Annette Gathingo
Annette is a young and energetic architectural designer who also has fundamental experience in Interior Design. She is passionate not only about sustainability and the circularity of her design concepts, but also the functionality of spaces and their long term impact on users, who remain centre stage to her works. With the benefit of having experienced living, studying and working in both developing and first world countries, she has over time gathered an interest in solving societal issues, that transcend geographical, religious and social class boundaries, through conscious spatial design.
Final Major Project dubbed 'The Labyrinth' is a creative haven for disadvantaged youth from the emerging visual and performing arts scene in London's Hackney Wick and Fish Island.
The scheme which has; apartments, a cafe/gallery space and an outdoor amphitheater, gives these individuals who often have irregular income, an opportunity to secure subsidised rental units, get exposure and trade their craft, with an aim to eliminate stereotypes associated with this group.
The Labyrinth – The site located on Bream Street near the Old Fort Locks is flat and marked as flood prone by the council. This has been combated by creating a concept with varying levels from North West to South East allowing flow of run off water that is collected under the outdoor Amphitheatre, for use. This accompanies several other sustainable approaches including use of wood wool for interior partitioning and insulation, a geothermal heating system and PV panels.
The ground floor and first floor plans showing interior layout. The concept has five blocks of apartments, each carrying 12 units across three floors, as well as a double storey restaurant gallery that wraps around the Amphitheatre. Green roofing alternates with sandstone flooring to create a natural looking aerial view that bears similarity to the neighbouring landscapes of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.