First Conceptual Response

 Week 03

ST. AIDANS

 First Conceptual Response

For the first conceptual response for the site, my group began by drawing our own bubble diagrams to identify the key areas on site and suggest possible uses for each area. We all agreed that the vegetable garden should be extended and organised into a cross formation to emphasise the symbolism of the Christian faith within the site. Furthermore, we place the meditation area near the willow tree to weep and this area will be higher than the rest of the garden in theory so is suitable for a water fountain as the water will cascade over the rocks that will also be installed. A seating area was added adjacent to the kitchen area and a sense of play and mystery was accomplished with a prayer labrynth and mounds around the site. Lastly most of the planting is to be edible and monastic; plants such as rosemary, sage, dill, wormwood, rue, fennel, tansy and southernwood. 

We used several sheets of tracing paper to either add new ideas or to simplify the design and go back a step, where the layout we applied did not correspond to the brief. 

Above was teh lasst draft of the response before the tutorial. We can see a cnetral meeting space, meditation areas, seating, a sense of play and other amenities. 

After the session we decided to futher segregate each section by adding a second axis, in addition to the vegetable area. This then therefore adds more religious immagery. Also we discussed the use of a thinner overhead structure to allow for better circulation, especially in the summer months (this will also benefit the community at all times of the year as this overheard base can be used to hang different objects on). Moreoever, we have incorporated motifs to link concepts and to give the appearence a structured approach.