5
Soul Nexus: Transition in Urban Interior

Soul Nexus: Redefining Urban Transition Spaces

Soul Nexus is an innovative exploration of transition spaces designed to enhance spatial experience and connectivity in urban interiors. Comprising three distinct typologies—Threshold Nexus, Flow Nexus, and Pause Nexus—this project emphasizes seamless transitions that bridge nature, architecture, private, and public zones. By transforming spaces into immersive environments, Soul Nexus elevates user experience through thoughtful integration of natural and built elements, light and shadow, and varying degrees of enclosure.

The project applies these principles at the Equal Soul Hub, fostering a cohesive, inclusive atmosphere that encourages interaction, reflection, and social connectivity. Scalable and adaptable, these transition typologies offer flexible design solutions across different contexts, advancing broader urban design discussions inspired by theorists like Jan Gehl and Aldo Van Eyck. Soul Nexus not only enhances functional connectivity but also redefines the role of transitions in creating meaningful, human-centric spaces in diverse urban settings.

Three distinct transition typologies are conceptualized as “Soul Nexus” tesing in the Custom House Equal Soul Hub. Each transition design explores the interplay between different spatial elements, addressing how transitions can enhance connectivity, user experience, and the integration of diverse environments.


This project aimed to design three types of transition typologies

1. The Threshold Nexus (Test at Equal Soul Hub G/F Entrance)
2. The Flow Nexus (Test at Equal Soul Hub 1/F)
3. The Pause Nexus (Test at Equal Soul Hub Rooftop)

2

The solution of 3 typologies of transition space will fits into different transition space in Equal Soul Hub as a next step. The typologies not aimed to only apply in Equal Soul Hub, but as a set of specific typology that can apply in a boarder range of architecture. It will also answer to the synthesis question of transition spaces contribute to the spatial experience and connectivity in urban interior. 

3
3
4
q
1
SOUL NEXUS 1:The Threshold Nexus

Typology Aim

As a bridge between art and recreation, the East Entrance encourages a fluid movement between contemplation in the exhibition space and active engagement in the playscape, facilitating spontaneous interactions among diverse community members. This transition space enriches the communal experience by inviting individuals to explore, interact, and reflect, thereby strengthening social connections and fostering a sense of belonging within the hub.

Typology Objective

Transition Typology 1 effectively bridges the gap between the exhibition and playscape, seamlessly merging calm and active environments, indoor and outdoor spaces, and natural and built forms. This transition space serves as a conduit between art and recreation, fostering diverse experiences that cater to various stakeholders.

By guiding users through thoughtfully designed routes,  it enhances community interaction and engagement. The interplay of different spatial elements not only enriches the user experience but also promotes inclusivity and connectivity, ensuring a dynamic and harmonious flow throughout the Equal Soul Hub.

1
2
SOUL NEXUS 2: The Flow Nexus

Typology Aim

The second typology, focusing on the transition between Inner & Outer spaces. This concept extends beyond the physical transition from indoor to outdoor environments, encompassing the connection between the inner self and the outer world.

Typology 2 aims to enhance the mental experience through gradually open transitions, creating a seamless flow between different zones. By incorporating glass blocks and glass panels, natural light interacts with transitional spaces such as corridors and connecting pathways, ensuring these areas are not merely passageways but places of experience and engagement.

The use of natural light extends to social spaces, creating inviting environments for interaction. Additionally, small courtyards and light wells in the balcony space further enrich the spatial experience, blending indoor and outdoor elements. This thoughtful integration fosters a cohesive and dynamic environment, enhancing community connectivity and well-being.

 

2
3
SOUL NEXUS 3: The Pause Nexus

Typology 3, bridging two distinct destinations, explores the transition between active and calm spaces. By integrating enclosed and open areas with thoughtful lighting design, the journey encourages mental balance and connectivity. This typology demonstrates how spatial transitions can harmonize contrasting activities, promoting both individual reflection and collective engagement, ultimately enhancing the user’s overall experience within the urban interior environment.

3

Innovative Design Strategies in Disciplinary Integration

This project integrates interior, architectural, and spatial design by redefining transition spaces to enhance connectivity and user experience. Strategies like gradual spatial opening, light-shadow interplay, and blending natural and built elements demonstrate an interdisciplinary approach. These design innovations transcend traditional boundaries, emphasizing that spaces should be designed not just for function but for the experiences they create, encouraging a holistic view of spatial transitions in design. After the investigation, I generated the 6 main factors that contribute to a successful transition space on the right.

Scalability and Adaptation

The transition typologies in this project are adaptable across various scales and contexts, from large urban developments to smaller interiors. Their flexibility makes them valuable for diverse design challenges, offering practical solutions that can be implemented across different project types. This adaptability ensures that the project’s insights contribute significantly to evolving practices in interior, architectural, and spatial design, making them relevant for a broad range of applications.

Contribution to Broader Design Discussions

This project emphasizes transition spaces’ role in creating inclusive, human-centric environments, aligning with theories by Jan Gehl and Aldo Van Eyck. By integrating gradual transitions and enhancing social interaction, it expands on existing urban design theories, highlighting the importance of thoughtful design in shaping urban interiors. These contributions underscore the critical role of transition spaces in fostering community connectivity and enhancing user experiences in diverse urban settings.

6
Student list
open list
close list