Further Development of Design

The previous phase of design saw the definition of space and elements of symbolical intent been conceived in the design. I thought that it was quite successful, but it did not offer many potential views of Christ the Redeemer, it did not provide a successful circulation pattern and it lacked a sense of femininity. I also decided to make the ritual centre a exclusive place for a woman instead of women in the same situation.

Thinking about the motive for the woman to go through the ritual process in order to ease the degree of judgment upon the woman and her child. This displays her motherly love towards her child, and therefore I have decided to adapt the form of a fetus for my design.

The segmentation approach taken is altered from the initial design. The entry would consist of a series of arches as a symbol of purification. Then, four main parts are presented. The first being the 'Hall of Mirrors', and then an open bath for cleansing purpose. This bath has a view of Christ the Redeemer. The woman will then pass through a series of red walls layering upon each other with passable gaps. The walls contains stories and scriptures. All the three parts are situated on ground level. After an intense program on ground floor, the woman then takes the long spiral stairs up to the first floor where there is a bed located at the centre of the space. This is a space for rest and quiet contemplation. The woman exits through another passageway (the hand of the fetus) which would have a cross shaped combination of door and fixed windows. Upon exit, her eyes are transfixed on the cross shape.

Enclosure and openness are vital in constructing the spaces with walls, doors and windows. The 'Hall of Mirrors' is meant to be a private space with little disturbance. Thus, a door, artificial lights and surrounding walls are constructed. The bath is an open space with captured views. It is more open compared to the previous space. The third space of red walls is a semi-private space. Minimum daylight is required for this room. The fourth space is an open space for views of the outside world.

I did some conceptual drawings of my design in Sketchup and the images are as shown below: