Movable Spaces

By Patrick Szczecina

 With the ever growing population that in the past 100 years has increased from 1.5 – 6.1 billion¹, I noticed a drastic change in destruction of space, that being the environment.² As a population we are constantly growing, and with this growth we are destroying our nature in order for us to fit. This growth can be seen largely in cities where many people move to find opportunities. This leads to the problem of space, where we are pushing the borders of our cities and destroying the natural world. Construction of housing needs to be utilized, this be it with the use of materials, methods and environment or a combination of these. In the past fifty years advancement in technologies has led to the development of new building methods.³ Some methods consist of pre-fabricated buildings, sustainable builds or self-constructed builds. These methods focus their needs for reduced budget and sustainability, while not focusing on the users’ needs (interactions) or use of space. This in turn calls for a type of method that allows the user to interact with their building so they have control of what they wish.

Housing is difficult to find in cities, and when found they are not used efficiently in terms of layout. This issue has many aspects to it, therefore one solution is not going to fix it. However it may lend its way to creating new advancements in technologies and methods. The solution that is focused on in this thesis is that of architecture that is able to adjust to its surrounding within the city limits. A type of construction method or living area that is transformative in the idea of space customization and utilization. The focus can be headed towards transformative architecture or smart buildings, and the way they work with the sustainable and efficient use of space. This allows for humans to feel and work comfortably in the spaces they live in. The idea of the buildings being able to shift and rotate will allow for new spaces to be created. The “Methods” or “Joints” that can be utilized are that of rotations, sliding and swinging, which creats movement of spaces. The idea of sliding walls brings the aspect in which a new area is able to be created, be in indoor or out. Rotating walls can be used for their ability to open up views, close off areas or change circulation. The idea of rooms being able to rotate is a major aspect. Creation of a new space is able to come forth by having the previous area change location. This allows for a more conserved space that transform to create an area that can be utilized for different means.

  

² “Assessing Immigration, Population and Environment.” Why Files. University of Wisconsin, n.d. Web. 13 July 13, 2015.

¹ “World Population Growth.” Our World In Data. US Census Bureau, n.d. Web. 13 July 13, 2015

³  Wilson, Michael T. "Williambraham.net | Ecology, Technology, and Design." Williambraham.net » Building Technology: 'Steel as Required' N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Aug. 2015.

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