MSA Stage 4 School of Architecture
Jidapa Pupunwiwat
RE-HUB
RE-HUB is a project designed to enrich engagement and social interaction within the community of Thornwood and the people of Glasgow. It consists of a flexible space for workshops, reading, working, gatherings, and exhibiting. The urban building functions as a venue where people from any generation and ethnic background gather to interact through knowledge and skills-sharing activities centred around the overarching concept of ‘RE’; REPAIR, RECYCLE, REUTILISE, and REGENERATION; to expand a lifespan of things such as broken household items and material found in the area that can be upcycled for example furniture, clothing, and ceramic. Also, the programme aims to close the gap of generation whilst fostering a sense of inclusivity and diversity. Moreover, its goal is to enhance job opportunities in the deprived area of Thornwood, by inspiring people to explore the art of crafting through acquiring skills and knowledge from one another. Their work can be taken home, sold, or displayed for sale at the hub.
Urban Strategy Integration | The new green path runs on top of the hill and the retaining wall is a continuity of the green belt from the group’s proposal that runs from the North to the South of Thornwood and connects with the new green bridge crossing the Dumbarton Road from the Thornwood Park to the gap in between the police station and the tenements. It aims to connect the disconnected areas, increase biodiversity in the area, utilise underused green space, and improve and prioritise the use of roads for pedestrians and cyclists. Partick Power Substation opposite the hub will be redeveloped into a ‘Renewable Energy Hub and Park’. This development aims to increase biodiversity whilst generating a clean energy and water supply for the neighbourhood through means such as solar power, rainwater harvesting, and SUDS ponds. Moreover, is planned to develop a sustainable operation to provide a singular central heating source that will distribute hot water through a network of insulated pipes to the entire neighbourhood; creating a District Cooling and Heating System.
Urban Housing
We are moving toward an ‘Aged Society’, where people live longer lives due to improved healthcare. With advanced age, people are more likely to live alone, often in poorer housing condition compared to the general population. Many elderly individuals live on lower incomes and spend most of their time at home, dealing with long-term physical or mental health conditions.
According to Grundy et al. (2007, p.3), the majority of older people who have had an interaction with family and friends do not experience serious disability and lead fulfilling lives. This emphasises the importance of social engagement in preventing loneliness and maintaining mental well-being, which in turn influences physical health.
In response, I propose a new built mixed tenants social housing that fosters inclusivity for every user including the elderly and accessible. The design challenge of the project is the integration of an interlocking idea with the tenement housing prototype. The housing complex consists of 30 units, offering 7 configurations with 3 types of duplexes and 4 types of simplexes: including 2, 3, and 4-bedroom flats. The design is considered of accessibility, well-being, social activity, and safety. The ramp runs along the side to the back of the building to provide an alternative entrance to the ground floor. The winter garden on the south-facing facade is designed to improve indoor thermal comfort and serve as a space for resident interaction. A community hub is provided to be managed by an elderly resident. It aims to extend the social fabric into the broader Thornwood community. This holistic approach seeks to foster an environment that promotes active living for everyone, not just retirees, thereby enhancing both mental and physical health.
