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Islington’s Living Rooms explores feminist theory within architectural design. It proposes a live/work scheme dedicated to craft education for the Islington Community, the ‘Islington Public Craft Studios’. The heart of the building is an interpretation of the Georgian terrace house; a space where female and gender-diverse craftspeople undertake a short-term residency. Surrounding the house is a third space for those that wish to engage in crafts, reading or simply have a second living room.
Islington’s Living Rooms collects elements of theory and refocuses them through the lens of the ‘façade’; a domain that is traditionally treated as male territory within architectural practice. The project utilises not just the design application of these theories, but also their role as tools to analyse the public environment’s relationship with women, children, and gender-diverse people.
Models, photography, and participatory research create accessible architectural manifestations for those who are not considered a part of the architectural industry. The expression and visual qualities of “feeling and atmosphere” is prioritised to create visualisations that reflect experience.
Crafted materiality is explored to elicit feelings of intimacy and ambience in public space. Where second hand furniture is used to emanate the idea of home and ownership, the living room becomes an extension of public space.
Each piece of wall is individually cast from old clothing, exploring methods of utilising household textile waste. The resulting wall is very rigid but has the appearance of a construction that looks much more delicate than it is.
As you enter the building you are greeted with the front elevation of the house before entering the main body of the building. Constant movement between complete enclosure to exposed boundaries blurs the lines between public and private.
A tufting wall connects the living room to the main hallway – a small nook dually used by a professional and amateur. Taking from London’s historically bricked-out windows; this window holds a working textile piece rather than a piece of glazing.
The passages play between resembling the domestic hallway to the pavement. Glazed flooring is used to move light vertically; as an extension of a person. It applies the ideas of public safety, but also emphasises connection and communal presence.