Project Two: Circulation

Plan of Circulation: The occupant begins at the octangular tower and follows a difficult path down towards what they hope is freedom and society.

Elevation of Staircase.

Clockwise from Top Left:

1. Octangular Tower: I used a octagon shape for the plan of this tower to evoke a subtle but not complete sense of security and freedom.  This is because an octagon is not a complete circle (sense of security) but also obtuse angled (uneasiness). The slits of in the wall allows light to enter but is too narrow for the prisoner to escape or get a clear view of his surroundings. As this tower is meant to be used as a bedroom when the sun rises it will filter through the slits and fall on the prisoners bed waking her. The slits in the wall also guides the prisoner's eyes to the small window which gives a view of the gridded box (freedom).
2. Beginning of the Staircase: From the door of the tower the prisoner is able to see a flat landing and part of the ceiling of the steep staircase. The rays of light seems inviting as it is seen as a way to escape from his isolation. After walking through this small landing a small tall window appears on the left giving another glimmer of the gridded box. Right after this small window the prisoner is faced with a large and extremely steep staircase with the lights falling along the wall on both sides and the sheer length of them it give a sense of falling which never ends.
3. End of Staircase: The steep staircase ends abruptly with a staircase which is a lot more gentle and opens up to a open landing. This give a transition stage between the steep stairs and the landing.
4. Reflecting Landing: This landing is bathed in a yellow glow from hidden yellow glass panels in the corners. This colour gives a hazy reflective tone to the atmosphere of the landing but also symbolises her cowardice as she does not continue on her journey but sits and reflects
5. Unstable Staircase: This staircase is unstable in the way it is held up by small beams and is open to the elements. This not only makes it a frightening staircase to move along but the changes in riser level, step size and ceiling height makes the prisoner climb and duck on her way up towards freedom.
6. Final Ramp: After the unstable staircase the prisoner is faced with a ramp which they believe to be a easy rise up to the top. When they turn the corner however a steep ramp comes into view with small steps for gripping on. At the end of this ramp is a small doorway which allows light into the dark corridor.

After this hard journey to what she thinks is society and freedom she walks through the small doorway but is hit with a room which is larger than her tower but is the same in shape and form. This is a reflection of the idea that once you become a prisoner whether you committed a criminal act or if you were a victim, you will always be seen as and feel like one which is something the rest of society cannot fully understand.