Public Design Project

Public design project brief was to design an educational facility for the client Hereford School of Art and decide on the user demographic and educational aim of establishment according to town contexts and wider cultural contexts. Monmouth School of Contemporary Design is a design college offering higher education courses for adults (18+). Through the foundations of Welsh heritage of crafting and making, innovative design teaching and production that suits contemporary needs and solves current challenges.

The campus lies across the river Wye. The right side sits the main campus, further south of Wye bridge, and the Student’s Union + Library towards the north of the bridge. On the left side of the river, there is the exhibition and shop, with a cafe attached. There is a footbridge that connects the Student’s Union and Exhibition building.

The main design feature, the entrance atrium inspired by Lina Bo Bardi’s Restaurante Do Coaty, illuminates through the cascading roof light, broken up by layers of different size ceiling openings, the light also enhances the ridges of the walls, highlighting the organic materiality of the space. The design of the scheme mixes the organic forms from the plants trees and use of rough materials such as concrete, with the classical style demonstrated in the arches and regular arrangement of spaces and also the contemporary design approach of the studio area. Design aims for this project were to provide facilities for young adults that live in Monmouth and encourage other young adults to move into the area. To further the educational excellence legacy of the town and cement the positive impressions regarding it. To revive access and pedestrian use around the river, connect the two sides of the town and encourage the exploration of the riverside. To enhance activities happening at the river; such as rowing, by including the design into the atmosphere.