Space Metamorphosis
REFLECTIONS This project’s focus is the application of a new typology created after thorough research and studies in the field of sociology, urbanism, architecture, engineering and design aiming at proposing a viable solution to decrease the current overconsumption of space and resources in today’s society. This is achieved by collecting and synthesizing available data through our own vision and interpretation. Mixing function appears evident, why not using the same light bulb throughout the day instead of manufacturing two? It however also means that, apart from overlapping functions that might be reduced or complementary ones benefiting more people, concessions have to be done because of the inherent necessary complexity of the concept. Like a living organism, there has to be many actors for the whole to function. Due to the experimental nature of the project, several architectural and engineering challenges were set at the beginning of the thesis. While all were considered, some were more successful than others in their implementation and detailing. The balance of relationships between public and private is achieved through the introduction of three privacy levels which are establishing a hierarchy between spaces and their connections and separations. Using the structural grid, the connection between exterior and interior appears to be strong and the experience continuous. The personal booths which have a high degree of privacy, are contrasting with the open plan of the common floor and gives users the choice to isolate themselves if needed while being within the building complex. The transition areas, such as sitting arrangements between units or staircases exhibiting art works, act as a linking thread between public, common and private. As the main focus of the building complex was the design of a unit accommodating Working and Living functions, other spaces were developed with less details and therefore could be developed even more to support the vision of maximizing the potential of spaces. The project supports the differentiation between mobile and immobile which was established as an important aspect of space transformation concept. The necessity of leaving some spaces static is giving a feeling of security to their users. The fixed room - or emergency room - in the main units is designed to function as an autonomous studio if needed, providing all basic needs for unusual situations. The structure and facades are designed as rather static elements which are supporting the concept, but which configuration stays unchanged. It would be possible to propose, for example, a solution in which the facade would be more interactive and dynamic, however such transformations would require either more energy to operate with an automated system, or more user participation if the system is manual. According to our vision, neither of them would be satisfactory as the idea is to decrease the energy demand and reduce the amount of operations so that the process of transformation appears as simple and familiar as possible for its
130