interior designer
A social dichotomy currently separates Chatham Historic Dockyards and its surrounding town. The Dockyard is a thriving Heritage listed attraction which generates income through tourism as well as film and television. Chatham town, however, is economically struggling and lacks a strong sense of community. These two social spheres hardly interact, creating a stark and uncomfortable social divide in Chatham.
To remedy this social divide, the proposal aims to introduce the practice of commensality in Chatham as an adaptive reuse of a derelict workshop building within the historic dockyards. For millennia, the act of sharing a meal has played a vital role in societies for expressing ideas and strengthening communal bonds. The community kitchen will provide opportunities for individuals and families of all backgrounds to gather around cooking and eating. A large greenhouse grounds the proposal in self-sufficiency, allowing the cultivation of fresh produce and horticultural education opportunities. The preservation library acts as both a storage solution for preserving food, as well as a catalogue reading material surrounding culinary heritage, climate action, and cultivation techniques. In the kitchen, a single, central island unites cooks and diners together, encouraging socialization and fostering a stronger community bond. The kitchen also functions as a venue for cooking and baking classes for children attending the numerous primary and secondary schools in the area. The design emphasizes key views to the dockyards and the adjacent River Medway, reinforcing Chatham’s reconnection with nature, heritage, and history.