BA (Hons) Interior Architecture Major Project

BA (Hons) Interior Architecture Major Project

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CROSS DISCIPLINARY LEARNER'S HUB

CROSS DISCIPLINARY LEARNER'S HUB

MARLOWE THEATRE

MARLOWE THEATRE

KENT, UK

KENT, UK

Area: 4850 m²

Area: 4850 m²

Category: Institutional

Category: Institutional

Methodology: Adaptive Re-use

Methodology: Adaptive Re-use

This project explores adaptive reuse as a response to the growing demand for sustainable spatial solutions. Rather than erasing the old, it builds upon it, beginning with observation and reinterpretation. Set within Canterbury’s landmark Marlowe Theatre, the proposal transforms a once performance-bound structure into a multi-layered academic hub, addressing the city's high student-to-resident ratio. The design draws from the idea that students are both audience and performer. This duality is expressed through three architectural volumes: Solid, Translucent, and Transparent, each tailored to different levels of privacy, exposure, and engagement. Spatial zoning, vertical layering, and material strategy work together to support diverse learning behaviour while preserving the theatre’s original essence of gathering and exchange. Through interior architecture, the project offers a future-facing reinterpretation of cultural heritage, situating learning within the frame of memory.


This project explores adaptive reuse as a response to the growing demand for sustainable spatial solutions. Rather than erasing the old, it builds upon it, beginning with observation and reinterpretation. Set within Canterbury’s landmark Marlowe Theatre, the proposal transforms a once performance-bound structure into a multi-layered academic hub, addressing the city's high student-to-resident ratio. The design draws from the idea that students are both audience and performer. This duality is expressed through three architectural volumes: Solid, Translucent, and Transparent, each tailored to different levels of privacy, exposure, and engagement. Spatial zoning, vertical layering, and material strategy work together to support diverse learning behaviour while preserving the theatre’s original essence of gathering and exchange. Through interior architecture, the project offers a future-facing reinterpretation of cultural heritage, situating learning within the frame of memory.


Defining the Volumes

Defining the Volumes

The Marlowe’s footprint is reinterpreted through three spatial volumes that guide movement from inward containment to outward expression. At the center lies the solid core, anchoring focused and quiet activity. Adjacent to it, the translucent layer mediates flow, visibility, and spatial transition. Further outward, the transparent edge opens to the city, promoting openness and exchange. Together, they establish a continuous spatial sequence that transitions from introspective to connective, shaping how users perceive and inhabit the building.

The Marlowe’s footprint is reinterpreted through three spatial volumes that guide movement from inward containment to outward expression. At the center lies the solid core, anchoring focused and quiet activity. Adjacent to it, the translucent layer mediates flow, visibility, and spatial transition. Further outward, the transparent edge opens to the city, promoting openness and exchange. Together, they establish a continuous spatial sequence that transitions from introspective to connective, shaping how users perceive and inhabit the building.

Translating Axis into Experience

Translating Axis into Experience

The intersecting horizontal and vertical axes define how spatial experience is felt and navigated. Horizontally, the transition moves from contained to open, increasing light, airflow, and publicness. Vertically, it moves from active to quiet, offering greater privacy, focus, and personal space as one ascends. Together, these dimensions establish a transitional matrix where diverse learning behaviors and spatial needs coexist in balance.

The intersecting horizontal and vertical axes define how spatial experience is felt and navigated. Horizontally, the transition moves from contained to open, increasing light, airflow, and publicness. Vertically, it moves from active to quiet, offering greater privacy, focus, and personal space as one ascends. Together, these dimensions establish a transitional matrix where diverse learning behaviors and spatial needs coexist in balance.

Logic into Implementation

Logic into Implementation

Enter: Platforms

Enter: Platforms

Each spatial volume within the Marlowe is anchored by a dedicated platform, expressing a unique synthesis of structure, materiality, and experience. These platforms act as transitional grounds, guiding users through the spatial logic of solid, translucent, and transparent zones. The Solid Platform defines enclosed and focused environments that support intentional learning flow. The Translucent Platform activates the vertical void through layered and diffused atmospherics, balancing light, privacy, and connection. Finally, the Transparent Platform extends outward as an open learning terrace, engaging directly with airflow, sunlight, and movement. Together, they form a continuous architectural sequence that bridges structure, behavior, and experience.

Each spatial volume within the Marlowe is anchored by a dedicated platform, expressing a unique synthesis of structure, materiality, and experience. These platforms act as transitional grounds, guiding users through the spatial logic of solid, translucent, and transparent zones. The Solid Platform defines enclosed and focused environments that support intentional learning flow. The Translucent Platform activates the vertical void through layered and diffused atmospherics, balancing light, privacy, and connection. Finally, the Transparent Platform extends outward as an open learning terrace, engaging directly with airflow, sunlight, and movement. Together, they form a continuous architectural sequence that bridges structure, behavior, and experience.

Solid - make shift format open space

Solid - make shift format open space

Translucent - bridge linking to outdoor structure

Translucent - bridge linking to outdoor structure

Transparent - courtyard

Transparent - courtyard