Thea Teo Studio Portfolio
Contents 01 | Pre-research on Home and Comfort A series of thoughts before the project 02 | Part 1: Discomfort Investigating Discomfort in a Home Through the Living Conditions of Abuse 03 | Part 2: Family Comfort Investigating In-between Spaces & Privacy 04 | Part 3: Personal Comfort New Domesticity 05 | Post-evaluation on Home and Comfort A series of thoughts after the project
01 | Pre-research on Home and Comfort
The idea behind the topic home and comfort comes from during the circuit breaker period of the COVID-19 crisis. This topic is something very relatable and understandable for everyone. It is something we face now, and we could face this again in the future, in fact any time of our lives.
Thought Process There was a realisation that home was built with the intention of going home to rest and not to live with other people. What really defines a home, is it the people? The furniture? The ambience? Or the objects? The sense of comfort comes in later as to how can comfort be seen or felt in a home.
Page 6 | 01 | Pre-research on Home and Comfort
Films Films and series of shows were looked at as a way to see the relationship between home and comfort. Films help
to
present
different
living
conditions and settings to viewers, which can help to develop a clearer understanding Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
of
how
spatial
elements come into socio-cultural elements, and eventually how comfort is significant in a home. List of films and series (from upper left to bottom right): 1. Marriage Story 2. Parasite 3. In the Mood for Love 4. The Invitation
Figure 4
Figure 5
Figure 6
5. Kim’s Convenience 6. Modern Family 7. F.R.I.E.N.D.S 8. The Breakfast Club 9. Home Alone The following films were further analysed because they possess taboo yet relatable topics such as divorce, living alone and differences between the rich and the poor.
Figure 7
Figure 8
Figure 9
Page 7 | 01 | Pre-research on Home and Comfort
Figure 10
Figure 11
Marriage Story (2019) In this part of the film, Charlie had to rent an apartment in LA, in order to fight for the case and to not lose custody over his son. This is amid them fighting the case in court, but both parties are trying to find a common ground between them, not in court. In the beginning of the scene (left), it started out with them calmly trying to talk to each other. At the end of the scene (right), it ends up with both breaking down and Nicole having to comfort Charlie. Many things happened in between but it could be summarised just by looking at these two scenes, because of how the characters move within the small space and how almost everything else was left untouched. It is weird in a way how emotional aspects can come in the way and change the entire mood of such a space that is commonly used in a household, making both the characters and viewers feel uncomfotable watching this scene.
Page 8 | 01 | Pre-research on Home and Comfort
Figure 12
Figure 13
Parasite (2019) This movie is related to the topic of home and comfort because it accurately captures the different families in different states, moving about in different houses and how they react with the spaces and objects in the houses, the spatial comfort is evident in almost all the scenes. The living room (left) is a happy space and later becomes a careful space. It is an area where human interaction is the highest, many activities can occur depending on the number of people, the type of lighting and even the objects that are around. In the underground bunker (right), the old housekeeper’s husband was secretly living in there. Even though the living conditions are horrible, he was fine with it. He mentions that “It feels like I was born here. Maybe I had my wedding here, too. In my old age, love will comfort me.” Demonstrating that comfort does not have to come in the form of luxury or big amounts of spaces with lots of furniture.
Page 9 | 01 | Pre-research on Home and Comfort
1 “The problem facing us today in designing and rebuilding our cities is understanding the needs of large numbers of people. We are building huge apartment houses and mammoth buildings with no understanding of the needs of the occupants.” 2 “Many men have two or more distinct personalities, one for business and one for the home. The separation of office and home in these instances helps to keep the two often incompatible personalities from conflicting and may even serve to stabilize an idealized version of each which conform to the projected image of both architecture and setting.” 3 “One pays very little attention to the effects of crowding. If, however, one sees man surrounded by a series of invincible bubbles which have measurable dimensions, architecture can be seen in a new light. It is then possible to conceive that people can be cramped by the spaces in which they have to live and work. They may even find themselves forced into behavious, relationships or emotional outlets that are overly stressful. When stress increases, sensitivity to crowding rises - people get more on edge - so that more and more space is required as less and less is available.”
Extracts from The Hidden Dimension by Edward T.Hall (1966) The first extract, written in 1966, already stated that houses back then were built with no understanding of the needs of occupants, somewhat predicted what kind of houses are supposed to be built in the future. Now, many people have slowly began to change their house surroundings to what they prefer or what they need, but is it enough? How can comfort come into place together with the needs and wants of occupants? The second and third extracts, state the reasons as to why humans act in a certain behaviour when they are put into living together. As we look into the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, people are forced to live with each other whether they like it or not, forcing them to change their habits and making everyone feel uncomfortable.
Page 10 | 01 | Pre-research on Home and Comfort
These research lead up to the inquisition on topic:
Seeking the Notions of Comfort in a Home Main questions on topic: 1. What levels of human interaction is needed in a home? 2. How does changing a space/disruption of routine changes a person’s mindset? 3. How does a family hierarchy change within different spaces? 4. How/What can make a place feel like home/comfortable?
