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MDes Interior Design School of Design

Archana Sivaprakash

Inspired heavily by the works of poetic architects like Peter Zumthor and Steven Holl, I’m strongly of the belief that human experience is the truest measure of quality architecture. I’ve always been, and continue to be, fascinated by the capabilities of the tangibles and intangibles of the built environments to manipulate and shape user experiences and emotions. Always driven by spatial narratives and experiential architecture, I strive to create designs that value the integrity of human experience.

Throughout my time at GSA, I have further explored this philosophy through projects that uncover the intricacies of built environments and craft emotionally resonant interiors.

Contact
archana.sivaprakash@gmail.com
A.Sivaprakash1@student.gsa.ac.uk
LinkedIn
Design Portfolio
Works
I Was Here: Interiors As Archives of Time
Replay: Pause. Rewind. Play. | A Nostalgic Reverie for Childhood

I Was Here: Interiors As Archives of Time

A Speculative Framework for an Emotionally Resonant Future of Interior Design

This thesis research revolves around an exploration of an alternate speculative language for futuristic interiors, investigating the cultural and psychological implications of its sterile aesthetics, as commonly depicted in visual media. It identifies the erasure of “time” and “traces” as the root cause for this emotional void, disconnecting the inhabitants of space from identity, memory, and belonging.

 

 

Drawing on theories of time, memory, and the innate human desire for belonging, this research proposes traces, both physical and digital, as a potential antidote to this trend of sterility. Utilizing speculative visualizations, it highlights how the interiors of the future can exist at the crossroad between technology and human presence. It attempts to demonstrate the potential of interior spaces that uphold and highlight human presence in creating emotionally resonant built environments. In doing so, it repositions the future of interiors not as pristine and untouched, but rather lived-in and human.

 

Project Links

Product Catalogue 1

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Product Catalogue 2

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Research Overview

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Potential Scenario 1

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Potential Scenario 2

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Visualization 1

To explore the practical application of the research, speculative visualizations were created that reimagines the futuristic interiors through the lens of the findings of the thesis. The common theme here is that the general aesthetic of futuristic interiors is preserved, and the interventions only act to enhance these spaces to make is more conducive to the condition of human existence.
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Visualization 2

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Visualization 3

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The Process and The Potential

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Augmented Reality - Scenario 1

When physical marks of use in space are supplemented by digital documentations of the memories associated with it, it imbibes value to it. This could then also be imagined to contribute to a heightened sense of connection to histories associated with our objects and spaces, which could potentially alter the present-day approach to erasing marks of presence in lieu of sterile spaces.
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Augmented Reality - Scenario 2

This AR tool becomes particularly beneficial in the following ways: Preservating memories in changing spaces, reinforcing emotional connection and belonging, serving as records of cultural and social histories, and encouraging slower consumption.
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The City of Forgotten Rooms

Weaving together the elements of physical traces like patina and wear with digital traces made visible through augmented reality tools, this research demonstrates that futuristic interiors don’t need to erase memory to serve as beacons of development but can instead act as vessels of it. The intention is not to prescribe a singular one-size-fits-all visual language, but rather to highlight a framework of possibilities, all rooted in the idea of interiors that accept imperfection, invite participation, and record the presence of their occupants across time. In doing so, they resist placelessness and the uncanny sterility that often accompanies these environments and sets the course for built spaces that exude warmth, identity, and belonging. Ultimately, this thesis reveals that traces anchor us to identity, history, and belonging - even in imagined futures. In the end, a meaningful future of design is not one that erases us, but one that remembers us.
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Replay: Pause. Rewind. Play. | A Nostalgic Reverie for Childhood

“Replay” uses notions of a third-place escape, reimagining the rich history of theatre in Glasgow through the lens of childhood, and transforming the space into an adaptable multi-cultural centre by day and event space by night. It leans into the playful reverie of childhood nostalgia to create a unique atmosphere that fosters social belonging.

By the day, this space would provide a stage for hosting community events and garnering the benefits of this social interaction to create catharsis. However, post work hours, it serves as an event arena with an atmosphere that transforms into one that emphasizes on the surrealist dreamscape aspect of the concept.

