keyspace2: THE REFUGE

The Refuge

The refuge is a space for visitors to have a moment of privacy and clam amidst the activeness and vibrancy in the site. It's a space that feels damp and comforting through the soft tactile nature as well as the darkness and depth of the purple joinery.

There are three refuge rooms across the site, all stemming from the staircase and each having a unique view. Travel up to the refuge to read a book from the public library exchange, do a bit of work or just enjoy a cup of coffee while looking into the gymnasium, the artwork production areas or the Sydney Harbour.

PAUSE

It's often hard to find a place for a moment alone in a civic space. In a highly active space like PLAY, it's important for ones emotional health to have a place where reflection and pause is encouraged.

The refuge not only acts as a space for mental and emotional healing, its bright exterior intrigues users to travel up the staircase to explore what it is. This provides another incentive for visitors to get their body moving throughout the site.

A public library exchange is also involved in the spatial experience as a way to expand on the sense of community in PLAY. Reading a book that you would not normally pick up can exercise your mental health by expanding your thinking.

Process + Research Gallery

Form Conceptual Model

The insporation of the refuge came from the knots commonly seen tied in aerial silks. It is a metaphor for the stablisation and reassurance felt in sablising knots when performing on the silks, to the safety and calm you feel inside this space.

Colour Justification

A warm purple connotes feelings of trust, safety, wellbeing and warmth. The darkness of the colour also enforces privacy when applied, thus using purple in the refuge furthers a sense of calm and pause.

Stablisation Process 1

Stablisation Process 1

Final Stablisation Diagram

Existing Building

Example of the crossed steel structure consistent in the existing architecture

Form Conceptual Model

Colour Justification

Stablisation Process 1

Stablisation Process 1

Refuge from Gymasium Floor

The refuge apears as a floating pod off the side of the staircase. With no entry points visible, it's clear that the only point of entry would be found from the stair.

Refuge Interior

The refuge is a private and dim space with expandable table/backrests avaliable from a push. It also involves a public book exchange system aimed to benefit ones mental health through expanding on literature knowledge.

Refuge from Gymasium Floor

The refuge apears as a floating pod off the side of the staircase. With no entry points visible, it's clear that the only point of entry would be found from the stair.

Refuge Interior

PAUSE

Material Palette

5mm thick pile plush velour warm purple carpet

12mm Grade A Laminated safety glass in purple pink

Plush purple velvet curtains with minimal transparency

Purple LED Strip lights recessed into window and bottom side of floor.

Books from literature exchange: learn about different languages, cuisines, sports etc.

Interactive Lighting Detail

The lighting surrounding the window sill has a metal flap that can be adjusted to dictate the amount of light flowing into the space or out the window.

For users who need a darker space to rest, they can alter the light to their preference and those who require more light for reading can also adjust accordingly.

Refuge Joinery Diagram

The Bookshelf window seat has push to open mechanism that ejects a backrest + mini table for users to use. This user defined joinery allows visitors to choose their preferred way to relax and pause in the refuge.

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