Page 11 | 01 | Pre-research on Home and Comfort
What is Comfort?
happy familiarity
private
Comfort safety
territorial free
Page 12 | 01 | Pre-research on Home and Comfort
Levels of Privacy & Socialising in a Home
Semi-Private Social
Dining Room
Living Room
Private
Kitchen
Balcony
Study Area
Bedroom
Bathroom
In the early thought processes, I have identified the levels of privacy and socialising in a home. By doing so, I am able to identify what activity can be done at home ranging from being in a group to alone. Comfort can be based on who is around you, being in a group of people may not necessarily let one be comfortable. Comfort can come in the form of being alone as well.
Page 13 | 01 | Pre-research on Home and Comfort
Seeking the Notions of Comfort in a Home
P1 Discomfort
P2 Family Comfort
P3 Personal Comfort
(Investigating discomfort through the living conditions of abuse)
(Investigating inbetween spaces and privacy)
(Creating a new domesticity)
Page 14 | 01 | Pre-research on Home and Comfort
02 | Part 1: Discomfort
The first part of the project is precedent-driven. Based on the films Marriage Story and Parasite, the first part of the project will be exploring how discomfort can come into the home through the living conditions of domestic abuse.
Domestic Violence Physical Sexual
Fear
Abuse?
Psychological
Involves
Who?
Spouses/ partners
Page 16 | 02 | Part 1: Discomfort
Parents
Harm Intimidation Emotional deprivation
Children
Siblings
Statistics taken from the Ministry of Social and Famiy Development
According to the Singapore’s Ministry of Social and Family Development, Singaporeans need to be more knowledgeable about domestic abuse in the country, and that there is a need to talk more about how the issue can be countered or dealt with. Hence, I wanted to explore and investigate whether designing for comfort can be effective for the home with the living condition of domestic violence.
Page 17 | 02 | Part 1: Discomfort
Lines in Parasite
Figure 14
Figure 15
Figure 16
The lines used in parasite can be seen subtlely following interior elements, lightings and even objects. These lines sort of define and differentiate the social class between the characters. These lines are not evident in the film and can only be understood upon further analysis.
Page 18 | 02 | Part 1: Discomfort
Physical and Emotional Space between Abuser and Victim
In this case for this project, the line is not just a line or a wall, the line is an invincible line that separates the physical and emotional space between abuser and victim
Developing a phobia
Abuser
Victim When abuse happens, the line is pushed towards the victim’s side, giving lesser and lesser space to breathe
Aloneness Happiness
Seeking victim Safety
Page 19 | 02 | Part 1: Discomfort
Who is the design for? Abuser
Victims
Understanding the victims Leaving a marriage is often complex when there are other commitments or dependants, especially children. Even if children are not directly abused, living and growing up under prolonged distressed environments have a psychological and emotional impact to them. Hence, it is hard for victims to seek for help and would rather keep their situations to themselves. Temporary or crisis shelters are already existing, but the effectiveness and extensiveness of usage is not maximised fully.
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The Narrative The Husband/Father
Financial consultant by day, occasional physical abuser by night. This is how Howard lives under the stress of being a financial consultant for 14 years, having to travel and meet different clients everyday. Howard’s character and habits: - Talkative and expressive - Workaholic: Works 9am-6pm either in office or elsewhere to meet clients - Goes for frequent night drinks with friends, colleagues and sometimes even clients - Returns home drunk every time - Abuses when he is drunk, especially his wife - Blinded by his own actions / does not know he is abusing
The Wife/Mother
Hardworking mother by day, victim and protector by night. This is how Clara lives in fear, protecting herself and fighting for her dear child every night.
Clara’s character and habits: - Hardworking and loving mother to Don - Housemaker - husband earns the money and she uses it for the family - Takes care of Don at home and goes to drop him off/pick him up from school - Designed the house according to her needs - Watches her husband’s movements very carefully, especially when he is drunk - Staying in the marriage for Don
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Concept Exploration Rage Room:
Comfort Room:
Living in Transparency:
House to have the Victims’ side and the Abuser’s side, separated by the Line. Victims’ Side to include escape routes and comfort room. Abuser’s side to include work room and rage room. Other ideas include living in transporency because walls are meant to give privacy, but in the case of domestic violence, walls trap victims and it becomes a prison for them. Page 22 | 02 | Part 1: Discomfort
Site: Home
The site is my own home. I stay in a terrace at Upper Bukit Timah area. The original house was built in 1965 and had only one storey, it has undergone
many
extensions
and
constructions to what it is today. The house now consists of six rooms with doors, three downstairs, three upstairs. A combined living-dining room downstairs and a living room upstairs. A dry and wet kitchen at the back, and a garden in front with the porch that extends all the way to the back as well. I live with my family, a total of 7 people in the house.
