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Sumit Singhal
Sumit Singhal loves modern architecture. He comes from a family of builders who have built more than 20 projects in the last ten years near Delhi in India. He has recently started writing about the architectural projects that catch his imagination. Everton Well-being Centre in Scarborough, England by Studio Maurice ShaperoFebruary 21st, 2015 by Sumit Singhal
Article source: Studio Maurice Shapero The idea is to address the duality of an open community building with the introverted / confidential nature of a Doctors practice. The triangular form is open at each end, but closed along its length. Extrusions are inherently both open and closed. Each end contains public halls with out door rooms (open) and the central area the surgeries (closed). The West end is open to St Anthony’s façade with an outdoor room for waiting and contemplation. This building is a long roof………everyone, both patients and doctors, under the same roof.  Image Courtesy © Studio Maurice Shapero
 Image Courtesy © Studio Maurice Shapero There is a shift in the geometries from upper to lower. The triangular form aligns symmetrically with St Anthony’s Church – its axis runs at a slight angle to the site and urban grid. The lower space aligns with the ground or urban grid. The lower is open and will spread out into the landscape connected to gardens, the upper is closed, private, confidential. A wall following the geometry of the urban grid cuts up and into the bottom of the triangular form, this is how you get in. A stair or lift bring you up into the centre of the triangle facing the beautiful facade of St Anthony’s Church.  Image Courtesy © Studio Maurice Shapero I saw a beautiful timber structure in Scarborough, basically a traditional barn. It’s very easy to see how this ancient form could work with the ideas I’ve been developing for Everton Wellbeing Centre.  Image Courtesy © Studio Maurice Shapero What would a life enhancing space contain? In essence, but not functionally, parallels can be drawn between the church building. This archetype traditionally sits at the centre of a community both physically and philosophically. The church in the village I live in completes the design and without it there would be no centre. The spire can be seen from everywhere. Hence the alignment with St Anthony’s Church – its form looms announcing an omnipotent presence.  Image Courtesy © Studio Maurice Shapero I should add at this point I’m not at all religious, but open to the possibilities or purpose of religion in creating a sense of well being. If I conveniently ignore the political and cultural power structures which fuel the religious organisation, at its core spirituality is about peace, peace of mind – which, in my experience, relaxes the body and strengthens the immune system. This coupled with nourishing nutrition and consistent movement is the base of ‘well being’.  Image Courtesy © Studio Maurice Shapero I know someone with two degrees from Oxford, who has concluded from years of research and travel all over the world studying the health systems of Russia, japan, India and America – the bases of a clear mind is nutrition, the benefits to the body being easier to understand.  Image Courtesy © Studio Maurice Shapero Sound and music will be a part of this project. The acoustics of the space will elicit a particular feeling, think of how churches sound. Not that this building should sound like a church, but it should have its own resonance. Think of a band stand in a park, or church bells. A new sound for a centre of health? A multifunctional space, indoor and out door for concerts or health giving music lessons. Music and well being go together.  Image Courtesy © Studio Maurice Shapero Reading, communal and alone. This is a building in a park or large garden. A park with lots of pockets for reading and contemplation. Small pavilions or shelters. Under a tree.  Image Courtesy © Studio Maurice Shapero The park, or large garden around the building would encourage movement. A path around the grounds for people to strole, it may undulate in and out of the building, the yellow bick road, but not literally, doctors replace wizards. The space around the building becomes the waiting room. Find a technology which liberates the waiting from the waiting room.  Image Courtesy © Studio Maurice Shapero  Image Courtesy © Studio Maurice Shapero  Image Courtesy © Studio Maurice Shapero  Image Courtesy © Studio Maurice Shapero  Image Courtesy © Studio Maurice Shapero  Image Courtesy © Studio Maurice Shapero  Image Courtesy © Studio Maurice Shapero  Image Courtesy © Studio Maurice Shapero  Image Courtesy © Studio Maurice Shapero  Image Courtesy © Studio Maurice Shapero
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Tags: England, Scarborough Category: Wellness Center |
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