The main idea that my XS Housing Aggregation stems from is the movement of masses to create space around and between them. In doing this, different levels of privacy and community are created.
The form of my unit comes from the deconstruction and reconstruction of the traditional rooms of a house. The bedroom, bathroom, kitchen and living spaces are separated and stacked, and by adding a method of circulation- the stair/hall – space is created between them. This creates the fifth space, which is an outdoor central terrace on the second level above the kitchen.
When it comes to making the space around the terrace, having the stair wrap around and “open up” by using glass makes it feel larger, but still private. Continuing this lightness of the stair enclosure can act as fenestration for the unit itself. The glass lets in light, with screening for privacy around the outside, while enclosing the center. There is a clear contrast between the stair and the main spaces, as the light materials of glass and metal wrap around the heavy main blocks with dark stone veneer.
The site is designed in a similar fashion. Units are clustered around a central courtyard/garden, but still allow for access to the program essentials and views of the outside. The units all enter from the center of the site, creating a consistent feeling of inclusiveness for the residents. The cantilevers and adjacency of units create small entry and secondary spaces, and the two breaks in unit clusters show a clear method of circulation for entry to the site itself from the alley or Wallace Street.
Hathaway Section - Spring 2020 