CAPSULE HOUSE
Future Multi-generation Capsule House (2017/18)
Architecture For Society of Knowledge (ASK) + Information Based Architecture (AI) joint programme RoboStudio class
by team: Paulina Rodzeń, Joanna Ogińska, Beata Pająk, Agnieszka Krudowska, Michał Gosk
Architecture For Society of Knowledge (ASK) + Information Based Architecture (AI) joint programme RoboStudio class
by team: Paulina Rodzeń, Joanna Ogińska, Beata Pająk, Agnieszka Krudowska, Michał Gosk
Main visualisation
(Why is it changing so rapidly? See below)
(Why is it changing so rapidly? See below)
Future generations will have to face global problems that are now only emerging. Increasing population, lower space amount available for urbanisation and per person, resources shortages, growing percentage of elderly people among society and rocketing problem of loneliness are only few of challenges of the upcoming future. Surprisingly, idea of multi-generational housing that debates conventional single housing units approaches all of them.
Having in mind the long-lasting but quite expiring idea of the multi-generational house, we tried to look wider, and generalise it to the extend that can answer both issues of elderly and future of the world itself. New life and new "family" - group of people that cooperate because it is quite convenient but also simply like each other are questions to be answered. Our design is thought as a way of surviving but not by sacrificing connections between people. Every member of the group can maintain individual space for their own, while living together with their closest. One capsule can accommodate up to two person, like a couple or a marriage, but multiple capsules can be connected through the entrance module, to each other. Every capsule consist of several functional modules, all of them creating an accessible, open space.
Always asking ourselves about the possible future, human life and development in it, and being asked to think especially about the future elder people, had forged in us specific and very complex mix of quite different to each other sources. Starting from the human(e) body - the ultimate source, reason but in the same time aim of our design, always inspiring and demanding more from us, we had went through the more and less specific forms of indwelling like log cabins, little houses and allotment gardens and had not forgotten the important and pop-cultural references and visions of the future. Therefore human body, human history but also human hopes and fears had lied at the cornerstone of this project.
Future presents itself as a dangerous times. Uncertainty of the future is one of the strongest depressing factors of our times. Dark visions of no space, polluted earth and air, fear of the future similarly as painful as the regrets driven from the human history of horror and trauma throughout history are asking for radical in its purity and in the same time very understanding and humane design. Not forgetting about anyone. Not leaving anyone out of it.
Proposed Design
(localisation exemplary)
As an effect we came upon with the idea of un_earthed capsule-like mobile and changeable structure, that can be quite freely compiled into bigger neighbourhood and city like structures, to be set in any, even truly harsh conditions of the possible future - in space and time when any kind of "outdoor activity" can be quite difficult to deal with. It will not be the end of the world if we are going to survive it. Should not we be prepared?
Plan and section
(exemplary - changeable)
Plan of the Capsule
(zoomable)
(zoomable)
Section through two capsules
(section line shown in the plan above)
(section line shown in the plan above)
How does it work? - Principle of operation
Doors Module Scheme
In-between Capsules Connectivity Schemes
Functional Modules Relation Scheme
All functional modules are designed especially with possibility of adjustment to user defined ergonomics in mind. Some parts of modules are movable, turnable and in many ways adjustable. They can shift form or height due to users needs that can change over the time or while guest or other inhabitant needs them to do so. Pleasant, streamline shape is a key to safe senior and kids environment - exactly like in Gil Penalosa's 8 80 city rule - what is good for people aged 8 and 80 will be good for everybody.
Sizes and Connections schemes
Capsule can change its shape due to the inhabitants needs. Minimal living space of the capsule is around 28 square meters. Shape forming is possible thanks to a central node - a core - hidden under the floor and between the ceilings foldable layers. Elastic membrane material is stretched on stable and rigid functional modules (e.g. kitchen or bathroom) and can change shape up to 150%
All materials made by the author, except stated elsewhere [group work with co-authors named in descriptions of the projects]
All rights reserved, Michał Gosk, 2024.
All rights reserved, Michał Gosk, 2024.