Located in the heart of Nottingham is Castle Rock – upon which Nottingham Castle is built. The Castle is a focal point of Nottingham surrounded by local amenities yet isolated from the rest of Nottingham. Upon visiting the site I was almost intimidated by its dominance but at the same time, it felt lifeless in comparison as to what it would have once represented due to the nature of it acting as a tourist attraction. Using the idea of the Castle once used as a place of refuge in the past and facing what it had become, I derived the concept of Control & Freedom. It presented itself to me as the perfect opportunity to introduce a Rehabilitation Centre which will liberate those who need it most, in Nottingham.
The architecture is designed to control the routes visitors will take on their journey throughout the building in a way which will allow them to react and respond with the architecture to free themselves.
The visitor (patient) is welcomed by what seems like 2 blank walls representing canvases and a clean slate, along with an outdoor viewing platform allowing them to pursue a fresh start to life. Entering the building, they pass through a warm reception featuring long plain walls illuminated at the other end to invite them further into the liberation process. The visitor passes down a flight of stairs to enter the Synapsing Observatory. The change in level allows them to feel detached from everything else and take an intimate stroll along both lengths of the observatory where they can enjoy unparalleled views out around Nottingham. The idea was to trigger synapse reactions in their brain which would instigate the feeling of nostalgia in order to then align their thoughts in a way which can be analysed in the Archive Area.
The intermediate step in the process is the Reading Room where the visitor is able to read about those things which interest them, along with producing works of art – be it a drawing, a painting or even poetry allowing them to completely express what is going on in their mind. Between the Reading Room and the Archive Area is a Games/Lounging Room which enables the visitor to enjoy themselves and relax their mind.
Finally, the Archive Area allows for analysis of the activities and works produced by the visitor. This information is then shared with them either individually or alongside family members or those who care for them. Counselling is offered as a means to disassociate the visitor from their fears or any negativity detected from the process. The client walks away with freedom they never knew they had.
People who need rehabilitation don’t feel free. I wanted to put a contemporary spin of freedom on the Castle. It would become a place of freedom for its visitors where they would express themselves in whichever way suits them best – eventually allowing them to receive help without feeling intimidated, using architecture as the helping hand.
