Collective Urban Space
Community Reading Pod
This project focused on designing a collective urban space in Huddersfield Town Centre through the transformation of geometric elements. The design explored creative techniques such as rotation, dilation, and reflection to create accessible and inclusive spaces that foster social interaction.
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Key considerations included urban scale, audience use, and composition, with an emphasis on integrating the design into the surrounding environment. Deliverables included site exploration, precedent research, a physical model, and orthographic drawings, culminating in a detailed presentation of the final concept.
Design Development
The Piazza in Huddersfield was chosen as the ideal location for the reading pod due to its proximity to the library, allowing visitors to borrow books and enjoy them in a tranquil setting alongside the pod’s own curated collection.
Surrounded by shops and an art gallery, the Piazza attracts a diverse audience, including students, shoppers, and families, ensuring the pod gains significant attention and engagement. During the colder months, when foot traffic decreases, the reading pod would provide a welcoming retreat, offering a comfortable space to sit, read, and unwind.
Disclaimer: The images used for concept inspiration are for reference purposes only and do not represent my original work.
INITIAL SKETCHES
After creating the initial physical model, I decided to adjust the seat height. Having two seating levels felt less accessible and user-friendly. By raising the lower seat height to align with the higher level, the seating arrangement would become more practical and easier for users to navigate.
