QUICK STUDY: MICRO UNIT
In this short study I explored the idea of dwelling at its minimum. In order to achieve successful dwelling I first defined what "dwelling" was to me and from there tried to illustrate that idea. I defined dwelling as an individuals "personal piece of the surrounding city". So to design my micro unit I began to look at the concept of a city. Even though this microunit was completely fictional and not set in any real site, I used the organization of New York City and the typical city block typology to influence my design. In NYC there is a system of avenues and streets that make up circulation. The avenues are the longer, more primary axis of circulation where the streets are the secondary axis of circulation. I then didvided the 12'x30' unit into a grid made up of streets and avenues. These streets and avenues formed the system of primary and seconday circulation as well as the "blocks" within this unit.
From there I considered the idea of city blocks and of the alphabet building typology that is common throughout NYC. I designed pieces of furniture that mimicked this idea. From above, these pieces of furniture were reminiscent of buildings but I also made the pieces vary in size and height so the section of the apartment was reminiscent of a city skyline.
Because of the tiny size of this apartment each element had very specific functions. I did my best to utilize every inch of these pieces so from every side they had a purpose and no space was wasted.
I also took the concept of "pop-up shops" and integrated that into my design. Throughout the city the concept of pop-up or temporary shops or stands is very common. I used this idea and made many pieces of furniture flexible so no space was wasted. For example, in the kitchen piece there are places where boxes would move up from within the piece of furniture, displaying an appliance. When that appliance wasn't needed it would go back down into the counter top allowing for usable counterspace. Another example is in the bedroom/living room area where there is a classic piece of flexible furniture, the futon. The futon is set across from a projector screen which unrolls from within one column and attaches to the next. This allows for TV or movies to be projected from above the futon on to this screen, making the area both a sleeping area as well as a TV area. Lastly, there is a space in which a table comes up from within the floor. A table is an important element if anyone ever wishes to entertain, yet can be very inconvenient if not always being used. Each of these elements work together to maximize the space and enhance its efficiency.
