Jessica Kirk
BIO
Over the past four years, I have grown, honed and reimagined my love for interior design, it has not only become my career but serves as a creative expression of myself. In the years to come I hope to never stop learning, continuing to evolve and carve out a niche of my own in the industry.
Thesis Project
RADIATE | A facility tailored to Seasonal Affective Disorder
Radiate is rooted in the goal of providing users with a restorative refuge that reflects characteristics lost during winter. Access to nature, social connection, and inclusive fitness environments will help provide a gateway to health-benefiting amenities which are greatly impacted by seasonal depression. The facility will allow balanced lifestyles to thrive year-round, helping bridge the seasonal gap that Ontario residents experience. Overall Radiate will help to put wellness back into winter, changing the narrative of S.A.D.
Preliminary
The overall design of Radiate has been influenced by one main goal: How to address and reduce the impact of S.A.D through an inclusive and restorative indoor space. From the design development stage to the final material selections, that question has been at the forefront of each decision, helping guide an occupant-centred design solution. During my initial research, it became very clear that S.A.D needed to be addressed and considered within community centres. In a survey I conducted, 92% of respondents indicated an overall decline in mood during winter due to the cold, gloomy and grey landscape, and 96% of respondents indicated feeling less motivated and physically active during this time. These results expressed the great need for positive indoor spaces during winter that allow individuals to stay socially connected, physically active and promote mental wellness. The concept of Radiate revolves around alleviating the harmful mental and physical affects of S.A.D through a holistic approach. Emphasis on a central light therapy lounge acts as a connective gathering hub, while more individualised “Self” and “Movement” zones radiate off this main space creating a sense of balance. Curved forms in rhythmic patterns have been used to help define pathways and draw the user through the space in an intuitive and organic way, while a walking track which wraps the entire space facilitates an inclusive fitness environment. The use of transparent coloured glazing has been incorporated throughout, with minimal use of solid partitions, allowing light to permeate from multiple directions and helping promote a sense of interconnectedness. The addition of coloured glass panels evokes a sense of vibrancy, compensating for the times of year where the landscape is dull and lacking colour given by nature, helping aid in S.A.D and winter blues.