Piotr Miskowiec (he/him)
Interdisciplinary Studies
Working with a team of engineering and quantity surveying students, we were tasked to work together to incorporate architecture, structural design and strict budget restrictions into the performance hall design. This project lasted several weeks, and consisted of weekly group meetings where the design was streamlined to fit the brief.
Interior renders
Plans and Sections
The scheme of the residential focuses on the intersection between the shared and the private, using spatial boundaries to mediate between the two. The shared and private spaces are split into two separate wings with a centralized transition space which simultaneously connects the wings and acts as the main entrance into the building, allowing for smooth circulation between the two. The U-Shaped form of the building creates an internal courtyard which acts as vital area for outdoor activities – a feature important to Sistema. The shared and private areas are separated based on noise levels as well as to emphasize the distinction between shared spaces being vehicles for socializing and private areas offering an opportunity for solitude to retreat, relax, sleep and study. The private bedrooms are isolated from the social spaces, with each bedroom being south facing surrounded by trees – this intends to promote the feeling of safety and retreat. The shared spaces are more exposed, with dining opening to the courtyard allowing accessible entry and exit from interior to exterior, and the salon is more open plan with openings framing the concert hall & landscape.
Sistema Music retreat
The project is situated within Balloch, a town on the Southern end of Loch Lomond, Scotland. Positioned between the highlands and lowlands, it offers views across the Scottish Highlands from the northern most point of the site, where the retreat is placed.
This project is designed to function as a residential music retreat for ‘Sistema BIG Scotland’, a charity at the forefront of bettering children’s lives through the use and teaching of music. The project in its entirety comprises of two separate buildings: A public concert hall designed for the community, and a private residential building intended to reside 32 teenagers and 10 members of staff. The function of the residential retreat is for the teenagers and staff to come together, learn and teach music as well as socialize throughout the year with stays ranging from one to several weeks. The retreat will allow the teenagers – often from disadvantaged or troubled backgrounds – to develop transferable skills and increase self-awareness through experiencing community as well as privacy.
