Notes #13: Compression

Hejduk's proposal for separating the house into basic units, each of an essential simplified purpose, has presented some interesting problems. I interpreted the principle for this methodology as being a device to better understand and design for the specific requirements of the units themselves and how they relate. Consequently some units have an abundance of space whereas others seem to be severely lacking.

The unit size for my clients dwelling is 2000x2000mm, and in the units housing the bath sink, the bathtub, the shower, and the toilet, this amount of space seems vast. In contrast, the units housing the kitchen sink, the kitchen stove, the dining table and chair, the refridgerator, the sleeping bed, and the study table and chair are cramped, almost crowded by the items themselves.

The original grouping of elements into their associated, or, closely related uses and then separating these groups brought about the idea that these units are growing along a single line, but then become deformed in their growth. An over-excitement in growth between the single unit and then the cluster of 4 would breed an abundance, and then a flaw in the growth from the cluster of 4 to the cluster of 7 would have some negative effect. It seems now that the amount of space has presented a very subtle narrative to explain the associations between these clusters of units in this adaptation of the dwelling.

Re-inforcement
The association between the internal layout of the units and the dividing line/wall is quite a difficult one to consider. Since the dividing wall's original purpose was contradictory, to serve as a corridor to feed the units, it seems appropriate to use it in the same manner in this design, though it is now more of a threshold between each unit.

The spatial arrangement of these units could be used to reinforce or disguise the connective properties of the dividing wall, whether it is associated with the internal plan or disconnected from it. Each unit can have a principle wall, where the service it houses is located, similar to a servery wall. Each unit can also choose which direction its functions should address, the location of seating, the orientation of devices. This solution for interior may inhibit several other design considerations, like the association between interior and exterior, relations between units and circulation paths.