HANAN DHAFER

The project is aimed to provide the artists with a comfortable living space and studio workplace through the restoration of the 17A building, The Mall. The concept was inspired by the artist's work itself: the movement of the beads in the Sabha and the contrast between the circular, small pieces and the straight string which connects all pieces together, and that was reflected in the design by creating a spiral concrete stair which can define as the key element of the design.

The design includes a gallery and a workshop in the basement, a spiral stair and two floors which host the artist's living space with a skylight, in addition, to the existing windows to allow daylight/sunlight to flow through the spiral stairs, enlightening the whole building during the day.

The project brief was to rework an existing building and site in the cultural quarter of Sligo Town Centre, to repurpose for an Artist in Residence, a place for living and working and public engagement.

Statement: The design intention stems from three themes, of which are derived from the context and history of 17a and the client.

The perception of the sloping landscape - creating different level access points throughout the space and creating off-set spaces, altering the perception of the space inside vs outside. Inspired by the existing two level access points, facilitated by the sloping landscape.

The fusion within the craft - using the method of glass fusion to inspire the nature of the connections and thresholds. Highlighting the permanence and strength in the craft of the joining pieces.

The vessel - Addressing the history, or lack thereof. Taking direction from the once vertically spanning chimney and representing this in section. Also by re-dressing the historical skin of the building, which remains the only original piece of 17a, and creating a vessel to support its new life. Overall creating a structure which offers respect to the bones of what was while giving life back to the mall and creating space for a new type of creative hub.