Interior

Stepping Stone

Stepping Stone focuses on creating a temporary home for young adults (both male and female) suffering from an eating disorder following discharge from hospital. The proposed concept was inspired by the individuality and functionality of the human body, creating spaces that are unique yet connected.

Isabel Welsh

Project Floor Plans

ground floor

Entrance

The form taken by the reception counter and posterior wall folds customers into the space, embracing them. The semi open plan accompanied with the carpet pathway evokes intrigue, drawing all into the space to explore beyond.

As the morning sun penetrates into the building, the glazing will cast the colours onto the floor in the consultation rooms, assisting with the recovery process.

Music Area

The form of the pink litracon partitions that fold over the space provides acoustic insulation for the music wtihin. Howver, the semi enclosed nature of these partitions ensures that to a degree, the sound of music is able to float above and out towards other areas of the building, filling the building with vibrancy and life.

Pottery Area

As the heart of the building, the void is situated directly above the pottery space, allowing natural light to shine into the area, highlighting the space and creating an atmosphere of hope. The carpet pathway meets at the centre of the pottery table from which it flows to each space, connecting each area together, facilitating growth. The glazing of the lift ensures connectivity and inclusion, even when travelling in the lift.

Kitchen Area

The three toned blue perspex explores size and delivers beauty, drawing the eye to the centre of this room, thus facilitating growth and hope.The texture of the kitchen bench encourages tactile exploration, connecting to sensory design and allowing patients to reconnect with their body.

The simplicity of the seating area seen in the background, allows focus to be drawn away from where patients are eating and towards the cooking and preparing of food. In this way, patients are able to comfortably eat without fear of being watched or judged.

First floor

Rooftop Garden

An extension of the kitchen, this herb and vege garden allows occupants of the space to engage with nature, enabling a sense of indpendence and control with caring for and using the garden. With its ability to be used for access to fresh cooking ingredients or reflection, the garden provides flexibility. Finally, to allow access at any time of day, the ceiling shades provides protection from direct sunlight and rain, whilst casting playful shadows.

Art Area

Acting as an eating disorder treatment mechanism that comforts patients, the interwoven nature of the space encourages interaction and playfulness. The external ‘skin’ facade may be seen from within the art space, casting unique shadows along the floor. The flexibility offered by the tables within the space may be seen in the diagrams below. The reconfiguration of such tables provides users with control over their environment, allowing them the opportunity for more solitude or collaborate sessions.

Second Floor

Reflection Area

Beauty is reflected within this space through the structure and lighting of the pods. The fabric hung between selected timber posts paves a journey for users to explore. The gentle nature of this journey encourages users to reflect on their progress. Furthermore, the exploration of ‘around the corner’ asks patients to look beyond what can be seen on the outside and to look within. The shadows cast by the pendant lighting evokes a sense of hope. The ceiling mounted blue pods will rock gently from side to side, nurturing the inhabitant.

THIRD FLOOR

Accommodation Area

With each accommodation room featuring a different colour, a private and intimate design has been achieved. The space provides a restful place for patients to reflect and restore privately whilst reducing the risk of negative thoughts overwhelming them. The bed over the loft encourages not only saves space but encourages users to spend minimal time in bed where thoughts may consume them.

Isabel Welsh

Majoring in Interior Design and minoring in Exercise Physiology and Italian, Izzy is a sensory designer that believes in creating spaces that invite people to be a part of and contribute to the design to elicit a personal connection for each individual walking through the space rather than enjoying the design from a distance. Through understanding and acknowledging users on a deeper level, Izzy aims to create emotive designs to which people may develop a connection, regardless of age, ability, race or gender.