Noesis. Interactive Museum

Student: Eirini Krasaki
Design Tutors: Esther Rivas Adrover, Oliver Houchell
School of Architecture Computing and Engineering (ACE), University of East London
Presentation Date : 30 May 2012

Short Description: This project is about the regeneration of a neglected seaside area at the South of United Kingdom.  The area is characterised by its' rich ship building tradition and its' natural elements.  Objective of this project is to synthesise the existing characteristics of the area and create a landmark that will regenerate the harbour.

Poole harbour is a natural harbour with unlimited natural elements and rich ship building tradition.  My personal appreciation of the beauty and diversity of the landscape had led my design.

Walking along the harbour you realize the numerous social, cultural and economical differences of the three seaside areas that develop around it: Sandbanks, the old town of Poole and Hamworhty. Sandbanks is located at the eastern part of the harbour and is listed among the wealthier areas of United Kingdom. It is characterised by contemporary seaside villas that are used as vacation residences for wealthy families. Continuing westwards we find the historic centre of Poole. It is characterised by traditional three storey buildings, alleys, museums, shipyards that celebrate the ship building tradition of the area. Hamworthy is located westwards of Poole. It is listed among the most deprived areas of United Kingdom. It is characterised by traditional housing, crime and lack of education.

The study area of this project is the port, the "in between space" among the historic city of Poole and the deprived area of Hamworthy.

The intention of this project is the creation of a landmark that will eliminate the social differences of the harbour; bridge the different communities, form the focal point of the area, provide a space of education and exchange of ideas.

The geometries of this landmark are highly influenced by the ship tradition of the harbour. The proposed geometries follow a grid based on the views and movement around the harbour. The interactive museum invites the public to explore the main 'ingredients 'of the area: light, sand and water through a different and holistic perspective.

The interactive museum is partly erected on land and partly erected on water. It resembles a group of ships tied to the port. It consists of four volumes. Each of the three is dedicated to the exploration of sand light and water. The fourth volume is a research centre that examines alternative ways of using those natural elements.

The building that is dedicated to the exploration of light offers spaces and devices that explore natural and artificial light, the difference of light and shadow.  The' water building' gives to the visitors the opportunity to explore unknown aspects of water. The 'sand building' offers different perspectives of sand and its' use on the sciences.

Significant element of the museum complex is the public space. It is the space that invites all the different groups of people that live around the harbour, encourages the interaction, the discussion, and the exchange of ideas.  Each of the four building has a public space. All four spaces are connected through promenades and can be used independently from the museum complex.

Another significant element of the museum is the promenade. The landscape invites the visitors from the old town of Poole and Hamworthy towards the port. The landscape develops to a promenade which continues to the interior of the complex. The promenade is gradually elevating from the ground level and forms suspended walkways offering to the visitors a variety of views of the interior space and the harbour.

The museum forms a catalyst for the regeneration of the area, a landmark that will eliminate the social differences and educate the different groups of people.