Escaping daily life

Located in London, a busy city where citizens are constantly rushed, the project explored the idea to create an urban place which invites for relaxation and artistic stimulation. By transforming a neglected site with abandoned buildings into an Art Factory and Yoga Centre, the brief focuses on materiality and construction techniques.

Working in the context of the existing buildings on site, I carefully studied their structures and decided to partially demolish and refurbish those in order to take advantage of their architectural heritage. I introduced new public spaces which make use of the location adjacent to the canal, yet protect the users from the busy streets and allow them to slow down from everyday life. \nThe main focus of the project was the idea to create a Yoga Centre as a metaphor for memory. The philosophy of Yoga, which is about reconnecting the body, mind and soul with nature and one self, inspired me to explore different materials and construction technologies to create a building that is ‘self-generating' like the human body: it can breathe, provide itself with energy and regenerate over night. It is developed as a static shelter that secludes and protects the interior from external distractions, like the noise and vibrance from the adjacent railway in order to create calm, highly performing spaces. I developed a well thought through concrete facade combined with a sustainable environmental strategy that allows the function of the building to become part of it. Further, I explored spatial coincidence and materials such as concrete, wood and stone to create experiences that advocate the sensual experience of the place. Light, textures and colours became a crucial aspect to express my ideas. Therefore, the roofscape of the building is characterised by different skylight structures to establish a connection to the sky. The surfaces are characterised by different concrete imprints and wood textures to express the atmosphere of nature in a built environment.