Evaluation:

I enjoyed working on this project, which was both challenging and interesting. I aimed to design a building – a museum – which is part of the regeneration project in Stratford, East London. This was based on the research I carried out in relation to similar buildings – museums in all shapes and sizes, displaying artefacts related mostly to the Arts.

I carried out the research related to my topic. This involved analysing interior and exterior spaces that incorporate curves and patterns. I focused on the exterior aspect of the buildings as I really wanted to analyse in detail a range of structures designed by Jean Nouvel. The renewed French architect is credited with a vision for the future because he breaks the boundaries of traditional architectural style. He does not favour the linear, almost sculptural design of his predecessors; instead, he proposes structures that defy the principles of gravity. Here I refer to the National Museum of Qatar, the Tilted Towers in Paris or The Philharmonie de Paris. Therefore, I decided on an undulating layout for my model that reflect my chosen theme – form over function, complex commercial space that serves the purpose of the users. I also found out that Jean Nouvel masters the use of light and dark in his projects, notably in Louvre Abu Dhabi and Institute du Monde Arab. I have taken this into consideration when I designed the glass roof on top of the building and the canopy at ground level.

Following my research, I worked towards making a model for a commercial project – a museum that celebrates the diverse communities living in Stratford, the heart of East London. For this purpose, I looked into Islamic Art patterns because I want the residents to be able to identify themselves with this place. I found out that there are large communities of Asian descend residing in the area. Therefore, I used elements of geometric shapes (specific to the Arab world) to create a new distinctive and eye-catching pattern for the roof and canopy of my museum.

Sustainability is another element incorporated into Jean Nouvel’s buildings, which accommodate vegetation on their terraces. Based on my findings, I aimed to make the building into an eco-friendly structure. I believe that I have succeeded in achieving my goal because I have indeed used plants to promote green infrastructure and mitigate the negative effects of human activity in the city. I have noted this aspect myself when creating the final model and placing it into context.

I loved creating a variety of prototypes which lead to the final design outcome. I experimented with different materials and tried out laser cutting. By doing so, I feel that I learnt something valuable, which I can use in my future studies. Overall, I am pleased with the outcome of the project and I consider that it truly reflects the chosen theme of form over function. This is illustrated by the elaborate design of my final model, which celebrates the diversity and wealth of cultures that make up the local community in the area of Stratford.