This project proposes an alternative mode of life enabled by a system composed of transformable kit of parts for an emerging entrepreneurial social class in Shenzhen, China.
In the past, architects have addressed such topics related to density and bottom up freedom in projects such as the spatial city by Friedman and fun palace by price. Although many were criticized as unbuildable utopian megastructures, I intend to reinvigorate some of the ambitions with realistic scenarios and at a smaller scale in our contemporary era.
The initial studies focused on the search for a system that allows for internal and external transformation. Compared to the triangular and tetrahedron frames, we found out that the orthogonal grid coupled with sliding elements provide the most extensive, responsive and generic transformations. We then developed it into a prototypical housing unit composed of a banded grid that forms four cores around the central area. Following the tests of sliding floors and walls, we concluded that a singular directional floor sliding system and double directional wall sliding system would be adequate to generate enough possibilities for adaptation and transformation.
