Portfolio of Work

Recharge Hub and School of Mechatronics & Robotics

Amir El Harbe - BA Architecture - RIBA Part I

This project serves to educate people about green energy and reinforces the use of technology in architecture design within a fast expanding city. The celebration of electric energy is focused around the car industry and the resulting environmental benefits. This is also an argument against the reliance on petroleum which has been the cause of major political disagreements in recent history.

The Recharge Hub and School of Mechatronics and Robotics are financially self-generating through its ancillary functions in addition to the electric charging spaces. The key structure of the recharge hub is designed to dually act as a showroom for the electrical vehicles which are being charged. This advertises the increasing popularity of these machines and creates environmental awareness.

The key spaces for the community include a vocational school and cycle hub. The school focuses on car repair and maintenance as well as the study of mechatronics and robotics while the cycle hub located at the main entrance encourages members of the public to use the building.

Additional retail spaces include a café area and shop space for car boutiques. The latter contextually references the row of high-end car retail boutiques located along the edge of Hyde Park. Primarily, the retail spaces in the building are located to exploit views over Kensington Gardens while the automated car parking system is designed like a gallery to encourage viewing.

The exhibition space and lecture hall fluctuate between public and private use, and is designed to promote exchanges between students and industry and the public.