Fig: 1 – Squares as an element on a building façade – An illustration

Living in right angles

Curves add a touch of excitement to anything static, but when it comes to functionality; straight elements are a crucial part of structures that are made anywhere.  

Most buildings in ancient times used right angles in resonance with stable structures and were the only possible approach with the technology available back then. 

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Right angles have been attributed to efficiency in every aspect of our planet and this universe, right from laws of physics to human skeletal structures.

With time and technology shifting to curves as an aesthetic (Eg. Parametric Architecture), the power of rectilinear forms is overlooked with attribution to budget and mundaneness. What if squares are all we had?

What if the only option to deliver a concept space for housing for you was only rectilinear?

 

Fig: 2 - Squares as an element in a parametric design - An example seen in BIG’s serpentine pavilion

Square housing

The qualm of using rectilinear forms usually come into the spotlight when we look at generic urban environments/housing at large. It creates this uneasiness of delivering average forms in the name of functionality. 

When we look at the flip side, parametricism or deconstructivism on the converse can dominate the function as well while being implemented to serve the spaces – hence the bias is not entirely accurate. The exercise is focused on getting back to the basics, what if - all we had a single shape to design our buildings on? What if this shape’s positives and negatives were balanced out to make things work spatially and architecturally in housing?

The challenge here would be constructing every element of a house to just one shape, a Square.

How would you as a designer interpret the qualities of the form in the physical realm of geometries translated into real forms of housing and living? How will the shape limitations help you shape a new housing experience through this form of limitation? 

 

Objectives

• User profile: Create a user profile/family profile first and then build the house for them.

• Space-making: Building spaces using indoors and outdoors taking design, climate and function into account.

• Shape usage: Innovation in shape usage while playing with sizes and dimensions.

• Furniture/Details: Finalizing select furniture and detail concepts. 

Site

Fig: 3 – Site Plan

• Site area - 1357 sqm 
• FAR - 1.0
• Ground coverage - 40%
• Setbacks as per CAD file.
• Height Restriction - 12m
• Coordinates - Maps

Design a villa that is all squares right from the furniture to windows. The square shape can be embodied at least in 2D to carve out the architectural concept. The forms necessarily do not require to be cubic and can take liberty in locking only two-dimensional square embodiment.   The minimum requirements for the house must be three bedrooms, one kitchen and dining space, one living area and a swimming pool. Filleting edges are permitted. 

The site for this project is located in the Encino precinct of Los Angeles, CA. The site is located amidst several other villas and recreational properties. The design outcome is expected to take into account the presence of other villas and locations next to the site to arrive at the views and privacy. The site is placed within a contour land but it's completely levelled flat.