Architecture - Masters
The inter generational learning and living bayside campus is designed in order to provide seniors and youth the shared spaces where they can ‘interact, share, inspire and learn’ together. Three buildings holding different activities are designed to enhance social diversity on the campus – resulting in good well-being for both the generations.
The masterplan of the intergenerational living and learning environment campus gives an overview of how the site is connected to its surrounding. The masterplan is designed for the seniors, students and visitors of the Sandgate to come to the campus and create a community regardless of their age, gender, sex and religion.
The urban sections gives a detail overview of the connectivity and height of the buildings and different spaces. People entering from the bayside living gardens make their way to the campus. The proposed pedestrian path near the sea allows people to have good views to Moreton Bay and the campus at the same time – allowing for good interaction with people that results in improved well-being of the individuals.
The idea to design site plan was to have the community building in the centre with the residential and school on the either side. The landscape is planned in H-Shape to let users pass by and through the building enjoying the different spaces in the building. The central community courtyard brings everyone together.
The Bay side living gardens on the site gives opportunity to people to have a view to the three buildings. The landscape is designed to make people linger in the space – to be able to give them the opportunity to interact, socialise and build a community. The gardens provide a space for people to sit and have views to on site activities – like busking.
The landscape seating area is proposed in the middle of the site with water feature for people to come and relax and have a look at all the three buildings at once. It also provides them the opportunity to interact with people passing by on the site and create a bond.
The sub-tropical design response is applied to the building by orienting it to North to get the best daylight. The use of courtyards in the middle of the buildings with plantation helps to provide cool breezes as the direction of the majority of winds is from South – allowing for good ventilation.
The landscape pathway is also designed in H-Shape in order to connect the three buildings and create an aesthetic journey for people on the Sandgate site.
The Bayside campus is designed to enhance the interaction between seniors and students.
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The in-between spaces are designed for people to stop and interact with each other and form a bond which otherwise is neglected when passing from one building to another.
The atrium is the main element of the school that binds the building together. The open informal study spaces are located in this space. It is designed so that students can watch, interact and learn from each other.
It also provides an opportunity for seniors to come to this space and interact with students, leaving the classrooms solely for the student use.
The first floor plan is designed to enhance interaction within the building’s different spaces and also with the exterior spaces – hence, the plans are evident to have voids and angled layouts to create those spaces.
This section shows the in-between spaces for people to gather. The choice of materials – cross laminated timber and precast concrete gives an aesthetic contrast to the building.
The butterfly roof addresses the heritage in a new context. The atrium creates the interactive spaces for students and also seniors visiting. The use of vertical fins in the building prevents the harsh sunlight from getting in.
The seating are and landscape between community building and residential apartments gives the feel of a connectivity between different buildings. Also, the courtyard gives opportunity for seniors and visitors to stop and interact.
Passing from the community buildings to the apartments, the open courtyard at the ground level allows people to build a community. Thus, keeping the functional architecture language same.
The idea for the senior living apartments was to have a townhouse feel – hence, each apartment has a separate slanted roof as seen in Section D-D. The building is designed to enhance interaction – done through the central courtyard and the interactive balconies.
This feature ensures seniors are not isolated . The design accounts for transparency as well as having a comfortable private life at home at the same time.
The section of the shared facility (community building) gives detail of the central glass dorm courtyard. The use of concrete slab and I beams supports the building with further details of the steel gutter on the roof. The hidden duct system ensures a clear ceiling for individuals.
The main ingredient in community is time.
For building a community you need to invest time. As designers, we cannot make their community – but offering them a variety of activities for both the generations to enjoy – the design gives opportunity to seniors and youth to spend time there and create a special bond.
The image shows the people overlooking from the gym to the courtyard and open meeting space in the lobby.
Honey Belani is very passionate about architecture and enjoy the design thinking process to create beautiful spaces for the society. Honey has recently finished her Master of Architecture from QUT and enjoys designing spaces with people-centric approach. Honey is also an enthusiast for interior decors, fashion, spaces and lifestyle.