Project Links

Branding

The branding of “Replay” urges the occupants of the space to pause, take a minute to rewind and revisit the whimsical reverie of childhood, and utilize the space as a tool to escape the harsh realities of everyday life, gather, and engage in social play! The bold font of the signage derives from the existing eclectic and vivid character of façade signages on Sauchiehall Street, with nods to the historical art deco and nouveau influences, all while maintaining a sense of glee.
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Site Analysis

The site is located on the well-known Sauchiehall Street, nestled amidst an array of retail and hospitality typologies, from pubs to restaurants to shops. However, with many of the iconic spots being lost to the clutches of the COVID pandemic, the street is littered with underutilised vacant plots, altering its once iconic image. My design proposal this semester thus attempts at bringing back the energy into the streetscape through mindful identification of interior typology, façade treatment, and indoor-outdoor connectivity.
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Model Making Workshop

The model making workshop was utilised as an opportunity to further closely explore the materiality and visual character of the building, and to also understand the scale and volumes a bit closer.
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Childhood & Nostalgia

The nostalgia for childhood is universal. While the memories associated with it can vary with external factors related to the environments of upbringing, the essence of being a child curiously interacting with their world will always be universal. And there exists so much joy and entertainment to be discovered in the reverie for childhood. With the brief for the semester relating to the ever-evolving heritage, it seemed appropriate to focus on the vibrant heritage that grips each of our childhood in entirely unique ways. Given the multi-cultural population of Glasgow, there seemed to exist much potential in deriving entertainment through a shared cultural heritage, utilizing “nostalgia for childhood” as the shared link between the same.
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Floorplan

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Axonometric View

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Facade

Reimagining the rich history of theatre in Glasgow through the lens of childhood, the concept of a shadow puppet show came into play. Imagining the space and its activities as a ‘play’ of life, to then consider the street as a witness to it would be relevant. Thus, the façade was imagined to display glimpses of the interior activities, beckoning the passersby to gander in and explore the space.
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Elevation

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The Dollhouse

Being a community center based on the notions of a third-place escape, it was crucial for the spatial arrangement to respond the varying requirements of the users. This is achieved in the interiors by imagining the spatial configuration as a deconstructed dollhouse, one which the users intuitively interact with and customize to suit their requirements.
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Furniture Palette

The furniture in the space ranges from traditional and familiar forms to contemporary silhouettes and bold colors. This variety in forms, material, and color establishes an aura of playfulness and is reminiscent of the ordered chaos of the noncurated furniture that was commonly present in our childhood homes.
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Material Palette

The moodboard for the space takes inspiration from nostalgic materials and patterns to create a space that feels rooted in a sense of comfort and coziness. This is elevated through the introduction of contemporary finishes like chrome and stained wood that serves as a playful take on these familiar materials.
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Interior Section

With a space that has been designed to cater to a range of activities and varied number of users, it was important to create a distinction between zones without compromising on the sense of togetherness and resulting in isolated interaction booths. To tackle this, inspiration was derived from children’s theatre shows and the concept of layering that is present in the set design.
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The Atmosphere

A dynamic atmosphere that transforms across the times of day establishes an ever-evolving essence of excitement and playfulness.
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As the levels ascend, the scale towards the peak gets smaller and as a result intensifies the coziness within the interaction pods. By intentionally introducing softer furniture into space, it creates an escape for the users to tuck into and get comfortable.
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Same space being utilized by different number of people for varying functions across the day.
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Smell is an integral component of evoking memories. And indulgent treats and baked goods are something the child in us will always cherish. Combining the two, this kitchenette provides a space for the Community Centre to sell baked goods, the tantalizing smell of which not only wafts across the entire space due to its central zoning, but also serves to generate income.
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The retro aesthetic of the interaction space spills over into the visual character of the toilets as well. Bold patterns of handmade tiles line the walls and floor within the space, with an overall palette of pastel colors that emphasize the playfulness that is prevalent across the interiors.
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By the night, as the space evolves into an event arena, the podium evolves too to take the form of a viewing gallery.
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