project_2: minima

These are the four pages of my final presentation. Note: i have not included any text for the blog page.

project_2: minima

The next project was Minima. Once again i had to take into account human dimensions,
generation of space and its geometric aspects, and the relationships between body and object and space. Accomodating for one person, my living capsule had to cater for a shower, toilet, eating, sleeping and study space, and a kitchenette.


This was an early sketch of what i hoped the design would turn out to be. The following image is my final design, propped into a standard city landscape.


In the kitchenette, i included unique gadgetry to enable minimal space used, such as a study space that is attached to a track which allows it to be stored away into the kitchenette benchtop.

project_1: tablinum

This project consisted of designing a sleeping/working enclosure for 1 person within the Waterfront Atrium using only 130 no. 450mm (long) x 225mm (wide) x 150mm (deep) concrete blocks and 1 piece of 2.4m x 1.2m x 12mm piece of structural plywood.

The image to the right is my floorplan, showing the entire atrium, the bottom right hang corner was where i decided to locate my tablinum.

I had to present a plan, two sections and perspective drawings for the waterfront as well as my design of the tablinum. To ensure i am achieving minimal space, i had to explore human and furniture dimensions.

This image depicts an elevation of my tablinum beside a standard human figurine, which assisted me in calculating the necessary space for accomodation.

First Minina poster

TABLINUM POSTERS

Minima Design Process

Here is my basic design process poster.

Various images that have inspired me

Inspiration for collapsible furniture to be used in the unit

Working through the Final design

The Idea behind the concept, of the external door panels which play on ideas of ventilation and access of sunlight

Initial design of final concept

Final Concept development

ADVANTAGES OF THE CONCEPT:
i. ADABTILITY TO LOCATION
This design, of a cube with rotating doors is encompassed to utilise light and circulation throughout the unit. There is no fixed furniture (except for the wet areas) which allows the occupant to have complete control over the customisation of his/her work, sleeping or lounging space. For example the occupant is able to easily relocate rooms such as the bedroom to downstairs in the summer and upstairs in the winter, as well as relocating the study space to gain maximum use of natural light. The furniture used is collapsible or folding making rearranging and transport a lot easier.

ii. TIME SAVING
The units need only to be fitted with windows, doors and necessary openings as well as the necessary insulation. There is no need for beams and columns since they can be stacked together. Only minimal bracing for stability may be required and these would be handled by nuts and bolts connections.

iii. EASY ASSEMBLE AND DISMANTLE Assembly consists only of. bolting connections which makes the assembly and dismantling job easier. Since the external rotating doors operate on a smooth roller track there is no need for complex tracking systems to be installed.

iv. INEXPENSIVE
Rather inexpensive making it easier even for student and individuals to purchase them.

v. LONG LASTING
These units can last much longer than the anticipated five year duration of temporary stay for the dwellers (usual max length of course). In fact this housing could become semi-permanent as the duration of stay may exceed beyond that.

vi. DESIGN VARIETY
The concept of kit-of-parts allow for many variations of design. Very much like LEGO there are countless variations or combination of designs that can be employed. The face of the outer rotating doors can be changes with varying images, sheets the same size as the door can easily be snapped on and off giving it a greater personal feel as well as allowing it to further adapt to its location Architecture is supposed to provide shelter.

Why cant it be fun as well?

The final design, without graphics on the panels

Final with a display of how graphics can be Incorporated onto the panel

Gathering ideas

working through ideas

Refinement

Further refinement

poster design

Minima, a journal of the small and the potent

These are the initail drawings i developed which take you through to one developed idea that was not used, to the startings of the final design.

1ST IDEA

Various sketch up designs, showing perspective, plan and section.


Still on the 1st idea, playing around with external designs, aswell as transport ideas

This is a isometric of the first developed idea

Section of the 1st developed idea

Section with internal detail of 1st idea

Another section

Yet another section

Various initial designs



Close up of one of the designs

Another concept

A entry design idea