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PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
Lv 1
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
Lv 2 WET KITCHEN
DRY KITCHEN
LIVING
MASTER BEDROOM 2
LIVING
BEDROOM 2 BEDROOM 3
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
STUDY
DINING
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
BEDROOM 1
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
MASTER BEDROOM 1
Site: Home The reason why I chose my house to be the site is because all my thoughts about my project started from home, and because I am very familiar and GARDEN
comfortable with my home, which is what my project is all about. I think
PORCH
that it will actually be a challenge for me as well because I have lived here for 18 years, and have not once reimagined how my house would look like in another serious living condition. Page 24 | 02 | Part 1: Discomfort PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
Spaces Within
Page 25 | 02 | Part 1: Discomfort
Division PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
Lv 1
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
Lv 2 WET KITCHEN
DRY KITCHEN
LIVING
MASTER BEDROOM 2
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
STUDY
DINING
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
BEDROOM 1
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
MASTER BEDROOM 1
LIVING
BEDROOM 2 BEDROOM 3
The Line I identified where the ‘line’ is in the site. The partition separates the living and dining room, two of the most central and shared spaces in the house. GARDEN
Master bedrooms are beyond the line, nearer to the utilities in the house.
PORCH
Stairs leading to another central space upstairs also starts from the partition. In other words, this area is the main transitional space. Page 26 | 02 | Part 1: Discomfort PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
Living Room and Dining Room
Trasition from public to private - my family considers upstairs as a more private space while downstairs is more as a space to accomodate guests. Natural lighing shining into the house can be seen from standing at the partition.
Page 27 | 02 | Part 1: Discomfort
2D Zoning
CLOSE FRIENDS ONLY
DO NOT ENTER
You may enter
Lv 2 Rooms In-Out Garden Area House Outside Material Change No entertainment To gather
Linearity Linearity is based on the horizontal and vertical lines. The lines separates the spaces between inside and outside of the house and which spaces are
Outside
private or not. Lv 1
Page 28 | 02 | Part 1: Discomfort
2D Zoning
Lv 2 Usage
Storage
Usage and Storage Usage is based on who uses what space, and/or for a different purpose. For example, a bedroom has a division because either 2 people are sharing it or they serve a different purpose. Establishing storage spaces help to seek out parts that could be open to use or connected with other areas. Lv 1 Page 29 | 02 | Part 1: Discomfort
All-in-one Lv 1
Lv 2
The combinations of zoning with linearity, usage and storage spaces. This helps to identify where human interactions happen the most.
Page 30 | 02 | Part 1: Discomfort
Visualisation in 3D Lv 1
B
A
B
Lv 2 A
Section A
Section B
Slices into site After the clean-up of zonings on plan, exploring in 3D helps me to visualise which spaces can be used for hiding, escaping and which is suitable for what activity.
Page 31 | 02 | Part 1: Discomfort
Based on Slices PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
Lv 1 PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
Page 32 | 02 | Part 1: Discomfort
Lv 2
The Design
Outdoor Deck
Clara’s Space Comfort Room Shared Room
Waiting Area
Don’s Playground
Separation Room
Howard’s Space
Disguised as a fun and playful house Rage Room
for the kid during the day, this house turns into a danger zone for the victims as they run and hide from the drunk abuser.
Viewing Deck
The materials chosen for the abuser’s side is concrete as it has a raw and unfinished texture while the material on the victims’ side is wood with many other soft furnishings to give off a comfortable feeling. Users sort of strip away their work life when they enter the house, converting that raw Lv 1
Lv 2
work stress into comfort at home.
Page 33 | 02 | Part 1: Discomfort
Side platforms disguised as
Roofs made of soft fabric to
servicing and cleaning of
allow sliding from level 2
house can be used to escape
Wall climbing elements to
to roof
land safely disguised as rainwater pipe
‘Living in transparency’ as front view (abuser’s side) is made of glass and back view (victims’ side) is open to air
Page 34 | 02 | Part 1: Discomfort
Escape Routes
Every space is interlinked to another space so that one does not get trapped in a corner. Level 1: If the worse situation happens, the victims can climb over the small hill at the corner over to the neighbour’s, or escape via the drain behind the house. Level 2: Roofs are made of soft fabric to allow the victims to escape out of the windows from the second level, slide Lv 1 Perspective View
Lv 2
down and land safely.
Perspective View Page 35 | 02 | Part 1: Discomfort
1 Rage Room
2 Waiting Area
If the victim is locker up in the rage room, she can crawl out through the secret door that is connected to the cabinet at the waiting area.
Page 36 | 02 | Part 1: Discomfort
Hiding Spots
Level 1:
2
As the viewing deck has a one-way mirror, the abuser is unable to see the victims if they are in there. This
1
also gives the feeling as if the abuser is being watched by the public, not allowing him to do anything offensive. Victims are also able to hide in the cupboard as there is a secret passage out, and in the child’s play area where both mother and child can fit nicely inside. Level 2: Platforms at the sides can be walked on to access the roof. There is a small climbing pole in the small secret hiding spot beside the toilet to access Lv 1
Lv 2
to different levels.
