Stage 1

 

Playing with mass and void, I want to challenge architectural boundaries and the extent to which user interaction is determined by these boundaries. That is to say, by creating a room with four walls and a roof, we as architects already start to determine how users interact with the building – walls, doors and windows, along with the label of a building, provide predetermined paths for us to follow.

By looking at previous work, where I have had a continuous element of public space, I want to push this instinct of design further. For I do have this instinctive want to have a place where people can interact with buildings on their own terms, in their own time. This I believe comes from my own interactions and perception of buildings, not just as walls and rooms, but forms that are a part of the public street – or rather belong to the street and public.

 

 

 

Stage 2

 

By splitting a building, scattering it across a site, I will set out to create a public building.

By transcending boundaries and throwing away the notion of enclosed corridors - encased rooms within a shell, Strangford will become my building.

By these scatterings, the residents shall always be occupying the corridors, passageways, arteries of the building, for I will only create rooms.

 

 

 

Stage 3

 

Intention:

 

To create a malleable, but solid box, refined by detail and honesty of structure.

Let simplicity define the boxes space, uninhibited by the boxes name – save, just name the box an indiscriminate code: B 1, B 3

Let only the paper map identify what happens within each box.

The boxes needn’t be stacked, but can be should you wish.

Needn’t be sealed up but can be if desired, their openings are minimal anyway.

Only boxes for prolonged sedative uses need be insulated, and that is solved easily anyway.

Keep simplicity at the heart of each box.

 

 

 

Stage 3

 

Naming:

 

I would assert that no matter how flexible we design a building to be, where spaces can change with complete ease, the building still remains fixed by its label; house, gallery, cinema.

Thus take the definitive label away, have a nondescript label; box, unit, shelter and the perception of the building as truly flexible is retained, unrestrained by its fixed perception.

Box 1 can have anything occur in it, it is a box – with associations to Pandora.

 

 

 

Stage 3

 

Placement strategy:

 

I propose that the strategy for the boxes be one of thought and each individual’s sensibility be the only requisite.

 

To demand more would be to constrain the box and the potential further discovery beyond what the boxes contain.

 

Thought and sensibility.