Sara Ellisy

My focus was working from the body outwards, considering ‘comfort’ at every layer from the skin to the atmosphere.

From my research of Kingston upon Thames I placed the needs of the community as one of my highest priorities. My site is in the vicinity of a bustling town centre as well as many educational and work institutions. My aim was to create a space that would provide a sanctuary for the community away from the busy and fast-moving lives. I am proposing a 52x52m 3-storey community centre that provides multiple spaces that can be used for relaxation, work, gathering or meditation.

I am using the soil dug out for the foundation to in-fill my building’s internal courtyard and level it out with the first floor. This will create a courtyard on the first floor and allow my ‘good room’, the central reflection room, to be warmly enveloped, sound proofed, more private and therefore comfortable for its users.

During the daytime, people can experience how the sunlight interacts with the rooms and how it changes throughout the day. During the nighttime, low-level warm lighting will be used to create a similar dimly lit room. The room uses dark timber to achieve a comfortable and natural atmosphere. All my design decisions were driven by the intention of creating a room where the individual can have a moment to sit and breathe.