Page 37 | 02 | Part 1: Discomfort
Intersection of Materials
Concrete
Soft Fabric
Wood
Ornamental Tiles
Sandstone Tiles
Wood in concrete - wooden partition doors to give a soft finishing to divide the space between the work space and TV room. The viewing deck also has wooden flooring to complement the plants that are in the area. Concrete in wood - toilet and kitchen walls and floorings are made of concrete ornamental and sandstone tiles to give a delicate yet superior feel to the spaces.
Page 38 | 02 | Part 1: Discomfort
Overall Outcome The challenge to design a house for the abused is very limited due to the sensitivity of the topic. This project was very precedentdriven leading to an uncertain outcome. Abuse should not be seen as a game and victims suffer from abuse in various ways and different degrees of trauma or phobia may be inflicted on them. Even though the intention of how Singaporeans need to be more knowledgeable about domestic abuse in the country, and that there is a need to talk more about the issue on how it can be countered or dealt with, designing for (dis)comfort is not the suitable option for this topic. When someone is suffering from abuse, they should seek for temporary shelters. They could call a trustable friend or relative to stay temporarily. Below is a short list of helplines in Singapore that provide temporary shelters and places to seek for help.
1800-777-5555
6555 0390
Family Service Centres
1800-222-0000
Page 39 | 02 | Part 1: Discomfort
03 | Part 2: Family Comfort
As the site of the project remains, a new creative family moves into occupying the land. Through different approaches and views on comfort, this project aims to investigate inbetween spaces and privacy.
The Monteiros Jared Jodie
Chelsea Isabelle
Milton Page 42 | 03 | Part 2: Family Comfort
Karen
Kenan
1st Dialogue (Survey) Choose what “Comfort” means closer to you Physically Comfort: 1
Reasons for psychological
choosing
physical/
Well actually I feel like it’s both? I’m someone who still enjoys hugs from my parents and it makes me feel comforted. And I think being at home and makes me not feel stressed or emotionally drained, which isn’t something most people get. Peace of mind, peace of heart I can’t be physically comfortable unless the environment is psychologically comfortable
Psychological Comfort: 6
With whom do you most likely seek comfort in? Family: 2 GOD: 3
Alone: 0 Friends: 0
Its harder for me to get into a space of physical comfort compared to psychological, where I would think im able to manage my comfort better. I might not be able to change my physical space, but at least I can change my mental state. I believe that your body needs enough rest to function well. That’s comfort to me
Significant Other: 2
I feel like depending on my emotional state, a space can be either comfortable or uncomfortable to me. like it im unsettled, i can be in a 5-star hotel and still find something that irks me or doesn’t feel good about the space, and vice versa.
Page 43 | 03 | Part 2: Family Comfort
2nd Dialogue (Better understanding on wants and needs) - Older siblings want to move out but cannot afford rent - Develop independence before moving out - They want to start a company to have different creative or artistic experiences as a family - The house could have extensions for creative collaborations - Prefer natural lighting over artificial lighting - Take 5-6 images of favourite spaces/object/furniture in their current home
Page 44 | 03 | Part 2: Family Comfort
What kinds of furniture/objects do you definitely need in your home space?
Milton (Father) - Aquarium and garden
Karen (Mother) - Mood lighting
Page 45 | 03 | Part 2: Family Comfort
Jared (1st child) - Laptop with internet
Page 46 | 03 | Part 2: Family Comfort
Chelsea (2nd child) - Not furniture per se, just space and scented candles
Kenan (3rd child) - Coffee machine
Jodie (4th child) - Full-length mirror, plants and resting chair/hammock
Isabelle (5th child) - Fairy Lights, paintings/drawings, sound system for music
Page 47 | 03 | Part 2: Family Comfort
The idea of “Stay together but not together” Leads to the project aim: To investigate the in-between spaces between the individuals and family while giving them the comfort and privacy they desire.
Page 48 | 03 | Part 2: Family Comfort
Project Aim
Investigating spaces around them Jared
Chelsea
Kenan
Jodie
Parents
Isabelle
Taking apart wants and needs of 5 individuals/ children and parents but still under one roof
Including spaces that surrounds them when they are together Page 49 | 03 | Part 2: Family Comfort
Living Room Unique Individualised Spaces From Collages Based on the collages, individual spaces are conceptualised based on their wants and needs. The living room and combined dining and kitchen spaces are reorganised while the other individual spaces are redesigned.
