UNIT C: Building Stories
Creating (Hi)Stories with Humans + Architecture
Stories bring us into contact with worlds unknown to us and open our eyes to possibilities not yet imagined. For us, as designers, having compelling ways to tell stories provides us with tools to powerfully communicate our ideas and visions.
As architects we are storytelling dreamers, we imagine a building and then we will it into the present through our written and spoken words, drawings and hand gestures.
It starts with a character and their vocation …
A character and their room
… and becomes a Live/Work Unit in a City…
A Live/Work Unit for your character
… which spreads into Oxford …
A city building as a character amongst others
… and becomes a New Oxford Landmark.
The city building for a cast of characters.
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Design Unit: Unit C
Design Unit Name: Building Stories
Studio Leader: Hannah Durham
Technology Tutor: Sam Chisholm
Design Tutor: Wongani Mwanza
Structural Tutor: Alex Johnston
MPL Tutor: Hannah Durham
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Guest Tutors:
- Rosie Somerville
- Hannah Day
- Joel Chappell
- Eric Cugnet
- Helen Warren
- Adrian Truta
Guest Talks:
- Adrian James
- James Pritchard
- Laura Mark
- Tom Fisher
- Gavin Hodgson
- Fiori Koustas
- Anne Hooper
With thanks to:
- Museum of Oxford
- Vishuddha Yoga Centre
- Makespace, Oxford
- Weston Library, Oxford
- Willmott Dixon
- Sir John Soane Museum
- Walmer Yard
- Design Museum
- Oxford Brookes University Environmental Sustainability Team
- Barton Neighbourhood Centre
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Third Year Students:
- Aimee Madine
- Benjamin Rosenstiehl
- Firat Korkmaz
- Hiruni Senaratne
- Joe Johnson
- Kashish Pal
- Laura Rodriguez
- Loveleen Pereira
- Parnian Piltan
- Rachel Opie
- Saleem Chaudry
- Vishwa Gajjar
- Yusra Eskiocak
Second Year Students:
- Abina Nurse
- Alexander Greenall
- Barathi Amarasekaran
- Caragh Norris
- Fatima Kabia
- James Lowery
- Niamh Gibbs
- Philip Koroshilov
- Toluwalope Adewusi
YEAR 02
Alexander J Greenall - Jerichoasis - Jerichoasis is a proposal for a public greenhouse and bathhouse built into a void excavated from Jericho Wharf. The project focuses on global and local issues of water pollution and deforestation, providing a water filtration system and a greenhouse supporting endangered tropical plants. A constant warm interior climate is agreeable for bathing, relaxation and quiet contemplation. The earth, water, air, light and sound vibrations all contribute to a sensory experience that invites users to stay as long as they like without the need to talk or carry possessions. A canalside walk to and from central Oxford in a few minutes.
Alexander J Greenall
Alexander J Greenall
Alexander J Greenall
Philip Koroshilov
Philip Koroshilov
Philip Koroshilov
Philip Koroshilov
Philip Koroshilov
James Lowery - A N E W M A K E S P A C E FO R O X F O R D - My project aims to deliver what the current Makespace Oxford fails to, by designing a building that becomes an instant landmark for Oxford and the people of Jericho. The design aims to provide for the users of Makespace as well as the community equally to ensure the landmark is a success; achieved by integrating two studio spaces, a cafe and dry dock connected via a public plaza.
James Lowery
James Lowery
James Lowery
James Lowery
Niamh Gibbs - The landmark for bees - The landmark for bees provides a recognisable pit stop for nature to thrive in an urban environment. The building aims to develop ongoing research about how we can take care of bees more naturally. The public and local community are welcomed to explore and view beekeeping first hand regardless of beekeeping experience. This includes looking after hives on the green roof and making candles from beeswax. The design marries landscape and architecture, so we learn the value nature brings to us by sharing space. The aim is to educate the public to spread awareness to improve the decline in bees.
