Evoking Memories

For this final major project, I wanted to carry on from the previous project with the theme of memories. This time instead of encouraging people to leave memories behind to share with others, I wanted to create a space that evokes memories. I have researched into how memories are linked with sounds and scents and have discovered that these two are very influential in what we remember and how we recall things.

When it came to choosing the site, I decided to use an unvalued space in the heart of the city's cultural hub. It is surrounded by the city library, museum, the University and College of Art. The site has not changed since the 1900's when the house on the plot was demolished in order to make way for the new library and its potential has been overlooked.

What I propose for this space is a structure which looks ephemeral and dreamlike, a space that you would not expect to see in this part of the city. The space will become a walkthrough linking the residential area to the University, it would also be linked to the adjacent library, but most of all will be a space of intrigue and discovery.

The structure will be made up of five floors and an underground layer and will also make use of the garden already in place. Three of the floors will be made up of cubes representing memory cells which will be made out of three different materials. Some will be made of a highly reflective material which will reflect the light coming into the structure, others will be made of structural glass which will enable the light to come into the structure and the others will be made of frosted glass with coloured LED lights integrated into them to light the structure up at night.

The right hand wall of the structure will be covered by a bookcase which will be 17 meters high and filled with books, but these books will be what they seem, some will be actual books, others will have artefacts in them or screens showing random images or films. These unexpected insertions should unlock people's memories, the randomness of what is in them teamed up with the fact that the bookcase is in an unfamiliar context (library, home..) creates a strong combination allowing memories buried deep down to resurface.

Another hidden element are mirrored tubes placed around the structure which, using sensors, will release scents as people walk past. If they look closer they will notice that these tubes are covered in headphone sockets which you can plug into and hear either a noise, a song or an interview which will have the same effects as the books. The headphone sockets will light up at night enhancing the space and making them easy to see.

Also inserted into the design are two contemplation spaces, one is situated on the top floor of the structure. It is an open roof terrace allowing people to feel the natural elements (wind, rain) which can enhance people's memories. There are drink and snack facilities so that visitors can just sit back and relax and further their experience with the books. This space was created to allow people to share their experience and memories with others and create new bonds. Visitors will also be able to observe the changing city landscape as they have a panoramic view of Plymouth from this terrace therefore naturally reminiscing about the city.

Another contemplation space is situated in the existing garden which forms part of this site. This area enables visitors to relax amongst nature and to further their experience by being able to plug into the tubes which contain music and scents. Using a sensor system, when a visitor brings a book out into the garden and plugs into one of the tubes, they will be able to hear the corresponding sound and smell that particular scent which is linked to what they have discovered in the book. This setting therefore enables the visitor to combine all senses to create an even more powerful experience.