeceGeodrain

Leith Anatomy of Place

In recent times Leith Walk has fallen into disrepair. Local community groups and independent business have introduced schemes to strengthen the street frontages. Lottery funded grants have been issued to the small business of Leith to help improve the state of Leith walk. The concept behind the catering and hospitality college, is that the students will be educated in vocational skills that can then be transferred into the areas of Leith, strengthening and boosting employment, education, health and restoring Leiths community driven streets.

Lynch maps investigating social issues such as housing, education, health, crime, social boundaries and barriers.

Tectonic studies into the structure and possibilities of the existing viaduct.

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1- Cafe2- Market atrium space3- Market hall storage4- Permanant andfree standiing shops5- Rentable commercial units6- Shops office and adim space7- Exhibition Hall8- Admin9- Theatre10- Public square and external market space11- Cinema room12- Hostel kitchen13- Foyer14- Communal space15- Laundry

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16- Commercial mezzanine level17- Mezzanine exhibition space18- Hostel dorm rooms

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18- Hostel dorms rooms19- Walkway over Leith Walk20- Allotments21- Reception/ Janitor 22- Admin23- Communal space24- Changing rooms25- Deli kitchen26- Bakery Kitchen27- Produce Kitchen28- Dry storage, freezer staorage, cold storage29- Grill Kitchen30- Seminar rooms/ multi purpose rooms

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31- Theatre32- Dining/ Communal area33- Training Resturant

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34- Seminar rooms/ Class rooms35- Library

Reinstated bridge over Leith walk provides a landmark when entering Leith, and enhancing identity and attachment with the residents of Leith.

High rise public walk way encourages exercise. Improves and broadens connections within Leith. The Raised level provides reflection points on route where you can capture the skyline of Edinburgh with one view and the docks and Leith with the other.

Views of the gardens and allotments from the library stimulates the users mind and increases their general wellbeing

Seminar rooms on mezzanine level can be used as viewing platform into the various training kitchens and practice restaurants. This is to help improve the learning experience by being able to connect visually to each space.

Practice Kitchen is the heart of the building, its the final training stage. This area can be viewed from all the communal spaces and circulation, to give the feeling of goals and promote enthusiasm.

The arches house the commercial aspects of the scheme. From the street each arch resembles traditional shop fronts, but internally are permeable by creating an indoor street. each cafe and food specialist shop can work together and provide ingredients for the various cafes and bakers.

Balgreen Farm, Renfrewshire, Scotland:

This 500 year old stone built farm comprising steading accommodation and adjoining buildings for agricultural use, was purchased with a view to modernising it for residential use. It presented significant design and construction challenges because of its deteriorated state, the need to incorporate today’s building standards within its ancient structures and the change of use from small animal dwellings, to light, airy, open plan residential accommodation. I designed layouts and produced working drawings, incorporating my suggestions for architectural features including a mezzanine and spiral staircases which the owner was delighted to accept.

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT

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