Psycho-geography analysis of the site
The Cathays Campus of Cardiff University was used as the research site for this study. The study used observation, prototyping, and workshops as the main methods. For instance, asking some interested students to participate in building the cardboard models and placing the cardboard model sets in the library to collect student feedback.
Cards with individual creations combined at different scales to create a space (right)
as a model for recreational toys (1:1), furniture (1:10) and personal spaces (1:20) to be used in interior spaces
Design Proposal
More and more people are facing social problems which may limit their future development. This is because the role of socialisation in the learning process is very important (Reed, Evely, Cundill, Fazey, Glass, Laing, Newig, Parrish, Prell, Raymond and Stringer, 2010), offering the possibility of change through different perspectives and helping to refine an individual’s world view. There is therefore a need to rethink the role of existing learning spaces in enabling and supporting social interactions to develop a lively academic community. Choice and flexibility are important to students to develop a sense of belonging, which is key for student retention and success. It is the human side of higher education that comes first – that is the necessary starting point for academic success (Thomas, 2012). Existing learning spaces are having difficulty providing individuals with a sufficient sense of belonging, as it is difficult for them to express themselves in existing public learning spaces according to their personal preferences and ad hoc needs. For example, during a protest at Cardiff University four years ago, they resorted to painting graffiti in a historic building to express their protest against the authority. This ended with the organisers issuing a public apology. Reflecting on the existing campus space, this design research project aims to help students to have freedom of control and self-expression in university spaces.
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About me
I am Fangyi Ke and I am a postgraduate student majoring in Architectural Design. I believe that architecture is the art and science of ensuring that our cities and buildings are compatible with the way we want to live. Because art can make architecture more alive and creative.
Therefore, I try to think in terms of art and architecture combine art and design with other humanities disciplines such as sociology and psychology to investigate and redesign existing learning spaces to create better places for all of us.
E-mail: KeF@cardiff.ac.uk