UNIT 2

Hybrid Futures

This year Unit 2 looked at the theme of ‘transformation’ through the lens of the continuing discourse between analogue and digital production. Architects rely on visual work (GAs, renders, models) and words to present and explain design ideas and processes. For instance, CAD and BIM allow to work efficiently and share libraries of digital materials and building elements between a range of specialists. Yet this might raise the question of how the digital words created are related back to the thing-ness of the objects and materials, and how as designers we can retain a creative authorship.

Most recently we have also seen examples of AI learning platforms that generate art from textual descriptions. If a software is taking artistic authorship, how might our roles as authors and designers might be affected and transformed, and what impact this would have to the spaces we design? Do we think and create new ways of making? As a response, Unit 2 explored the use of physical making and fabrication alongside the digital techniques, embracing the unexpected of design through making and creative mistakes to push architectural production.

We started the year with a short introductory project to provide a preparation of the methods and the theoretical background of the student design practice. To consider how the meaning ‘hybrid’ might be explored spatially, we borrowed the term ‘hinged spaces’ from architect Steven Holl who used this term in his Fukuoka Housing project to describe his modern interpretation of traditional Fusima – a set of moveable walls that connect, open or close spaces. Our interpretation of a hinged space expanded further to explore the idea of interlocking two or more different elements, such as the physical with the digital, culture with technology, pictorial representation with reality.

To inform this process, each student examined a scene from contemporary cinema that depicts an interesting space speculating about the use or impact of technologies in the daily life. This analysis informed the production of a prototype which recreated, re-imagined, or reconstructed the architecture of the filmed interior. Having developed an interesting architecture prototype, we then focused on Deptford - the site for this year - to test the prototypes in consideration of the site surroundings, social and cultural history of the area.

These proposals developed further some of the filmic analysis and models from the first project and reflected on an interesting use of technology and material exploration. Having explored a research practice with a prototype and a small experimental building in Autumn Term, the students expanded their architectural research, narrative and methods to formulate complex mixed-use building proposals for Deptford for the remainder of the academic year.

Mohammed Alsafi

Stage 5

5B: Hybrid Futures

Deptford Health & Wellness

Located near the Deptford Train Station and the Albany Theatre, ‘Deptford Health & Wellness’ aligns with disability inclusion in catering to able-bodied users and people with physical/ learning disabilities, complex needs and PMLD (Profound Multiple Learning Disabilities). The proposal includes a Gym, a Special Needs equipped sports hall, physiotherapy spaces, chiropractic rooms, a Spa wing and a Market hall space for Deptford’s lively social culture.

Malsafi@hotmail.co.uk

Instagram: @Mkalsafi

Stage 5

Located on the creek side of Deptford, this archaeology centre follows a journey that allows the community to learn, view and experience the creek. The brief was to create a space for archaeologist to come in and provide muk larking tours, including teaching and workshop sessions for the public. The exhibition space played a big role within the design process for the buildings. The site initially had a slope coming down to the creek, but through its design process, the land has been excavated even more and used within the process of creating eco-friendly and sustainable rammed earth walls for the building itself. The exhibition space now displays objects found from the creek inside the semi outdoor area with the mud exposed from beneath that connects down to the creek allowing water to flow in. This creating an atmosphere and tangible experience.