The spatial organisation has been simplified and reduced to only one level. This act of diminishing the volume is a method to reduce the means for the construction and a self-imposed limitation that increases the potential for a highly flexible house.
The plant nursery, with its arrangement ruled by the existing on-site trees, generates a system of hidden and exposed outdoor spaces accessible through vegetal protected pathways.
These pockets (outdoor spaces) besides the existing trees, are either to be meeting points or spaces filled with crop for vegetables and fruits.
The parking can eventually be equipped during summer time with the minimum of elements essential to transform its sealed surface into a temporary playground for sport activities. Sun-proofed and resting spots will occur by using the system of the plant nursery.
The grid and the footprint area (160m2) of Petite Maison have been maintained. As well as the size and the position of the Compact Unit (Residential) while the interior organisation of the Petite Maison has been adapted to the exterior features of the project.
The Compact Unit is to be split or discharged of items by a dominant sliding element. Analogous to the Swiss Knife’s concept, this element, by sliding and expanding, could simultaneously be limit, safe box, partition, storage, bed and table. The fixtures meant for food and drink’s preparation will be facing the forecourt and the plant nursery, and it will be able to transform into a bar for the events to be hosted.
Petite Maison expands the MSA’s forecourt by leaning the exterior walls between the Compact Unit and the Plant Nursery. The access is now singular and therefore of a higher importance. As Petite Maison opens, the first Patio Unit has as central meeting attraction, which could become an open fireplace.
As the structure has been lowered, the terrace of Petite Maison is designed by cutting the 2nd roof and setting the prefab concrete slabs on the primary structural elements, at the same height with the ceiling of the Compact Unit. As consequence, the cut in the light structure of the roof becomes a safety limit for the terrace.
Underneath the terrace, the space, framed with 3m folding elements, is ruled by another dominant sliding element of different qualities: limit, partition, storage and screen.
The (2nd) Patio, is doubled in size and extended on the forecourt. A man-made glade is designed by framing this extension with the plan nursery.
See you soon,
Carole, Dragos, Sophie, Carlo, Andras, Christoph, Margot !
NEW : Seminar on Circularity from April-June 2021 at uni.lu
We are asked to prepare for the first year Master students in the Master in Architecture a seminar on Circularity, in relation to our Petite Maison. Four main themes have been defined being part of our ongoing research:
1.Flexibility in architecture – On the conditions, benefits and limits of flexible and multipurpose spaces
2.Economic models for building circular – On the economic models in which the building elements, products and the materials can be financially acquired and how these models could become sustainable models for all parties involved.
3.Deconstruction and Reusability – On the capacities of the materials for being reused at their best, by fixing them in a removable manner, by keeping them as authentic as possible, be finding the right dimensions, be making inventories, extracting and stocking materials in an appropriate manner.
4.Urban Forestry and Urban Farming – On how the quality of the urban life can be improved and how the ecological issues and climatic damages can be fixed through increase of forestation, including urban forestry and urban agriculture.
All the best, Carole and Dragos