Nurturing locus : how can architecture nurture inspiration and ideas in creative thinking?

Abstract

Architecture is what surrounds us. It is where we live, where we learn, where we work, and where we play.

This project aims to produce an architectural design solution which generates an environment that nurtures creative thinking where inspiration and ideas seem to happen more easily. Creativity depends upon inspiration and ideas. It has been discovered that the creativity of an adult and a child are not the same. One is fearful and restrained, the other open and free respectively. Providing an interlock between these two characteristics which would integrate child and adults in an environment where interaction and play can happen which may inspire more courage in the adults to take greater risks, thereby fostering more adult creativity. Architecture would then need to help this sync, symbiosis, synergy of the two realms. Investigating what types of spaces, connections, environments, and atmospheres to facilitate a seamless integration of adults and children can be developed.

This projects purpose is to design a creativity centre for innovation allied with a pre-school/kindergarten. The interaction between the adults (charged with innovation) and the children (vitality, clarity, and pure creativity) can spark break-throughs for adults. These interactions are associated around play and mental relaxation of their adult focus to allow subconscious creative activity to occur.

The site is located in Auckland CBD, corner of Mayoral Drive and Wakefield Street. It is an existing carpark located between Telecom House and AUT buildings.