Press
Play at the Playtower by Kristiana Genca
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Play at the Playtower is a project that aims to reawaken the fading charm of a Grade II-listed historic structure by exploring the future of the working environment.
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Inspired by the changes brought by Covid-19, this project explores how work and private life can coexist in the same space.
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As a response, a multi-functional sports centre and co-working space for parents have been integrated into a former bathhouse that has been neglected for the past 20 years.
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In addition to the restoration of the old building, new extensions have been added to include a tennis court on existing foundations and half-sunken co-working pods. The pods are placed carefully between mature trees to avoid damaging the existing ecology of the site.
ARCHITECTS JOURNAL | AJ Student prize 2023 | 12 October 2023
Ravensbourne University London
Department of Architecture and Interiors
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Undergraduate
Kristiana Genca
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Course BA (Hons): Architecture
Studio/unit brief: Future Ecologies
Project title: Play at the Playtower
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Project description: Once Ladywell Playtower was a public baths but over 20 years the Victorian building has been left neglected. Play at the Playtower aims to reawaken the listed iconic structure's charm by exploring the future of work. It explores how work and private life can co-exist, proposing a multi-facility sports centre and range of co-working spaces that provide for working parents and their children. As well as restoring the existing building, the scheme adds new extensions without disrupting the existing street facade. A tennis court is placed at the building's rear, while co-working pods half sunken into the ground of the garden are placed in spaces between mature trees.
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Tutor citation: Kristiana's project is highly relevant to the challenges of reusing disused buildings that hold local affection, as well as addressing the need of working parents and their children. Her work consistently shows a high level of care and attention. Polina Pencheva, Hwei Fan Liang