FLEXIBLE DWELLING

Lucia CarmonaOIKODOMOSURL. La Salle

March, 2009

FLEXIBILITYAs human beings we are flexible

creatures. Years ago, our existance was based in our capacity to move, in fact, we own our survival to it. Nowadays being flexible is not only related to movement, but to change and adaptability.

(KRONENBURG,2007,10-14)NORTH AMERICA , TIPI

FLEXIBLE DWELLINGDwelling able to change along user’s needs, as a response to changing society.

In the first half of XX century a revolution happened, architects were concerned of answering human needs.

Architects as Le Corbusier created first examples of flexible dwelling.

25 years

+5 +10 +10

E.G. CHANGING SOCIETY.

+10

Dwelling is flexible when it is...

Adaptable

Transformable

Perfectible

Mobile

A room is for OR

A living room grows Bedroomdissapears

Dwelling is completed

Tools

Folding, pivoting, sliding elements.Mobile furniture.

Not specialized room (s). Equal in size and importance.

Provide general structures. E.g. Stairs.

Dwelling changes its locationPortable light structure.

ADAPTABLE/ VERSATILEAdequated space for different activities according to user’s needs.

CASA RIETVELD SCHRÖDERSUtrecht, Gerrit Rietveld,1924

Free plan space, where different activities can take place.

TRANSFORMABLE.Dwelling able to change in it’s physical configuration.

FUKOAKA HOUSINGSteven Holl,1989

Pivoting walls that opened or closed the space.

PERFECTIBLEWhen basic structure is done, expecting the rest to be completed.

CONJUNTO DE 93 VIVIENDASAlejandro Aravela, Chile,2007

Construction of basic elements of a dwelling leaving the rest to selfconstruction.

MOBILEDwelling designed to change its location.

LE PETIT MAISON DU WEEKENDOhio, Patkau architecs, 1998

Light folding wood structure, able to be transported.

POTENTIALITYFlexible dwelling should be defined by it’s potential; depending on

• Room’s and corridor’s size.

•Dinamics elements (doors, walls, furniture)

•Height.

•Multi-purpose space.

•Distributions.

•Free access to facilities.

•Possibility of diverse access...

FLEXIBLE DWELLINGToday’s society demands flexible dwelling, an architect can achieve flexibility with different approaches.

But, how can an architect avoid apparent flexibility instead of

dwelling potentiality?

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Bosma, K. HOUSING FOR MILLIONS. JOHN HABRAKEN AND THE SAR. Na i publishers. Belgica.2000

Garcia-Huidrobo, F. EL TIEMPO CONSTRUYE. España.2008

Kronenburg, R. FLEXIBLE. Blume. España. 2007

Monteys, X. Fuerte P. CASA COLLAGE. Ed. G.Gili. España.2001

STEVEN HOLL, Thames and Hudson. Inglaterra. 2003

www.housig21eu.net

http://www.alejandroaravena.com

http://www.patkau.ca/