MSA Stage 4 School of Architecture
Jere Suominen
Urban Building – Ode to Movement
POSITION STATEMENT
Glasgow’s challenging health landscape is reflected by the worst life expectancy in Scotland. While not fixing the fundamental issues, increasing physical activity is the cheapest and easiest way to reduce individuals’ stress levels and improve physical and mental health. Furthermore, UNESCO states that opportunities for physical activity and sports is a fundamental human right, underlining the importance of making such resources widely available.
However, opportunities for physical activity in Thornwood are sparsely available and very limited in function, especially for those most affected by cost-of-living crisis. This new Thornwood Sports Hub seeks to provide people opportunities for improving physical health regardless of financial status or background, thus contributing to a healthier and more
equitable community.
The scheme aims to maximize inclusivity by offering multiple different sports functions, allowing spaces to be adapted to the community’s needs and desires. For those who are interested in sports but are not able to participate, the hub also includes a main social space, where people can gather to watch sports events on a big screen or organize talks and presentations for wider audience. The building form is
centered around the concept of movement, with a running track ramping up the building, and a all-year-round ski slope flowing down it.
The landscape strategy is a physical continuation of the urban green belt proposed in the urban strategy, through a pathway connecting the main green belt to a site-specific park that also functions as a running track, simultaneously improving the area’s biodiversity while
encouraging physical activity.
The Sports Hub features a sports equipment repair workshop, where disused or broken sports equipment can be repaired and repurposed, extending their life-cycle through resale or a rental service within the Hub. The generated revenue can be used for sports courses and events organized by the Hub, contributing to the wider community.
Project Links
Urban Housing – Living in Agreement with Nature
POSITION STATEMENT
The Urban Strategy focuses on biodiversity, landscape and amenities in
Thornwood. We research for it concluded that green spaces in Thornwood are widely disconnected, lacking meaningful purpose, while the amenities solely
focus on Dumbarton Road. My chosen site, Thornwood Quadrant, currently
consists of small studio flats with little opportunity for social interaction. The green spaces on the site lack purpose, and clear distinction between public and private space. The Woodland could play the role of purposeful green space, but it is disconnected from the site via a wall, and is largely unmaintained.
As a response, my concept explores how us humans can live in agreement with nature by extending the Woodland into the site, turning the resulting ensemble into one mutually beneficial ecosystem. A clearly defined public nature trail navigates through the site, connecting the heart of Woodland to Thornwood, while the new-build design encloses two spaces into more private natural
environments. The landscape design fosters a habitat for targeted endangered Scottish species. Consequently, these habitat implementations are useful for
humans too, with ponds providing sustainable drainage, berries and herbs giving a delicious self-sustaining source for fresh food, and selected greenery creating an inviting natural environment for animals and humans alike.
The retrofit strategy converts some ground floor flats into flexible communal spaces, while additional flats are added by varying upward building extensions, forming stepped rooftop terraces for social opportunities. The new-builds also adopt the idea of stepped design. Through social roofotps and strategically placed balconies, the scheme consists of multiple options for social
engagement. The ground floor is reserved for bike storages and adaptable amenity spaces, addressing the lack of amenities outside of Dumbarton Road, and promoting cycling within the area. To accomodate working from home, each flat includes generous office spaces, closely connected to a green
breakout space with socializing opportunities
The combination of log structure and timber frame offers a durable, recyclable, and low-carbon material ensemble that communicates the site’s relationship with natural environment. While log walls excel in low operational carbon and enhance residents’ physical and mental health, an implemented ground floor workshop space addresses its’ comparatively high maintenance needs by promoting material awareness – but can also be used to repair bikes and furniture.