Current living room
Collage
Where they all gather: - Mainly for family activities/prayers - Guests’ invitation space - Parents’ favourite spot to lounge, enjoy wine and company
Page 50 | 03 | Part 2: Family Comfort
Combined Dining and Kitchen
Current separate kitchen and dining
Collage
For the fun of doing together: - For cooking (family activity that they enjoy) together - East access to food after cooking - Common breakfast spot is the high table
Page 51 | 03 | Part 2: Family Comfort
Milton’s Garden
Current garden
His sanctuary: - PLANTS/GREEN/NATURE - Space for relaxation - To have aquarium and customised birdcage
Page 52 | 03 | Part 2: Family Comfort
Collage
Jared’s Space
Current shared room
Collage
For a musician: - From a band and enjoys jamming with friends - Furniture are movable with wheels that can be locked in place to allow easy movement within the space - Space can be made for band practice and yoga, his other hobby
Page 53 | 03 | Part 2: Family Comfort
Chelsea’s Space
Current room
Collage
For a dance instructor: - Dance instructor that desires a space to conduct private classes - Does not need a particular object or furniture, enjoys resting and be in comfort in her own room - Curtains to give privacy between her work life and her own space
Page 54 | 03 | Part 2: Family Comfort
Kenan’s Space
Current shared room
Collage
For a gamer: - Does not stay home most of the time (stays in school hall/dorm) - Transformable wall features for basic furniture that can be put up when he does not want to use
Page 55 | 03 | Part 2: Family Comfort
Jodie’s Space
Current personal outdoor space
Current shared room
Collage
For someone who enjoys peace and quietness: - Enjoys more outdoor spaces than indoors - Staying indoors is mainly to rest and sleep - Desires a full-height mirror to dress up
Page 56 | 03 | Part 2: Family Comfort
Isabelle’s Space
Current shared room
Collage
For someone who enjoys moods: - Enjoys more outdoor spaces than indoors - Indoors is mainly to rest and sleep - Wants: Some sort of music and sound system
Page 57 | 03 | Part 2: Family Comfort
Mini Shared Space
Current outdoor space
Collages
Just for us: - Shared space for the sisters - Studying spot for Jodie as she prefers to do work and get inspiration outdoors - Mini lounging area only for close relatives and friends
Page 58 | 03 | Part 2: Family Comfort
Detailed Designs
Detailed designs are needed to investigate the spaces in-between the individual spaces. They will help to bridge the access points and circulation within the house. The detailed designs are inspired by several precedents.
Page 59 | 03 | Part 2: Family Comfort
Precendents on Ramps/Slopes
Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum by Frank Lloyd Wright Ramp creates a procession in which a visitor experiences art displays along the walls as they climb upwards towards the sky. Overlooking open atrium allows interaction of people on different levels. This could apply to the artistic side of the creative family by walking up the ramp while Figure 17
appreciating their displayed artworks along the walls of their house.
SJ Building by Takao Shiotsuka Atelier Wineshop on the ground floor, a public canteen on second floor and a grandmother’s house on the third floor. Spirally stacked and regarded as independent spaces but is still an overall house. Cons for this precendent is that in order to get to the highest floor, one has to walk up the ramp and Figure 18 Page 60 | 03 | Part 2: Family Comfort
circulate around the entire second floor as there are no staircases.
Application of Ramps
Using the circular movement to form a rotational pattern
Converting arrows into ramps
Design Intentions: - Main unconventional circulation path that encourages slowing down of movements at home, where users are suppose to rest and relax - Lead to separate entrances to spaces which fufills older siblings’ desires of living alone/minimal interaction - Taking the house as a museum, display the artworks of the creative family
Page 61 | 03 | Part 2: Family Comfort
Application of Ramps
1
2
1. Creating and multiplying circulation in plan 2. Adding in conventional circulation spaces to connect and allow larger access routes (instead of having to walk around the whole middle floor to get to the highest floor like SJ Building) 3. Applying on plan (to be applied on frontal half of house to allow users to experience the house views while being both inside and outside instead of 3
just walking around the house like SJ Building) Material of ramp is concrete that was retained and converted from Part 1
Page 62 | 03 | Part 2: Family Comfort
“Stay together but not together” To investigate the in-between spaces between the individuals and family while giving them the comfort and privacy they desire.
The idea of ramps could be easily achieved figuratively to form the “stay together” part, however the in-between spaces are not fully taken apart and the question of privacy in these spaces are still questioned. Breaking down of walls was a way to dissect these individual spaces.
Page 63 | 03 | Part 2: Family Comfort
Precedent on Movable Brickwalls
Pattern Extraction:
Dining Room:
Figure 19
Figure 20
Usage of brickwalls came originally from their current house
Saadat Abad Residential Building by Mohsen Kazemiandard Rotating brickwall facade that acts as a skin to the building and to create a strong connection between the interior and exterior spaces. The client wanted interior spaces to have open views in spite of reaching adequate privacy.
Page 64 | 03 | Part 2: Family Comfort
Brickwall Patterns
Bricks allow visibility at a certain level
When covered with an opaque material, it blocks off all visibility and light, but giving more privacy
How can privacy be controlled in small spaces?
