Name: Natalie McKeon
Program: Master of Design (Sustainable Design)
Project: Movable Community Seating Proposal for UCITY Community Precinct
Statement: Observation and discussion with stakeholders identified that a lack of casual seating in the precinct diminished opportunities for pause and engagement. The focus on seating led to research into universal design, the architecture of care, and movability and choice. The UCITY model of a “vertical” community prompted the idea of a “community” of forms that offered flexibility and choice. Flexibility and choice can engender longer use periods and more engagement, thus supporting social and environmental goals. An interrogation of the ergonomics of seating to suit stakeholders – older persons, differently-abled persons and able persons – was necessary. This research justified the concept of a variety of different forms to keep multiple stakeholders comfortable and makes it more likely that they may stay in the precinct. Timber was chosen as the primary material for its warmth and tactility – a welcome contrast to the hard, urban environment.
Program: Master of Design (Sustainable Design)
Project: Movable Community Seating Proposal for UCITY Community Precinct
Statement: Observation and discussion with stakeholders identified that a lack of casual seating in the precinct diminished opportunities for pause and engagement. The focus on seating led to research into universal design, the architecture of care, and movability and choice. The UCITY model of a “vertical” community prompted the idea of a “community” of forms that offered flexibility and choice. Flexibility and choice can engender longer use periods and more engagement, thus supporting social and environmental goals. An interrogation of the ergonomics of seating to suit stakeholders – older persons, differently-abled persons and able persons – was necessary. This research justified the concept of a variety of different forms to keep multiple stakeholders comfortable and makes it more likely that they may stay in the precinct. Timber was chosen as the primary material for its warmth and tactility – a welcome contrast to the hard, urban environment.