Maximising Living in Compact Spaces

Context

With the growing population, the land is constantly seen as a depleting resource and thus has increased real estate prices. Today, the definition of a house has barely boiled down to it being a commodity that constitutes a kitchen, a living area, bedroom and bathroom. This commodity offered is sometimes so inhabitable that it even lacks the basic notion of light and ventilation.

Eventually, all the other additional notions of what a house should offer then become secondary. How do we then redefine a modern living space for a space crunch situation that it is not just habitable, but also restores these essential notions that make it a house? 

How do we then redefine a modern living space for a space crunch situation that is not just habitable, but also restores these essential notions that make it a house?

Challenge

UNYT launched a competition to build a ‘Living Space’  for a family of 6. The participants had to also describe the character of the users they are designed for which gives this challenge an exciting insight into how the house emerges in an evolutionary manner for its occupants.

Areas to serve the purpose of sleep, eat and sanitating are the basics to accommodate living. However, for it to become a home, this list goes longer as well as becomes subjective. It is even tougher to house this long list when the plot is tight. 

The brief called out participants to design a ‘Living Space’ for a family of 6 (people from 3 generations to be considered).

Based on this, propose a modern way of living in a space crunched scenario for them. The proposal constituted designated areas to perform every minute activity without making space feel claustrophobic. This required a new way of thinking and designing homes, it could be in such a way that they were open yet secure, compact yet comfortable.

The jury for the competition consisted of esteemed designers, professionals and academicians from around the world. The Lead Jurors for the competitions were as follows: 

Andy Rahman Director, Andyrahman Architect, Indonesia

Martin Smedsrud Architect/Partner, R21 Arkitekter AS, Norway

Yo Shimada Founder & Principal, Tato Architects, Japan

Shigeru Tsuda Founder / Princi pal, T-Square Design Associates, Japan

Matt Lindsay Design Architect, Matt Fajkus Architecture, Austin

Jana Stachova Partner, Boq Architekti

Some of the Best of competition projects are:

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Winning Project: Living House Project

By: Liran Tsukran & Ori Dvir

Description: The project frames the dynamic changes in lives and cultures, where they choose a modern family with 3 generations and their needs which shift with every generation. The house is located in Fukushima, which has a huge history of disasters. The design looks at a modular solution to help communities to build their own homes faster. 

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Runner Up: SKRIZ` LITA [THROUGH THE YEARS]

By: Вікторія Альошина & Олександр Левицький

Description: The intent of the project is to reflect that homes are not measured in area but in family warmth. The project attempts to make a home that's cozy and comfortable for every resident and give each family member a cozy corner, as well as preserve the warmth of the family circle. The design plays in the realm of Building awareness, multifunctional spaces, contemporary ukrainian design.

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Runner - Up: A house for Life

By: Tassos Petridis, Stephanie Akkaoui Hughes, Federica Tulio & Fabia Campagnaro

Description: This proposal is a house of sustainable living that aims to support a family for life with the feeling of a community within the family. In a city like Amsterdam, the lifestyle changes rapidly so we have to consider sustainability in the largest sense of the word, about maintaining something over a long period of time and minimizing waste and resources.

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Honorable Mention: Nano Nest

By: Yara Hussein & Loay Dieck

Description: The design looks at a residence for a family of carpenters and makers, inspired from the city of Bethlehem. The house looks at an interesting mix of a family business and living merging together. Additionally the design also employs materials crafted by local craftsmen within the old city it is planned in. 

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Honorable Mention: Decussate Dorm

By: Jesden Tang

 

Description: Turning a house for two into a Dormitory for six. Many elders in Taipei are living alone in a big house, lack of caring. So we decided to change the elders' house into a dormitory for exchange-students outside the university. Sharing experiences and taking care of each other under the same roof.

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Honorable Mention: CO-LIVING HOUSE

By:  Misak Terzibasiyan & Elpida Roidou

Description: The residents of this house are six people from three different generations. They are three couples, aged 20, 40 and 60, respectively. They have known each other for a long time and feel like family to one another. On this basis, the first decision taken was for a building whereby everything is shared. There are no walls in the house.

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Honorable Mention: Hanging Spaces

By: Isabella Nieling 

Description: The building follows the reduction of functional zones in order to create open light,air-permeable common areas and increase the communication between the residents. Three residential units were equalized in height and also kept in an organic design language. The open facade transports the interior to the outside and conveys the image of floating room units.

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Honorable Mention: BetterTogether

By: Kiara Helk

Description: The building follows the reduction of functional zones in order to create open light,air-permeable common areas and increase the communication between the residents. Three residential units were equalized in height and also kept in an organic design language. The open facade transports the interior to the outside and conveys the image of floating room units.

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Honorable Mention: LIV[IN]G CORE

By: Chas Marquez, Eileen Gehlhausen, Jamie Marchini & Jamie Saunders

Description: This nano home is designed for a six person, multi generational family living under one roof in one of the most desireable and energetic Denver neighborhoods. Homes for this new generation need to be malleable , adaptable, affordable and multi functional. Whereas the architectural inspiration arrived from a pine cone and its ability to nourish its seeds.

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Honorable Mention: Nano Nest

By: James Ingram

Description: The Nano Nest project is in response to the competition brief and aims to explore how refugees can be housed in the small spaces that dot the classical Cities of Europe. Through using the architectural typology of Rome, the project aims to help a multi-generational family of 6 adapt to their new home, whilst inviting the local residents into the home.

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People’s Choice: YOTTA IN YOCTA

By: Godlin George, Dayalan & Dhiliban B

Description: As the population increases, finding open space in an urban area is a tedious task. The solution is hence towards design of a compact home that embraces a program at each level corresponding to the age and type of function the perform. The entire house is connected by courtyards to connect the various levels spatially and visually boosting integration through the home.

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Editor’s Choice: The Block Home

By: 磊刘

Description: It was a small house by the side of the road, on a crowded street with people coming and going. Ventilation and light are great challenges it faces, only to open the windows to the windows to the street, and the complex and interesting lifestyle of the family of six will take place in this house with a patio and different dynamic lines.

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Institutional Excellence Award: M SQUARE

By: Ajay Sam, Dhiliban Bala & Hindusthan School Architecture

Description: To make home away from home and a commodious feel in a small living space.

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