Student

Isidora Jakovijevic

COMMUNITY WITHIN
 

The driving factor for the design of Community Within was to physically invite the community of Kew into the site by making the architecture feel more familiar. To do this the project takes significant elements of heritage public architecture found in Kew and collages them into a new architectural language which is both familiar and works to subvert the negative connotations associated with the asylum building. Aside from a new circulation system which pierces through the buildings to create more porosity while also connecting in with the existing path network, much of the existing grounds and buildings of the former asylum were retained to preserve a connection to history.

Connection was an important part of the design - to allow for adequate accessibility to all areas within the site. The pathways weave through areas of nature to aid in creating a calming outdoor environment. The site contains an extensive number of community programs specifically relevant to the community of Kew. The aim of the design is to revitalise the heritage asylum building, maintaining its identity as well as making it more familiar and welcoming for the community of Kew.

Link to folio