Niamh Gibbs
Niamh Gibbs
Niamh Gibbs
Fatima Kabia - Building Stories - Semester 1: Live/Work Unit for a musician/producer/songwriter Semester 2: Creative Therapy Centre
Fatima Kabia
Fatima Kabia
Fatima Kabia
Caragh Norris Semester 1: Yoga Studio Semester 2: Serenity Spa - Lizzy is passionate about yoga, meditation and leads a healthy lifestyle. She lives in Cowley, Oxford, in a residential area near South Park, where she takes long walks every day. I created a space for her to live, eat, sleep, relax, and carry out her own yoga practices. There is also a space dedicated for guests to come and learn/practice restorative yoga. She religiously visits the Landmark Spa in Headington on London Road once or twice a week. The building is a place of pure relaxation containing various changing rooms for inclusivity, a sauna, steam room and a café allowing guests to stay the whole day in a soft robe and watery, warm space.
Caragh Norris
Caragh Norris
Caragh Norris
Abina Nurse - Semester 1: Live/Work Unit for a Poet Semester 2: Oral Library
Abina Nurse
Abina Nurse
Barathi Amarasekaran
Barathi Amarasekaran
Barathi Amarasekaran
Barathi Amarasekaran
Barathi Amarasekaran
Toluwalope Adewusi
Toluwalope Adewusi
Toluwalope Adewusi
YEAR 03
Kashish Pal - SEMESTER 1 PROJECT TITLE: The Luthier’s Workshop SEMESTER 2 PROJECT TITLE: The Seventh View - Inspired from the Dreaming Spires of Oxford, this project proposes a Music Theatre Tower. The projects stemmed from Oxford’s protected view cones, which are elevated areas that give a panoramic view of the stunning architecture and University buildings of Oxford. There are currently 6 key views that are protected from the Oxford City Council, enabling most of Oxford’s community to benefit from this visual delight. However, due to a hill and overgrown tree, the Dreaming Spires are outside Barton’s field of view. This proposal aims to address this issue by contributing to the city’s-wide aspiration of safeguarding Oxford’s skyline, and positively contributing to the wider Green Infrastructure networks across the city
Kashish Pal
Kashish Pal
Kashish Pal
Kashish Pal
Kashish Pal
Benjamin Rosenstiehl - Cheese from A to Z - Throughout this year, my focus has been centered around a culinary cornerstone: Cheese. The goal of my project is to guide individuals on an immersive experience through cheesemaking, unveiling every intricate step of the process and shedding light on the concealed aspects that often elude us as consumers. By undertaking this endeavor, my intention is to enlighten people about food, nutrition, and animal welfare, addressing topics that frequently remain underrepresented in our present-day society.
Benjamin Rosenstiehl
Benjamin Rosenstiehl
Benjamin Rosenstiehl
Benjamin Rosenstiehl
Hiruni Senaratne - Design a Live-Work Unit for a stonemason and Oxford Craft Centre - The stonemason who lives in the Live-Work Unit can work in the stone craft school located in the oxford city centre. Oxford craft centre can accommodate over 200 people at a time, designed to serve the community of Oxford. It is giving an opportunity to keep an ancient craft alive whilst giving young generations a place to learn a new skill as well as providing the community an opportunity to have a hobby and relaxation space. Amateur crafters will be able to exhibit their crafts in the exhibition space.
Hiruni Senaratne
Hiruni Senaratne
Hiruni Senaratne
Hiruni Senaratne
Hiruni Senaratne
Hiruni Senaratne
Yusra Eskiocak
Yusra Eskiocak - Wellness Centre
Yusra Eskiocak
VISHWA GAJJAR - Pottery studio& T-Time Café and Hindu temple in Oxford - Semester 1 was about Live / Work Unit and Semester 2 was designing a Landmark Building in Oxford I designed a character potter which believes in connecting human and nature together from which comes the next project bringing the first ever Hindu temple in Oxford to connect communities together specially a place for Hindu religion to celebrate festivals and different culture together. Designing this two building brought an opportunity to think how about a character feels about his work place and live space and designing a temple brought an opportunity to learn many new things about my culture as an Indian.
