Hybrid Housing
Mixed-Use • Leeds, UK • 2nd year project (2019/2020)

Masterplan - City of the People

The first stage of the project was a development of a new rejuvenating masterplan of an area of Leeds adjacent to the city’s famous Corn Exchange (1863) and Kirkgate Market (1857).

The main planning decisions were made based on the understanding that the careful management of the transport in the cities is what helps to create liveable and healthy environment. The key decision of the masterplan shown above, therefore, was to make an area car-free and more people-friendly. The main considerations include the promotion of walking and cycling and the reduction of air pollution and noise.

Hybrid Housing

The second stage of the project was to develop the masterplan further by designing a new Hybrid Housing complex on Kirkgate, known as “the oldest street in Leeds”. The area, though close by some of Leed’s most prosperous shopping streets, fell into disrepair and now is in need of improvement and renewal.

The following hybrid housing proposal intends to enrich the area by offering not only conveniently located term-time accommodation but also free and open to public literature space. This is to be a mixed-use building having such facilities as bookbinding, library, green spaces to read, study and relax, a cafe and some compactly laid out flats.

FRONT FACADE

SECTION AA

GROUND FLOOR PLAN

The design inspiration was taken from 20th-century libraries where circular space allows the library, readers, books and staff to coexist in the same place capturing the knowledge of urban society.

A rotunda emphasises the cultural value of reading and is the perfect place for reflection. Glazed entrance facades on both sides of the rotunda are trying to blur the sense of inside and outside to allow the mind to wander and explore.

Project Gallery