THE DIMENSION OF DWELLING: Flexibility and privacy in shared domestic environments - B.Arch final thesis
Author: Mariana Queiroz / Advisor: Ana Luisa Rolim
Catholic University of Pernambuco (UNICAP), Brazil
This study explores the balance between flexibility and privacy in domestic environments, drawing from Maslow's Theory of Needs and the Social Logic of Space. Analyzing iconic modern and contemporary houses, it investigates spatial configurations through convex, axial, and visibility graphs to inform design solutions.
In today's sharing economy, where strangers exchange assets and services, catering to diverse user needs is paramount. The proposed spatial system aims to address this by creating adaptable, shared spaces based on a solid-void rational. Derived from a typical accessible bathroom, the system offers variations for different plot plan conditions, incorporating sliding panels and voids for spatial alteration, natural lighting, and ventilation.
 Study models of the basic spatial arrangement designed based on syntactic analysis |  The first theoretical axis: Theory of Needs (Marslow, 1943; Alderfer, 1969) and the human life cycle in different built environments. |  The second theoretical axis: the Social Logic of Space (Hillier; Hanson, 1984) considers that space carries social aspects which are intrinsic to its configuration |
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 The main goal was to understand and conceive solutions suitable to contemporary sharing economy |  Five iconic modern and contemporary homes are analyzed: Villa Tugendhat (Mies van der Rohe, 1930), Villa Sarabhai (Le Corbusier, 1955), Y House (Steven Holl, 1999), 18.36.54 House (Studio Libeskind, 2010) and Wind House (UNStudio, 2014) |  Example of diagrams and syntactic maps produced for the houses analyzed: Y House, Steven Holl, 1999. |
 The spatial typologies considered: spaces of transition and spaces of use |  Justified graphs of houses analyzed |  Villa Sarabhai by Le Corbusier: the regularity of the floor plan generates a corridor-less layout where intersecting planes define rooms and promote spatial articulation, allowing for spaces of use to be simultaneously transition spaces. |
 The translation of Le Corbusier's configuration into the proposed modular layout |  The proposed base modules |  Possible layout configurations |
 The two plot plan conditions: building setback from all plot sides and without setbacks at two sides |  Isovist at social spaces and justified graph analysis of the typical layout |  Simulation of typical layout in regular city plots |
 Layouts for two plot conditions (setbacks at all sides and no setbacks at two sides): black modules are fixed wet areas, and voids allow for natural lighting and ventilation |  Layouts for plot condition with building setbacks at two sides: black modules are fixed wet areas and voids allow for natural lighting and ventilation |  Simulation of a possible partition layout in a 9-module unit |
 Simulation of a possible furnished layout in a 9-module unit |  Simulation of a layout variation in a 9-module unit |  Several layout variations within typical city plots, including the addition of staircases (white thick border module) |
 Simulation of a vertical stacking of units |  Stacking possibilities: volumetric variation of layouts with addition of staircase |  Stacking possibilities: volumetric variation of layouts with addition of staircase |