VISHWA GAJJAR
VISHWA GAJJAR
VISHWA GAJJAR
VISHWA GAJJAR
Joe Johnson - The New Road Brewhaus - The New Road Brewhaus aims to be a new addition to the Brewing industry and hospitality sector in the city of Oxford, as a city that once had a strong history of brewing in its centre; that came to an abrupt end. It now only has two breweries located outside the city. The New Road Brewhaus is designed to bring the brewing craft back into the city centre and pay homage to the industry's past.
Joe Johnson
Joe Johnson
Firat Korkmaz - Semester 1 - Live/Work Unit for Ironmonger Semester 1 project is a Live work unit for an Ironmonger – whose name is William Lucy- the house is located in Jericho, Oxford. The unit contains public ground floor work space and private space on the first floor. Semester 2 - The Iron Factory Semester 2 Project is a factory that uses only recycled metals to create items. The factory is located in Barton Oxford. The factory is to be a new Oxford landmark building. The chimney in the middle is the centre piece of the factory.
Firat Korkmaz
Firat Korkmaz
Aimee Madine - The Room of Rooms: A live / work unit located at 50 Union Street in Oxford, a home for my character Nell. Nell is a theatre set designer and hosts clients, colleagues, friends and workshops with children from the local primary school here. The house was designed to inspire the inhabitants and have a theatrical nature. The Young People’s Theatre: Located at Underhill Circus in Barton, this new Oxford Landmark aims to decrease antisocial behaviour amongst 13-19 year olds surrounding the site. Centering around a circus tent structure the design reflects the site identity whilst having user comfort at the forefront with numerous moveable / versatile elements.
Aimee Madine
Aimee Madine
Aimee Madine
Aimee Madine
Aimee Madine
Rachel Opie - The Arts Centre - Introducing the vibrant art centre nestled in the heart of Oxford, a haven for creativity and cultural expression. This meticulously designed Arts hub caters to the flourishing art community by offering spacious studios to local artists, fostering an environment where imagination knows no bounds. The centre showcases exquisite gallery spaces, where masterpieces come alive, enticing visitors to explore and engage with art from diverse perspectives. Complementing this artistic sanctuary is a lively piazza, a captivating public space that beckons residents and tourists alike. Here, conversations, performances, and exhibitions intertwine, forging connections and nurturing a sense of community. Together, these elements harmoniously breathe life into Oxford's artistic soul.
Rachel Opie
Rachel Opie
Rachel Opie
Rachel Opie
Loveleen Pereira - Semester 1: Live/Work Unit for a Pottery Artist Semester 2: Chair Workshop
Loveleen Pereira
Loveleen Pereira
Parnian Piltan - Taste of Persia- Semester 1 - My character was an experience host who created a wine tasting experience the Persian way. In Iran wine would be drunk on special occasions in clay cups while listening to traditional instrumental music. My semester two project was the continuation of wine however I created a factory where the grape from the local area is turned into wine.
Parnian Piltan
Parnian Piltan
Laura Rodriguez - SEMESTER 1 A home for Adrian, an unlikable and rude food critic that focuses on his privacy and lonely hobbies such as cooking or gardening. SEMESTER 2 A street food market in Headington that responds to its surroundings and their needs. A building that focuses on good food and to educate its visitors on how different cultures consume different dishes. The design aims to use architecture to make everyone feel welcome and included.
Laura Rodriguez
Laura Rodriguez
Saleem Chaudry - Glass Animals Performance Home + Headington Music Hub - Through both my projects I aimed to explore the relationship between music, architecture, and the user. Using different elements such as lighting and technical design I found ways in which multiple functions of music, such as performing and recording, could be expanded further to include even more experiential journeys by combining spaces like vinyl production/selling and acoustic domains within an architectural building. Thus, ultimately producing optimum physical spaces for music enthusiasts in Oxford, while celebrating the existing symphonic culture.
Saleem Chaudry
Saleem Chaudry
Saleem Chaudry
Saleem Chaudry