Mansion Competition- Fluid and Fixed
The life of a family that grows and develops can be envisioned as a series of events or celebrations of life, almost like a play where the various activities of life need the appropriate props that includes various size spaces and atmosphere to assist the growth and development of the family. The complementary blended (harmonious balance) of Fluid and Fixed spaces are the main ideas used in this proposal to provide a family the support they need as they grow and change from a couple to a family of four and then return again.
As a couples family size grows in size the need for additional space is a requirement, however in this case the space of this mansion is fixed and therefore the natural growth in size was countered by the multi-use of space and the flexibility of it's size. The main direction was to provide an overall structure of the main living space and contained within this a flexible arrangement of space could be defined by the movement of sliding walls or storage cabinets that also contain study desks. This organization has a central core a common area for communication defined by the ceiling's spatial definition with the private and semi-private areas (sleeping, dressing, studying, etc.) serving the central space and also through these semi/ private spaces an opening of the interior space to the exterior terraces. At times these semi/ private spaces are a part of this central space and at other times they form their own place. The Fixed more permanent facilities (ie. toilet, bath, clothes washing and powder room) typically serving just one person at a time are housed in the general service zone of the house that finds the storage areas that ring the central core. It is envisioned that moveable tatami matts are used so that potential living space can double as sleeping areas. This change of flooring is envisioned to be used for a period of time and not changed every night although this could be possible. Storage cabinets are provided for the bedding and the mechanical system is housed in the furred down ceiling area.
With the potential spatial flexibility the development of a family can be assisted by the manipulation of their own space and through consultation with each other the space can be arranged for their collective needs that assists the growth of the family in their collective communication and problem solving skills.