Sea X Row (Interior Major Project) – Nkem Usiade | Page 12

Form & Material Precedents
The club currently lacks any defining aesthetics
that help it stand out on the esplanade. The existing
brick is old and dark, broken glass windows and
peeling paint all attribute to the space being forgotten.
As I am introducing a new purpose I need
the design to be favourable of the purpose but also
aesthetically good. Looking at form, colour and
material.
The club is currently made of brick and concrete, a
new material I’d like to introduce is stone.
Figure 2-Rodia Stone House,Greece
Many cultures have a connection to stone in architecture.
Greece and Rome are two examples,
having historic architecture made of stone. Stone
is elegant and relatively cheap (varies). Sandstone
for example is of a soft malleable stone with a nice
finish. As it ages it builds more depth and texture,
an example is the Glasgow Women’s Library. The
library was built in 1903, in sandstone. The grade B
listed building has experienced weathering to the
facade over time, adding texture and depth and
strengthening its historic presence.
Rodia Stone House, Greece is a beautiful example
of layered stone. The stone facade is a stone cut
layer/stack. Almost resembling a puzzle. This finish
pays tribute to the raw beginning of stone. Opting
for an opposite finish the Procaccini 17, Milan, Italy
went for a smooth finish. The Sandstone blocks
are polished and show no raw origin of the rock.
All are examples of stone builds and are in the
neutral tone palette. The Rodia house has a small
amount of crimson red stone blend in with the
mixed light brown palette. The Procaccini 17
having a tan-khaki shade of brown. I plan for Sea x
Row to have such a tone in my stone inspired from
these precedents, to which I can then add coloured
element for in my colour theory( page 7).
Figure 3-Procaccini 17, Milan, Italy
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