Adaptive Domestic Architecture: A Case Study of Maison Molaire by BUREAU

In the realm of contemporary architecture, adaptive domestic architecture has emerged as a pivotal concept. It challenges traditional notions of static living spaces, offering dynamic solutions that accommodate the evolving needs of inhabitants. Maison Molaire, designed by BUREAU (Daniel Zamarbide, Carine Pimenta, Galliane Zamarbide), stands as a testament to this innovative approach. Located in Geneva, Switzerland, this 120 m² apartment redefines domestic space, emphasizing flexibility and the fluidity of human life.

Project Overview

Architects and Collaborators

• Architects: BUREAU (Daniel Zamarbide, Carine Pimenta, Galliane Zamarbide)
• Year: 2023
• Area: 120 m²
• Photographs: Dylan Perrenoud
• Manufacturers: DCW Editions, USM, BUREAU, Bruno Rey, FLOS
• Lead Architects: Daniel Zamarbide
• Painting: BEGI Maçonnerie
• Electrician: Teamswisselec
• Plumber: Solar Report
• Masonry: BEGI Maçonnerie

Design Philosophy

The design of Maison Molaire is rooted in the exploration of domestic spaces, focusing on creative variations that support everyday life. The architects recognize that the traditional concept of a family does not always apply; instead, they embrace the diverse rhythms and lives of cohabitants. This perspective necessitates a redefinition and reconfiguration of spaces as the needs of the inhabitants change over time.

Embracing the Flux of Human Life

Dynamic Inhabitation

Maison Molaire challenges the architectural standards that view homes as static places designed for normalized family types. Instead, it acknowledges the unpredictable and often bumpy nature of life. The concept of adaptive domestic architecture is central here, accommodating the flux of human life—what architect Mary Otis Stevens describes as the natural way of grouping and ungrouping.

Openness and Flexibility

In this apartment, previously a dentist's office, the design welcomes the natural flux of life. The building, initially intended for mixed-use, offers a structurally free space illuminated by two transversal skylights. This openness is further enhanced by minimal walling, with spaces defined through curtains and glazed surfaces rather than solid partitions. This approach creates a perceptive shifting machine, where textiles, furniture, and light interact dynamically.

Materials and Aesthetic

Industrial Wood Panels and Furniture

The interior of Maison Molaire features industrial wood panels extensively used for floors and necessary partitions. Furniture and built-in elements are treated as if they were alive, contributing to a dynamic environment where disorder is a constant possibility. This design strategy moves away from the concept of a gesamkunstwerk, leaning more towards a dynamic theater stage where everything is part of an ongoing conversation.

Textile and Light

The use of curtains and textiles plays a crucial role in organizing spaces, allowing for various configurations that can adapt to different needs and situations. Light, both natural and artificial, is used to create diverse visual and experiential atmospheres, further enhancing the flexibility of the space.

Maison Molaire by BUREAU exemplifies the principles of adaptive domestic architecture. By embracing the fluidity of human life and rejecting static architectural norms, this project provides a model for future domestic spaces. It demonstrates that architecture can and should evolve to meet the ever-changing needs of its inhabitants, creating homes that are as dynamic and flexible as the lives they shelter.

All the photographs are work of Dylan Perrenoud