REBECCA JANE HACKETT

A project focusing on designing an enquiry centre for DJCAD within Dundee’s city centre.

Visiting an enquiry centre focused on DJCAD gives visitors an opportunity to have an insight into the creative, sophisticated work and individuals to come from the school.

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Considering at the skills that come from being at art school, collage is something that is used across all disciplines whether it is collaging materials or the collaborative process between students. Hence, looking at layering in retail spaces gives inspiration for the final design. Specifically, this comes from the work of EMBT studio with their method of concept design in Camper Together store, through taking two-dimensional elevations of shoes then layering and making three dimensional, similar to the process used within the retail space.

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Two-dimensional sketches of an aerial view of Dundee High Street were manipulated in multiple ways, contributing to every part of the design, from the pillars to the block furniture. Inspiration also came from artist Joseph Beuys for the control of space, colour palette, and materials used – felt and fat. Visitors are greeted with a curious façade and upon entering are faced with towering pillar structures.

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Being guided by the internal ‘doorways’, visitors are led to an intimate listening space at the back where information and student experiences can be heard, and on the way projectors show footage of information about the art school. A sculptural seating area doubles as an exhibition area for students work and up the stairs a platform gives an aerial view where visitors have a different view of the space as a whole, as well as being able to view exhibitions projected on the opposite wall when on.