Prize Winner

Charles Horn Prize

Interior Design School of Design

Haeun Kim

(She/Her)

As a spatial designer, Haeun reimagines a diverse range of moments within spaces through her unique interpretations. Utilising a variety of tools such as model making, drawing, storytelling, and collage, she expresses her ideas and creates distinctive outcomes. Her particular interest lies in the natural blending of the old and the new, as well as the flexibility of spaces. Through her current project, she aims to break down the boundaries between educational institutions and professional studio space. The project, “Maker’s Playground” gives individuals the creative space for growth and rediscovery.

Contact
kkhe1224@gmail.com
H.Kim3@student.gsa.ac.uk
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Projects
Maker’s Playground
Site
Exterior
Facility
Ground floor
First floor
Library physical model
+ Idea expression

Maker’s Playground

Maker’s Playground will serve as a design-centred knowledge incubator, facilitating the exploration, experimentation, and expression of personal creativity. The user group, referred to as “makers”, will converge in this space. The aim is to bring together individuals with similar interests in a shared environment that inspires collaboration through teaching and learning. This venue could serve as an entry point for recent graduates taking their initial steps into becoming pre-designers, while also providing an opportunity for more established designers to take “time out” for a mid-career break or transition. Additionally, the space is envisioned to be accessible to the public, providing easy access to the realm of design and thereby contributing to a greater sense of community. The space is designed to inspire participation in ‘exploring’, ‘doing’, and ‘making’, offering diverse facilities and workshops spanning culture, design, art and various other activities.

Site

Glue Factory 22 Farnell St, Glasgow G4 9SE

The Glue Factory was built in 1981; the premises was initially utilised by the British & Foreign Aerated Water Co. Ltd. Later in the 20th century, the factory became associated with the Scottish Adhesives Co. Ltd. (hence ‘Glue Factory’). Since 2020, It has been repurposed as an artistic venue, hosting cross-artform exhibitions and events.

 

 

Preserving the authentic character of the building’s predecessor, the Glue Factory, was paramount. Elements such as exposed brick, wooden roofs, pipes, and tanks were retained, reflecting the structure’s industrial heritage and enriching its narrative with depth. Internally, the ground floor includes a spacious layout encompassing a double-height tank room, warehouse, and former machine space. The first floor features a high-pitched ceiling and offers natural light from the roof’s windows.

1:400 site context model

Glue factory logo

Gallery space

The fire exit in the tank room

The stairs leading to the tank room

Warehouse

Tank room with mezzanine

First floor corridor

Exterior

There will be a conversion of an existing but dormant door within the building into a functional window. This repurposed feature will allow views into both the assembly workshop and the seating working area. The external platform will function during the day to engage the public and give passersby insight into the building. After that, the window will be shut during nighttime to uphold safety protocols and safeguard the premises.

An existing but unused door

Daytime view

Nighttime view

Facility

This space accommodates two main user groups: MAKERS and VISITORS. Accordingly, the entrances to the building are divided, with makers utilising the ground floor entry point and visitors entering through the first floor door.

Ground floor

Ground floor plan / section drawing

Assembly Area

The ground floor features wood and metal workshops equipped with essential 3D making machinery, such as bandsaws, table saws, pillar drills, sanders, mills, lathes, guillotines, grinding bays, and welding bays. Exiting the wood workshop, you enter a spacious assembly area with high ceilings, serving as a central hub for makers. This area includes storage for artworks of various sizes and a wide array of tools for creative projects.

Material re-use centre

One of the significant environmental concerns among makers is how to conserve and utilise materials in a sustainable manner. To address this, a material station was manufactured to allow makers to re-use other creators' discarded items. Regardless of size, type, or weight, individuals can store materials they no longer need, creating a cyclical system where anyone in need can access and reuse them.

Library

This space houses a collection of design and art books, offering diverse reading materials. Visitors can buy books from the mezzanine bookshop or borrow up to four books for three weeks. It also hosts annual maker’s markets and design talks, providing opportunities to engage with maker's art pieces and industry professionals.

Library bespoke furniture

This library promotes active engagement among people. Intriguing conversations, proactive source searching, and an upbeat atmosphere thrive here. While it serves as a regular library most of the time, during the makers’ market season, it will be buzzing with activity.

Cloakroom / Bike storage

In the early 20th century, the glue factory was also known as the home of Argyle Cycles, a rare bicycle factory in Scotland. Remembering this, the space encourages cycling and offers bike storage for makers to securely store their bicycles. Image Credit http://canmore.org.uk/collection/596989

Exhibition area

This area hosts regular exhibitions by makers and external designers. It features a concrete floor, existing bricks and white walls, with natural light coming in through the windows. The open space, with a central pillar, accommodates large-scale works and showcases public workshop outcomes. The current exhibition is a solo showcase of Rahee Yoon, a designer and artist based in Seoul. Her work conveys a warm and poetic feeling to the audience using acrylic, the most artificial material.

First floor

First floor plan / section drawing

Kitchen / Cafeteria

This space serves as another community hub for makers. The interconnected kitchen and cafeteria create an inviting, open atmosphere where people can come together around long tables. Individuals can exchange ideas, insights, and aspects of their lives along with delicious food, further enriching a sense of community.

Kitchen bespoke furniture

Flexible working area (door closed)

The foldable door between the flexible working area and the cafeteria plays a significant role in this space. It divides the two rooms, facilitating their integration into one during special occasions. Within the flexible working area, foldable furniture enables versatile setups tailored to the size of each event, promoting unrestricted enjoyment of the space.

Flexible working area plan drawing (door closed)

The separation between the flexible working area and the cafeteria.

Flexible working area (door opened)

The foldable door between the flexible working area and the cafeteria plays a significant role in this space. It divides the two rooms, facilitating their integration into one during special occasions. Within the flexible working area, foldable furniture enables versatile setups tailored to the size of each event, promoting unrestricted enjoyment of the space.

Flexible working area plan drawing (door opened)

The integration of the flexible working area and the cafeteria.

Reception

The reception is the first point of contact for the public at MAKER’S PLAYGROUND. Therefore, making this area vibrant and friendly for visitors is essential. Future makers can also gather residency-related information here.

Material library

Materials are one of the most crucial working tools for designers. This space serves as a place that assists makers in working efficiently while providing opportunities to acquire diverse knowledge, thereby training them to become unique designers. It is made up of materials with the support of external studios, offering regular updates, allowing makers to explore new resources.

Bookshop

The bookshop, next to the reception area, is curated with books related to design and art. Items can be ordered if you can’t find the book you desire, with makers receiving a 15% discount. Easy access to the library is facilitated through stairs and a platform lift, allowing visitors to enjoy a panoramic view of the library from the mezzanine.

Library physical model

Scale: 1:50

Model materials: Wood, Form sheet, Plaster, Acrylic sheet, Aluminium wire, Paper, Pipe, and Plastic board.

+ Idea expression

Cardboard physical model testing

Tracing paper layout testing

Kitchen/Flexible working area initial drawing

Library initial darwing

Seating working area initial drawing

Maker's Playground digital model