During the preliminary design process, I first attempted to establish a basic unit that would be used throughout the project and the different sites. Knowing that a vertical organization would be used over the typical horizontal plan, I looked at how stacking “blocks” would allow for the units to interact in different ways. 

 

By starting with the most common mobile home sizes, I found that the 14 foot by 42 foot by twelve foot units allowed for both individual adaptation and neighbor interaction. 

 

 The cladding system used would invovle different varieties of panels that would be easily attached to the main structure. These panels would include space for services and insulation to be included, and would inform the use of the space on the interior depending on the level of glazing it used. By keeping these panels “small” and inexpensive to manufacture there is an encouragement for individual adaptation by each user, and would be easily changed depending on the current needs of the occupant. 

 

Each unit explores different levels of privacy and community interaction. The units in the urban site are defined by the personal living room. Each unit has a private section, a public section, and a personal section. By defining these areas of living, the use of the space is further defined and specified by the user. Each section can be placed differently on their personal heiarchy depending on how much space each occupant feels that is needed. 

 

A couple with office jobs might place more emphasis on the private space and public space if they enjoy entertaining. A person who works at home or whose hobby requires more space can give precedence to the personal space by keeping it open or enclosing it. Freedom of adaptation is given to the owner, allowing them control over their house and surroundings.

 

These living sections are specifically designed for the occupant to fill themselves. In this way it is the individual user who drives the design and feel of the unit, but by keeping a regular unit and mehtod of cladding the units are able to fit together to create a communuity. 

 

The larger interaction of community is explored with the same approach. In the typical suburban context, it is the creation of a neighborhood community that drives the design. 

 

The larger idea of “living rooms” is approached in the same way, in looking at how the private home, the personal neighborhood block and then the larger neighborhood community areas are able to interact with each other. 

 

The same unit and cladding system is used to allow for the same level of adaptation and personalization within the home, and then that personalization is expanded beyond the home to look at the communioty at large.