Savoy Community Project

POP UP CULTURE!

My proposal is to create a space at the heart of the Savoy Centre that embraces the unique and diverse culture that the centre has to offer. A space to socialise and meet other people, a space for enterprise to find out about starting your own business and a space that provides information to help you navigate the space but also to let you know what is on offer at the Savoy.

With so many vacant lots within the Savoy centre, I want to suggest ways that these spaces can be used to add to the diversity of the Savoy centre, increase footfall and encourage independent retailing. The ‘Savoy Community’ would act as a base for a hub of exciting retailing opportunities, as well as opportunities for other specialist projects to operate within these small units, such as pop up galleries, live studio spaces etc.

           

Times are changing, and if new products can come and go, why can't the stores that display them do the same? The idea of the ‘pop up shop’ is a growing trend, with gallery like shopping spaces, one off exhibitions and mobile selling units appearing then disappearing in as little as one week. A space like the Savoy Centre, offers the consumer an alternative to big brand high street shopping and faceless internet buying and so a project like this creates a unique opportunity to bring people of all walks of life under one roof, within an already well established Glasgow institution.

With so many ready-to-go vacant shopping units, The Savoy Centre is in the perfect position to offer budding entrepreneurs, artists, designers and more to showcase what they have to offer.

Low rental costs and the temporary nature of the idea means that it is a simple and do-able project.  Selling straight out of the box, no frills required. New faces would pop up unannounced, quickly draw in the crowds and then disappear or morph into something else adding a fresh and dynamic feel to the Savoy Centre without destroying the very essence that makes it unique.

It's all about surprising consumers with temporary 'performances', guaranteeing exclusivity because of the limited time span. It's about buzz, and about trying out new things. It provides visibility for independent retailers (and could even act as a physical base for e-traders) and allows young artists and designers to enter uncharted markets on the cheap!

A pop up shop could be ANYTHING. A pop up nail bar, pop up hair salon, masseuse, jewellery seller, fashion designer, cake stall, swap shop, artists studio, pottery shop. ANYTHING.

'Community' proposal

Proposal for 'Community', a space at the heart of The Savoy Centre, for information, enterprise and socialising.

 

 

savoy centre

 

 

Design Theory 'Culture'

A cross disciplinary project exploring the eclectic expression of culture as found in three distinct environments within the city-
-the Burrell Collection
-the Barrowlands
-the Savoy Centre
Employing the notion of the three fold present, the ability to use the past, in the present to anticipate the future- groups are asked to consider the exchange of specialist design knowledge as a tool for exploring the historic and contemporary artefacts that constitute each place- its objects, signs, buildings, systems and typology- and use the result of such exploration to inform a designed response to that place.

Research images for given location, the Savoy Centre, building and interior detailing

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aims

To provide new oppurtunities not previously available in retirement projects. Luxury living in an urban setting, with all the comfort and convenience of a hotel, a space where residents feel secure and safe but can also interact with the wider community. To create a unique sense of community, with social spaces, communal facilities, strong transport links and close proximity to the city. 

Initial bedroom idea:

 

future ageing

it's taking me far too long to get into this project, little inspiration and huge life distractions are getting me down.
anyway, this is what i have started on...
I feel it's important to create a real sense of community within a retirement 'complex'. Passive spaces should be utilised to allow for natural human interaction, a place to sit and chat, to pause and catch up. For this reason i have started with the lobby and laundrette area, thinking about warm natural and inviting materials. I'll be using a lot of timber in this design, concete and stone too. All too often retirement living feels like a hospital, with shiny surfaces, plastic and cold metals. Using wood and stone will give a very natural aesthetic to the space but also stimulate the senses with varying textures, smells and colour.