Page 65 | 03 | Part 2: Family Comfort
MASTER BEDROOM
Application of Brickwalls (Interior spaces)
Page 66 | 03 | Part 2: Family Comfort
ODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
DINING/KITCHEN
LAUNDRY
GARDEN
High chair dining space beside the ramp While sitting on the high chair, there is view of the garden beyond the ramp that one can enjoy. However, when there are guests walking up and down the ramp, one can slide the wooden doors to obtain more privacy while eating.
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VE
Dance studio walls are
designed
to
encourage onlookers to view
UCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
Application of Brickwalls (Exterior)
CHELSEA
Covering the dance studio, from private to public While keeping the idea of people looking into a dance studio, the brickwalls can slide up/down to change from a private to a public space and vice versa. Wooden blocks are not required behind the bricks as the brickwall itself acts a shell that provides partial privacy and allowing light to enter the interior space. Page 67 | 03 | Part 2: Family Comfort
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
Precedent on Decorative Blocks
Retained floor tile
Figure 21
Figure 22
Material: Ornamental cement tile to give a superior feel in Part 1
House for a Physicist by ATOMAA Focused on the idea of memory, the client wanted to change the living experience of the house while preserving history of it. The apartment holds a rather dark and unpleasant past. Materials chosen were to hold historic and aesthetic values. This can be applied to Part 2 as Part 1 has a dark and unpleasant past of abuse.
Page 68 | 03 | Part 2: Family Comfort
Original
Extraction
3D
Modular
Instead of directly using the original material like the precedent, more can be done to tap on and incorporate the creative characteristics of the family. A pattern is extracted out from the original material and converted into 3D to explore more on its usage with walls (breaking down of walls).
Page 69 | 03 | Part 2: Family Comfort
Original
Variations
Modular with colour exploration
Done in 1:1 Scale
More variations were extracted from the same original material and explorations were done on modularity and colours. The model made was 1:1 and the process was fun and engaging, suitable for the creative family as an activity.
Page 70 | 03 | Part 2: Family Comfort
Opaque material
Translucent yet opaque material
Just like the brickwalls, these decorative blocks can be placed with different materials. When there is an opaque material behind, privacy is obtained. However, no light is able to pass through.
Page 71 | 03 | Part 2: Family Comfort
Light and Shadow Exploration
Allows light to pass through and shadows to cast
Scan to see video
A translucent yet opaque material works well because it allows light to enter yet obtain privacy, and at the same time, casting various shadow patterns.
Page 72 | 03 | Part 2: Family Comfort
PRODUCED BY AN A
Application of Brickwalls (Exterior)
KENAN
Sun direction
As the house’s facade is exposed to sunlight at various timings, the decorative blocks that is part of the facade allows natural lighting to enter the house and cast various shadows at different timings. At the same time, small planters/parts of nature can be grown. As the front part of the house
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
Small openings allow light things to be hanged
GUEST ROOM
is viewed as a museum and working with the ramp idea, the decorative block walls can also display artworks of the family. One is able to view them while walking up the ramp.
Page 73 | 03 | Part 2: Family Comfort
Application of Brickwalls (Interior spaces)
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
JODIE
ISABELLE
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T VERSION
Wall in-between: What if they want to converse? The decorative blocks can form up as a wall divider that allows one to CHILL OUT / communicate, yet obtain the privacy desire. It can be closed off from STUDYthey SPOT both sides of the wall. The reason for questioning if they want to converse is because they are currently sharing a room and enjoy each other’s company from time to time.
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK S
Application of Brickwalls (Interior spaces)
KENAN
GUEST ROOM
Incorporating blocks into ‘where more space is needed’ Movable walls are functional to provide more space when needed. Decorative blocks that provides privacy and conversations can be incorporated into movable walls, small items and belongings can also be placed on the small openings.
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PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
MASTER BEDROOM
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
FAMILY ROOM
ISABELLE
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
MINI PANTRY
LAUNDRY
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
GARDEN
JODIE
JARED
DINING/KITCHEN
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
CHILL OUT / STUDY SPOT
CHELSEA KENAN
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
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Lv 2
Lv 3 PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
Lv 1
GUEST ROOM
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
Overall outcome
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04 | Part 3: Personal Comfort
With the idea of domesticity and fulfilling basic needs and secondary wants, a new domesticity will be explored to achieve personal comfort.
Initial Precedent from the precedent
2X
single person unit Figure 23
single amenity unit e.g. laundry, kitchen, media room
Urban Village Project by effekt Developing sustainable and afforadable homes, the modular units are designed for disassembly. Looking at personal comfort, I was looking at the single unit meant for one person to live in and whether a single unit of amenity could join and share between 2 people.
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Singapore VS Overseas
Taken from The Straits Times
Taken from ‘The changing determinants of UK young adults living arrangements’ by Juliet Stone
In Singapore, the government and HDB does not allow one below the age of 35 to own or rent a flat alone. However, in other countries like the UK, schemes like the Single Room Rent (SRR) are available for young adults who desire to have their own place. How can I bring this kind of scheme to allow Singaporeans to live alone but still under the law?
