The Lounge House

For this second year design focussed project, I was tasked with repurposing an existing university owned building into an inviting hostel that carefully blends together the private and communal areas. The focus for the longhouse was primarily the relationship between the range of users to promote positive social engagement in an environment that is unique within the island of Portsmouth. The abstract concept for this six storey building was inspired by the organic shapes of the islands of England’s South coast and was refined with a more representative style of Art Deco seaside hotels.

Site analysis helped to inform this project as it allowed me to understand who may engage with the space based on the surrounding area. Persona research was a more in depth way in which I centred the design around the users, tailoring the experience of the space to the needs of all who use it in a way that is unique to them. Clustering similar durations of stay and joining spaces through voids, allowed a connection between users in a way that is
inclusive to the general public. Materiality and atmosphere was continuous throughout the building, maintaining the visually creative style of Art Deco in a way that felt luxurious and comforting.