intimacy centre
Location: Bristol
Type: Academic Project - 2020
This final university project focuses on the creation of a purposeful caring space for users to explore their intimacy in healthy ways.
Group Therapy Spaces alongside courtyard -
Design Process Diagrams -
The Intimacy Centre is designed with discretion in mind, with different possible flows for users utilizing various parts of the building. It also helps foster a healthier more acceptant sense of intimacy, by allowing some degree of transparency through the use of strategically placed courtyards, screens and staircases.
I believe it is important to consider spaces for the healing of intimacy the same way we would spaces for the healing of mental health in general, to be able to foster relationships built on intent and care.
Architects need to actively introduce sex and intimacy to the architectural debate. If brothels were to be legalised in the UK, it is imperative that designers allow for the healing of intimacy, and the creation of a safe, open and forgiving place. The Intimacy Centre acts as a Pilot scheme in which Bristol is the first city legalising public spaces for sex work: a space that breaks the taboo on tenderness.
Group Bathing Showers -
ISO intimacy room models -
Context Maquette -
The Intimacy Centre is a paradoxal space of healing for both the abuser and the abused. Moving beyond blame is paramount in understanding that all beings deserve healing, regardless of role.
Such ability is demonstrated though the use of both warm (timber, leather) and cold (steel and concrete) materials; thick opaque structure and ephemeral and transluscent play of screens and mesh.
The most intimate rooms themselves use water, screens, and vegetation as a way to increase playfulness and a healthy exploration of sensuality.
Ground Floor Plan, and WE Section -
Main Entrance View -