CRADLE ROOM

competition entry for an interior room

in collaboration with Amanda Lau
2024, DEZEEN X MARMOLEUM DESIGN CHALLENGE

Cradle Room

How does an internal space be designed to nurture our well-being and offer sanctuary of respite from the continuous agitations of daily life?

In the embrace of nature’s tranquility, people find solace and refuge from life’s tumultuous waves. By creating calming and relaxing environment that fosters connection to the natural world, our space offers much-needed retreat from the hectic pace of modern life.

In our room, one enters a space that feels like an outdoor room connected to the ever-changing beauty of nature. It champions all the beauty nature has to offer, from the swaying of leaves to the movement of clouds and the light bathing the space. The room invites occupants to pause, breathe, and find peace amidst the chaos.

A closer look reveals a glass dome thinly separating the outdoor and indoor. The dome skylight above not only bathes the room in natural sunlight but also acts as portal to the outside world, allowing occupants to feel connected to the ever-changing beauty of nature while remaining sheltered from its elements. As the sun arcs across the sky, its warm rays filter through the skylight, casting ever-changing patterns of light and shadow in the room below.

As the eye draws its way down, one notices the striation of colours echoing contours of our earth’s natural landscape. The colors of nature possess remarkable ability to quiet the mind and soothe the soul, providing sanctuary where worries fade and serenity reigns. Amidst symphony of nature’s palette, individuals discover profound sense of stillness and rejuvenation, reminding them of timeless connection between humanity and the earth.

The upper walls are lined in furniture linoleum, colours chosen for the room draw inspiration from the natural landscape, evoking feelings of peace and connection to the earth. Colours like Mushroom, Pearl, Powder, Lilac, Blue Ice, Sirius and Petrol. From the warm glows echoing the essence of golden sunset to the soft hues of blue reminiscent of calm waters, each shade serves to enhance the overall sense of tranquility and well-being within the space.

Meticulously crafted, free from hard edges, and cocooned in the soft embrace of linoleum, this space was envisioned as refuge, embracing the diverse needs of all who enter. At its heart, a circle — 1.5 meters in diameter, maneuverable by one in wheelchair, the space serves as welcoming oasis accessible to all.

As the day transitions into night, recessed light strips illuminate the space, accentuating its gentle curves and enveloping occupants in a sense of security and warmth. This ambiance encourages visitors to feel relaxed and at ease. The bowl-shaped design of the room invokes comforting sense of familiarity, evoking cherished memories of childhood. Whether curled up with a book or simply gazing out at the natural beauty beyond, individuals find themselves transported to a place of serenity.

Designed with intent on human needs, well-being, connection to nature and nurturing care, the room reminds of the comforting embrace of our earlier memories of the cradle, thus the name of this space the Cradle Room.

BRICK AND GILD

also known as 8 POINT STREET
unbuilt approved mixed use development of apartments, commercial and hotel

in association under Philip Stejskal Architecture
2020, FREMANTLE

Developer: SKS Group

$45 million proposal by SKS Group involves the partial retention of the existing Point Street car park with north of the site faces Princess May Park. The site was developed to be a seven storey Doubletree by Hilton hotel with 168 rooms and a ground floor restaurant, as well as seven storey residential building comprising 45 apartments, a common area gym, 72 car bays and an internal courtyard, as well as ground floor retail and office space.

Taking cues from the material context of the site, the golden glazing and cream concrete of Doubletree hotel references the limestone heritage of old Fremantle Boys’ School north of the site whilst the southwest apartments of red terracotta cladding and concrete frame reinterprets the brick material of Woolstores. The facades are detailed with tailored sunshading of timber screening, perforated metal, window boxes and concrete frame depending on orientation.

The ground plane is activated with hotel restaurant and shopfronts, and northern amenities for the hotel and residents, with a courtyard for relief of the building mass.