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Focused Precedent: Domestic Transformer by Gary Chang
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
new plan PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
old plan
Looking into working with apartment interiors in Singapore, this was a precedent that was done as a personal project to have personal comfort. Gary Chang converted his 3-room apartment into 24 different configurations to maximise the apartment’s entire area. He made use of movable walls and furniture while achieving comfort in his daily life. This made me question: does comfort have to come in 4 walls/a space itself? Or can it be achieved in just walls like Gary Chang? PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
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2X
single person unit comfort single amenity unit
Using the idea of just walls and with the diagrams from the initial precedent
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Dissecting Gary Chang’s Plans
personal space
personal space
amenities
amenities movable walls
Gary Chang pulls a wall to reveal a bathtub/spa area within the wall
Figure 24
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Thoughts on inhabiting the walls instead of inhabiting the space between 4 walls Afterall, one unit need to be shared between 2 or more people, whereby how will these walls separate and allow someone to live alone? Will there be a blurring of boundaries? Main challenge: Challenge on how to allow one to live alone in comfort, in a shared unit
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User Group and Site
Former NP Loft (90, 92, 94 Kismis Avenue)
Students
Basic needs for comfort:
Secondary wants for comfort:
- Sleeping
- Kitchen
- Eating
- Laundry
- Cleaning
- Hobbies e.g. gardening,
- Workspace/study space
gaming etc. Figure 25
Figure 26
The former Ngee Ann Polytechnic loft has 3 blocks of flats, 2 for students and 1 for staff. There are amenities like basketball and futsal courts in the compound. Access points include the linkbridge to NP and the nearby Beauty World MRT. In 2019, the flats have been returned to the SLA, and is currently vacant.
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Working to Change One Unit Following Gary Chang’s Plan Dissection
Existing plan
BEDROOM 1
TOILET
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
KITCHEN
MASTER BEDROOM LIVING ROOM TOILET
BEDROOM 2
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
personal space amenities PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION
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Design Thoughts and Further Opportunities
The layout seems restrictive and not flexible which was not the intention. The movable walls work to give privacy and different configurations to the spaces but the amenities feels stuck in position. There is also a lack of homeliness as how would one feel when entering this place they call home. Looking at the process models, there is also a lot to play and configure with height. At 3.3m, there are oppotunities to double up some spaces.
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Final Design
Bathroom
Bathroom
Living/ Study
Living/ Study Bed
Kitchen/ Laundry
Living/ Study
Bed
Kitchen/ Laundry
Living/ Study
Bed
Bed Balcony
Balcony Bathroom
personal space
Bathroom
amenities movable walls
Keeping the layout simple allows more flexibility within the spaces. Grey areas double up as study areas/storage areas.
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Doubled Up Bed/Study Area
Bathroom
Living Bed
Living Kitchen/ Laundry Bed Balcony Bathroom
Giving users the freedom to choose Having an open layout, with a space allocated for the bed area, allow users to choose where they want their bed to be. The space could double up as a study area or a storage area. This gives them the freedom of choice and achieve the comfort they desire.
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Hobby Wall
Bathroom
Living Bed
Living Kitchen/ Laundry Bed Balcony Bathroom
To embrace the atmospheric quality of home comfort The wall right at the entrance may be decorated and furnished according to the likings and hobbies of the user. Part of domesticity is related to objects and materials. People have a sense of belonging to their objects and like it naturally, this also defines a person’s taste. One can feel the homeliness and comfort around their objects in the house. Page 91 | 04 | Part 3: Personal Comfort
Shared Kitchen and Laundry Area
Bathroom
Living Bed
Living Kitchen/ Laundry Bed Balcony Bathroom
Secondary Wants Not everyone cooks and does their own laundry daily. As students are mostly preoccupied with studying or hanging out with family and friends, kitchen and laundry spaces become secondary wants. This space also serves as the blurring of boundaries between the two sub-units. If there are interactions between the 2 users, they would most likely occur here. Page 92 | 04 | Part 3: Personal Comfort
Movable Wall
Bathroom
Living Bed
Living Kitchen/ Laundry Bed Balcony Bathroom
Flexibility of space Walls serve to divide up spaces and give privacy. Movable walls give the additional feature of giving flexiblity to the space. When more space is needed, the wall can be easily pushed to be kept aside. When more privacy and space division is needed, the wall can be pushed to however the user wants it to be at. It can also double up as a storage, mini study area and dining table that can be kept away easily. Page 93 | 04 | Part 3: Personal Comfort
Configurations
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Scan to see video
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05 | Post-evaluation on Home and Comfort Abuse Everyone Physical Aspect
Conflicts occur
staying at Lack of space
more
home
Divorce
The Lines
Cultures & Practices
COVID-19
Marriage Story
Family Hierachy
Domesticity
Precedents
Objects
Parasite
Identity
The House Creature
HOME COMFORT
Comforts
Physical Comfort Luxury Physical ease
Convenience
Psychological Comfort
Relaxation Control
Wellbeing
Calm and safe
Measure of satisfaction Support & Encouragement
something that is easily relatable
Inner peace
lack of space or communication with
Space itself Shape
Spatial Comfort
Familiarity
Privacy
Security Aloneness VS
Thermal Comfort
Visual Comfort
Companionship
Togetherness
Objects Materials
yet hard for some people due to the others. Discomfort, family comfort
Form Functions
The topic of home and comfort is
and personal comfort were explored in this project to develop a clearer understanding of how comfort is significant in a home. Following in this chapter, are series of personal
Tactile Comfort
Acoustic Comfort
Contributory Comfort
thoughts after the project.
