Student

Yuxuan Weng

EXPOSING THE ASYLUM
 

The former Kew lunatic asylum is a significant historic building. It has the value to be preserved and restored. However, the institutional building no longer meets the functional needs of today. Therefore, a new functional building needs to be designed and built.

Exposing the Asylum sorts to expose the former asylum externally and internally. Externally, to highlight and frame important features of the former asylum building, and internally so users can experience firsthand what it might feel like to have lived within its walls. The exposure outside is a narrative exposure route along which the visitor can experience the constant change of Kew asylum as they walk. The exposure inside the building is an interaction of architectural elements. Through the redesign of specific elements in the interior spaces, the visitor can experience the structure by themselves. Through the combination of these existing and new elements, there is a renewed awareness and knowledge of former Kew Lunatic Asylum and its history.

Link to folio