Units Precendent.

Exploring examples of housing units fitting into a grid

AULA MODULA

Paris, France, Studio Belem, 2020

This project rethinks traditional housing for changing lifestyles post COVID-19 such as incorporating “livework” into the design. The spaces are flexible and lively and fit into a big timber grid - they promote shared spaces and social interactions between its residents. Each apartment has workspaces, with each home facing the common courtyard. The living units are arranged differently and support different sized groups of people - families and friends co-living.

Inspiration

In my project, I need to consider practice space for the residents, so having flexible space would be successful. A modular unit arrangement would be effective, once I have designed a grid that fits into the site.

Unit Isometric

A drawing to show an example of the modular units. Each module is approximately 4mx4m and they can be configured in different ways. The spaces are also flexible such as being able to divide the spaces using movable doors and being able to retract furniture such as beds into the wall.

Grid layout

This drawing shows how the units fit into the grid and how each arrangement is slightly different. Some units are bigger as use more modules, while others are smaller. Internal courtyard is used as communal space.

Grid 1 Grid 2 Grid 3

Refined Grid (1) Refined Grid (2)

Finding the Grid. Structural frame investigation

I have experimented with a 8x8m grid and how it will fit into the site. I have modelled it and thought about how the units will fit into the frame - the structural frame will provide the support for the units to slot into. To develop this further I need to explore different unit arrangement iterations in the chosen grid.

A Unit Jigsaw.

Fitting the units into the structural grid

Iteration 1

Playing with random shapes that fit the grid

Iteration 2

Making each unit type the same shape

Iteration 3

Using same shape for all units but altering the size

Iteration 4

Different design for each unit type playing with the grid

Orientation + Sunlight. Further iterations to optimise passive solar heat gain

This diagram shows the optimal unit arrangement based off on the sun path. I thought about how when the units fit together, what façades will be open to light, which will later inform the floor plans. The shape of the units has as a result changed from the original square shape in order to accommodate the grid, the sun path and each other.