This project began by identifying a group of people who have been
disproportionally impacted by Covid-19 and design a housing community which
explores and addresses their specific experiences of exclusion.
The project takes you to China, where we have chosen to focus on the home students living in the University dormitories and are struggling with their mental health. The project analyses how and why these students have been disproportionally impacted by Covid-19, and looks at ways in which their mental health can be improved.
A comparison was first made between university halls/ dormitories in the UK & in China. Preceding research made it evident that within halls of residency in the United Kingdom emphasis is given to achieving the desirable balance of private and public. Students are provided with single rooms that may not be the most luxurious but spacious and comfortable enough. On the other hand, public spaces are usually made to be “more luxurious” and able to host a significant number of residents. In China however, dormitory rooms are shared among 4-8 students; meaning there is no sense of privacy. Similarly, the extremely high density of occupancy overcrowds any sort of public space available further impacting the availability of privacy of the residents.
The proposed scheme aims for the betterment of mental health for the individual by providing a multi-
functional environment; a hybrid space that provides both privacy and areas of interaction.
Communal spaces have been designed to serve all aspects of student well-being and safeguard
them.
The three key design principles used to achieve the above are:
- Special arrangement of dormitory rooms, individual & communal spaces
- Promote a healthy environment for the students’ well-being
- Create a layout that allows the occupants not to feel restricted.
Athena Pantazis & Yanran Ma (Rayen)