Project & design lead - Design Engine Architects

The Listening Space was intended as the hub for The Institute for Social and Environmental Justice. The brief was to create an innovative, small-scale meeting space, which provides an environment for experimental dialogue, inter-religious encounter, group work and creative thinking projects.

The brief demanded a strong landmark identity, that also reflected a circular seating pattern for groups of either 8 or, 16. Research indicated that group dialogue is improved when participants are seated at a lower height, which encourages leaning forwards, as opposed to a more defensive posture when sat upright. This led to a solution where two stepped seating rings are sunk into the floor.

The design has been developed in detail, formed from an 8mm structural steel monocoque shell with a metallic specialist paint finish. Internally, this structure is finished with a timber lining that mirrors the external form and accommodates the storage niches.

This project built on David’s experience and interest in mobile buildings, with the intention that the project becomes a prototype that could be located in numerous locations.