A NEW PROXEMIC

Typology: Transport-Oriented-Development

Location: Burnaby, Greater Vancouver, Canada

Status: Proposal

Year: 2020

Proxemics as Methodology

The Covid-19 pandemic has exposed an inequality of space as capitalism drives low-income groups to housing not suitable for “stay-at-home” situations. Thus, we are proposing a mass customizable affordable housing based on the study of proxemics, built on leftover plots in the city. Proxemics are the study of interpersonal space and its relation to human behaviour and social interaction. Different cultural groups prefer different distances between them for private to social settings, dividing them into contact and non-contact groups.

During Covid-19, a new proxemics of social distancing (6ft apart) was imposed and thus saw different cultures reacting to it differently. Some cultures adapted to it, repurposing streets to incorporate further-distance social interactions. However, other cultures struggled to cope and it was largely due to the constraints of their spaces of quarantine in high-density cities.

Multiculturalism on Site: Repurpose Leftover Space

Our post-pandemic housing aims to provide a dynamic buffer space for social distancing while still encouraging social interaction tailored to different cultures. Vancouver, Canada is one of the most multicultural cities in the world with over 50% of the residents being from migrant backgrounds. They live in mid-rise apartments which are under threat of eviction from escalating land prices and developmental pressure. Therefore, our scheme takes advantage of the leftover amenity lanes along the linear Metroline train station; repurposing rather than participating in the demolition of homes.

Creating New Datum of Public Life

We create a transit-oriented linear block by using a methodology that incorporates the percentage of household sizes and culture groups on site to design a variety of household configurations from simple room units. The walls, doors and windows allow for varying visual privacy and opportunities for chance contact. They form blocks of communities placed on an elevated datum of public space with ramps and sky bridges connecting them to the station and surrounding context. A double-skin façade is placed facing the station to create a noise barrier that doubles as circ ulation space. Voids are punctured through the block connected to a secondary circulation that functions as a social corridor facing the neighbourhood on site. All circulation corridors are naturally-ventilated and living spaces are daylit, reducing the time spent in enclosed spaces and transmission possibilities.

COLLAGE & OVERLAP

Typology: Art Center

Location: Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia

Status: Proposal

Year: 2019

Collage as Concept

In the 1580’s, Kajang’s community and main demographic has been shifting due to political, geographical and economic factors. And each period brought about a different community which displaces its last, leaving behind physical manifestation in buildings. This physical framework of old and new facilitates the functional uses of the city. The amalgamation of elements of contrast in Kajang fit like a puzzle into the whole context of Kajang. Thus, leading the project to interpret the contrast as a collage of varying elements.

The Typology of the 5-foot-way

The streets of Kajang are understood by its public life which are facilitated by the main vessel of thoroughfare in the form of the 5-foot walkway. This typology allows for the osmosis between public storefronts and private interiors, there is no clear line of demarcation between in and out.

An intention is then derived from the current typology of streets and their purpose of facilitating more than movement. A spiral into space pursues the idea of allowing street to extend into space by incorporating the typology of 5-foot walkways that blur the boundary between in and out. The main draw for the building will be facilitated through a functional programme and the performing arts will play a supplementary role to it. This increased contact between the utilitarian and recreational will normalize the spontaneity found within performing arts, celebrating public life even on a street scale.

Overlap as Opportunity

The chosen site is situated right in between the old and new districts of town and opens up the opportunity to ease and mediate the disconnect between the different demographics. An alley that is currently under-utilised harbors the potential for rejuvenation and activation as a linkage between the two districts.