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Part 1: Discomfort In the first part of the project, living in discomfort was being shown when someone has to run away from their own home. This may cause discomfort when someone has to listen to the story as well. Instead of creating a hypothetical home for the abuser and victim, more should have been done on the part of comfort for the victim(s). I hope that this part of the project reaches out to let Singaporeans be more knowledgeable about domestic abuse in our country. Victims of all ages are encouraged to seek for help and medical/psychological treatment, and people who victims come to look for should not be turning a blind eye. Abusers need to be aware of the consequences they will have to face and that they themselves should seek for psychological treatment if needed.
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Part 2: Family Comfort In the second part of the project, I wanted to work with a family to see the different views on comfort while living with each other. I approach my friend’s family for this and not my own family because I wanted the dialogue sessions to be more objective and honest. The answers that they gave were very insightful and engages me to want to know more, this led to the series of collages and illustrations done for each person to understand what each of them specifically likes. I also explored a few outcomes unexpectedly, initially thinking there would only be one. I really enjoyed the process of making the models and see what works and what does not. Another fun part was having a few dialogue sessions with the family, and showing them my work and they really liked it. All in all, it was an enjoyable part of the project and process of understanding family comfort and what it means to really call a space home, because everyday we are all going home to our families.
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Part 3: Personal Comfort For the first two parts of the project, I worked with a hypothetical family and a real-life family, hence for the third and final part of the project, I wanted to do something related to personal comfort. At the beginning of the project, there was a series of thoughts about having my personal space at home with my family, and how I came to the conclusion of co-living and inhabitation with others being difficult. The main reasons were having limited space, especially during the pandemic situation, which resulted in movements becoming harder even at home. I questioned myself how can one have a private space while having to live with others. In part 2 of the project, the older siblings of the family have thoughts on moving out, but due to societal norms and financial issues, they chose not to. Bringing this into the third part of the project, I wanted to create a space where one could live alone in comfort with all the things they like around them. I think this part of the project was quite successful because I myself, can imagine living in the space that I designed for personal comfort. Some young adults do want to experience living alone in Singapore and I provided this alternative for them, while still working under the government and HDB law. Overall for this part of the project, it was a challenging but interesting topic to delve into. I believe that personal comfort is not only about having things you like around you, but also given the freedom of choice to achieve what one desires.
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Image References Figure 1: screenshot from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0PRZlM6tFs Figure 2: https://www.theguardian.com/film/2020/jan/31/parasite-director-bong-joon-ho-korea-seems-glamorous-but-the-young-are-in-despair Figure 3: https://thesouloftheplot.wordpress.com/2017/03/08/in-the-mood-for-love/ Figure 4: https://www.cinema76.com/home/2019/10/2/best-horror-movies-of-the-decade Figure 5: https://www.bustle.com/p/kims-conveniences-millennial-cast-explains-how-the-canadian-sitcom-subverts-stereotypes-in-a-real-way-17898589 Figure 6: https://www.tvinsider.com/727145/modern-family-death-whats-next-season-10/ Figure 7: https://www.scenegoodies.com Figure 8: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/482659285035820073/ Figure 9: https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/25100/home-alone-family-fun-edition/ Figure 10 & 11: screenshots from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0PRZlM6tFs Figure 12 & 13: screenshots from https://www.viu.com/ott/sg/en-us/vod/251692/Parasite-Uncut Figure 14, 15 & 16: screenshots from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQ4RXx7HhrM Figure 17: https://www.guggenheim.org/ Figure 18: https://www.archdaily.com/955590/sj-building-takao-shiotsuka-atelier Figure 19 & 20: https://www.archdaily.com/907202/saadat-abad-residential-building-mohsen-kazemianfard-fundamental-approach-architects?ad_source=search&ad_ medium=search_result_all Figure 21 & 22: https://www.archdaily.com/955892/house-for-a-physicist-atomaa Figure 23: https://www.effekt.dk/urbanvillage Figure 24: screenshot from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WB2-2j9e4co Figure 25 & 26: screenshots from Google Maps