NomadHouse 2020

Img 1: People are more connected via technology

Premise

21st century has seen the most technological advances. We live in a networked society where mobile information and digital communication connect us to anyone, from anywhere at anytime. Mankind’s desire to develop more and newer technologies has transformed the way we work tremendously. This has changed people’s socio-spatial relationship. Our person to person relationships have become complex, affording a seamless transition between being physically present and digitally present at all times.

As we witness a shift in people’s lifestyle, the idea of home and the way they live, is evolving from personal to more communal. Many apartment buildings with smaller private homes have the provision of large gathering spaces, ‘common living rooms’ for social coalition.

A world more connected via digital merging with physical, is now the current norm.

 

Img 2: Evolution of office over a period of time

Evolution and Shift

The design of offices in the last century has bounced from rigid arrangements to organic layouts each with limited success in their own time. However, with the rise of new independant workforce, offices have transformed from a place of production to a place of productivity and interaction. Accompanying the rise of independent workforce are evolution of workplaces with the influx of advanced digital tools.

People today, prefer working in a community which consists of like minded people that fosters socialisation. According to urban sociologist Ray Oldenburg, people need three types of places to feel fulfilled: HomePrivate relief, Work - Economic engagement and Leisure- social integration.

Seeing as to how much time a person spends in a workplace within a week, it makes sense to see an office as not only a place to work but also to accommodate day to day activities. Morgell Lovell in his paper on evolution of office, predicts that future offices will not be viewed just as a place to produce and perform but as a place to connect, collaborate and grow.

 

Img 3: People’s preference to work in a community.

Issue

With rapidly growing urbanisation it is predicted that by 2050, 70% of the world’s population will be living in cities. Homes are more likely to become expensive and smaller. Vehicular and pedestrian traffic in cities is of prime concern and this is just the beginning of what's to come.

Workplaces have artfully slid into our lives and taken the centre stage. People spend majority of their time at their workplaces and are always connected with their work via digital means. People are choosing to blend work and life; exploring the world while continuing to work. But this, ‘constantly on the move’, trend has made it difficult for both: property owners and digital nomads to acquire and rent-out residency.

Can we think of a better solution for people who want to stay connected and keep their hustle going on?

 

Img 4: Growing trend of coworking cafes

Brief of the competition

The boundaries between workspace and living space have become blurred. Offices increasingly resemble a home. While, work has transformed from ‘a place to go’, to ‘a thing to do’.

The challenge here is to design a hybrid structure of a house and a workspace for digital nomads based in the distant future, 2030. The structure designed should be flexible enough to be compatible with the constant migration of the inhabitants. 

The design of the each unit should be compact, at the same time it should be well equipped with all the essentials required by its inhabitant.

 

Objectives

Modular: Should be compatible with ‘constant migrating’ trend

Community: Should have communal spaces for social interaction.

Visionary: Should be futuristic and evolving with time.

Balance: Able to accomplish work, life and leisure balance.

The following objectives can be a point of beginning to conceive this design. Participants can assume their own contexts and users before initiating their design process.

 

Img 5: -Singapore map with downtown blow-up

Downtown Core, Singapore

Singapore is an island city-state off southern Malaysia. It is a global financial center with a tropical climate and multicultural population. 49% of buildings are designated to be used as offices. The downtown centre of the city-state of Singapore is also the main commercial area excluding reclaimed lands with many integrated resorts. The name downtown remains relatively unheard of and the term central business district (CBD) is used instead. The prime office space, supported by a wide range of complementary uses and a live-in population, will contribute to the area becoming a round-the-clock vibrant commercial district. Currently there are number of coworking spaces scattered around CBD, which makes it a potential site for the futuristic hybrid structure.

 

Img 6: Site location with adjoining roads

Site Plan

The site is strategically selected in the area having majority of office buildings. It is the main commercial area excluding the land integrated with resorts such as Marina Bay Sands. The site is accessible from all four sides. Even Though the site is located in the close proximity of number of offices and hotels, it still remains little isolated from hustle-bustle of the city. Providing a peaceful working environment.

• Site area: 29,309 Sqm
• Allowable ground cover: 40%
• Coordinates: 1°16'42.8"N 103°51'21.1"E
• GPR (Gross Plot Ratio) : 13
• Maximum GFA : 3,81,017
• Height restriction :170m

 

Programmatic Outline

The programme of the Nomad house is conceived as a fusion between how living and work will overlap in future. Participants can explore various ideas in the lines of how these intersections would evolve as an architectural outcome in the context of a tall building in 2030. The following outline should be evidently involved while planning smaller and larger aspects of this building.

 

Programme

Participants can fill their own data in given blanks. The above data is free for modification, if the design demands so. Different functions can be clubbed together, added or deleted if required. For any other information refer urban development guidelines of Singapore.

 

Judging Criteria

The entries will be judged by an international jury of the competition on the following criterions: