COM. - RSA Student Design Awards
Transformation Station - Brief 2
COM. is a unique hub located in Ashurst in the Ashurst New Forest station car park. This conversation starter evokes a sense of positivity and togetherness with its bright colours and seating areas.
After conducting primary research in the local Ashurst community, the need for connection and encouraged conversation was apparent. With Ashurst village having no local community spaces and an older average population, an open space for the community to build connections and evoke positivity is vital.
I wanted to fully immerse myself in the local area to find out how they lived and connected. I began by contacting the local community website and sending out a survey to the people of Ashurst and surrounding areas. Visiting the station myself many times, conducting site observation exercises, and creating footfall maps, I discovered like many train stations, Ashurst is unrepresented within its community with the station being a means to get from A to B.
It was crucial to me and the brief that sustainable materials were considered when creating this modular unit. I also wanted to include local materials where possible.
Over view of COM. in the car park.
Situated in the car park, consisting of 3 modular units as provided, COM’s proposed mission is to create conversation and evoke positivity in the local community. This is a unit not just for commuters but for the whole community of Ashurst. Subverting what they would usually associate with waiting for a train by creating this conversation starter.
Community Stories:
Using pressurised plates the section of the hub is an interactive story telling area. When people stand or sit on the yellow plates shown it activates a story to be told through a speaker on the TV on the right. The TV also has subtitles and an option to change the story being told.
Train Lines:
When at the station it was interesting to look at the lines and colour around the place and yellow was a prominent colour, with connotation of transport. So I played on that idea creating this pattern on the floor in the modular unit.
Converstation Seats:
For the third unit I created these organic shaped benches placed in a circle to create a space for conversation. The benches are a fun conversation point and are unique to the area.
This project was a great opportunity for me to learn how to use Blender as the brief recommended creating a 3D design. I was keen to take on this challenge and have been able to grow and enjoy using this software. I now feel confident using this programming and am keen to utilise these skills.
