Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
DE MONTFORT UNIVERSITY
FACULTY OF ART, DESIGN & HUMANITIES
LEICESTER SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE
ARCH3413
Architectural Space and behavioural patterns:
Mobius House by UN Studio as an architectural
investigation of the relationship between Space
and Organism.
Anna Maria Bourli
P11285032
Session 2015-2016
STATEMENT OF ORIGINALITY
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previously submitted for any other award at this or any other institution.
Title
Architectural Space and behavioural patterns:
Mobius House by UN Studio as an architectural
investigation of the relationship between Space
and Organism.
By
Anna Maria Bourli
Abstract
This essay discusses the role of spatial elements as a dynamic
phenomenon, one that engages and enhances the individual experiences
within a building. A case study is presented, one that is analysed and
evaluated on whether it meets the requirements of the client, how have
the architects approached the notion of space and what is the significance
of such approach. The research will attempt to evaluate what theories and
methodologies emerge from the particular architectural methodology and
what are the connecting philosophies and concepts that sufficiently
explain and support the idea of creating spaces that exist as a
consequence of the behavioural patterns within them.
Introduction
Back in 1993, a young couple hired the Dutch architect Ben van Berkel
and his colleague Caroline Bos - both leaders of the firm UN Studio - and
instructed them to design "a house that will be recognized as a reference
in terms of renewal of the architectural language." Almost six years later,
the architect responded to the wishes of the customers delivering a house
that was based on the studies of a German mathematician of the
nineteenth century.
Ben van Berkel realized that the new architectural language he was
required to introduce would be a direct consequence of the type of life the
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inhabitants of the house would follow. The main idea consisted of two
people going through their own paths but share certain moments, possibly
by exchanging their roles at certain points. Consequently, the house
should be a dynamic and consistent vessel that would include and
enhance the various stages of the individual activities of each family
member within the same structure: work, sleep, socializing, family life,
and even the time of loneliness that is needed for an individual. Therefore,
the key ideas behind the successful development of the project were time
and duration. These were very important concepts to be considered
during the design development and, later, influence the way of perceiving
the house and its entities from different points of view.
Considering the above, the architect developed a bold, architectural
interpretation of the Mobius strip, the diagram studied by the astrologer
and mathematician August Ferdinand Mbius (1790-1868). Berkel
expanded the idea of the Mobius strip into an integrated design
methodology that would include and provide for the program of the
inhabitants. By giving the Mobius band a spatial quality, the architect
eventually provided a house that incorporates the programme seamlessly,
both in terms of circulation and structure. Furthermore, the movement
through this concrete loop follows the pattern of one's day activities.
Organised in three levels, the loop includes two studios (one on either side
of the house for the respective professions), three bedrooms, a meeting
room and kitchen, storage and living room and a greenhouse on the top,
all intertwined during a complex voyage in time. This is a house that
spatially enhances the program, the movement and structure, releasing
the idea of space from the restricted, simplified concept of a place to
exist.
All the above are materialized through concrete and glass (Fig. 2-3). These
are the basic materials that are distributing the qualities (light, views) that
are necessary to enhance the user experience and realise the concept
idea. More specifically, the fluid use of concrete and glass throughout the
building has created a series of spaces that flow into one another and are
linked by ramps and steps. Concrete is also used for furniture and fittings,
which emerge from walls and floors, but are detailed as well so they give
the impression that they are floating in space. Equally important is the
relationship established with the surrounding landscape. The spatial and
structural description of the house is interesting as a new type of design
approach to the private viewpoints and experiences of the inhabitant.
With its low and elongated outlines, the house provides a link between the
different features of its surroundings. Structurally, the buildings form
appears to be stretched in an extreme way and through an extensive use
of glass walls, the house is able to incorporate aspects of the landscape.
From inside the house, it is as if the inhabitant is taking a walk in the
countryside. The crystalline, angular forms of the house reach out into the
natural setting. This enhances the experience of the user, blurring the
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Fig.2
Interior
lounge
Fig.3 Interior
corridor
Fig.
4.
2002 (BOMB Magazine) about the process he engaged himself into for
Mobius house; Its as if time was seamless, where you can walk into the
landscape through morning into the afternoon and then into the evening,
and the sound and the light walks with you, or against you. And where you
always have what we call the kaleidoscopic fusion of the landscape into
the house, which generates the feeling less of living in a house than of
living in an environment.
Fig.5
Fig.
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Fig.6 (above), demonstrates the constant loop and interlocking pathways
in Mobius House deriving from the mathematical model of the Mobius
strip. The constant flow, the main characteristic around which the whole
concept and structure were developed, is evident in diagrams (Fig.4-5, 7),
plans (Fig.8) and sections (Fig.6).
Fig.
8
Fig.
Conclusion
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UN Studios success for the Mobius House lies initially in the adaptation of
a loop that is representative of eternal movement and circulation in real
time and its adjustment in a coherent architectural language. This project
is an important symbol for architectural innovative methodology regarding
the approach of spatial perception by the user. The experience of real time
as being a rhythmic and flowing ideal has been achieved by fluid spaces.
The house ultimately and sufficiently ensures that each occupant
experiences each space differently over time and that is a groundbreaking success for the new perception of architectural space. Equally
important is the idyllic surrounding Arcadian forest which enhances the
individual inner activity and rhythm of the user.
In a deeper level, Mobius House is a case study that certainly provides a
theoretical platform to consider the role of the designer; how architecture
can be developed from the inside rather than from the outside.
Additionally, this could lead to a new generation of empathic spaces.
These spaces not only in terms of materials but more importantly in terms
of spatiality and function, support the user as he/she would be in a
constant dialogue and interaction with them. Not only that, but it helps us
as designers to develop an understanding on the qualitative relationship
between space and human.
Finally, the Mobius House has been a provocative response which met the
clients needs, program and site requirements to form a complex and
fragmented house. As an architectural response, it embraces and
introduces new forms of living and designing, closer to the occupant
private world and ideals. Today, almost 18 years after its completion, UN
Studio and their projects still remain relevant to the architecture that
focuses on the behavioural patterns of the inhabitant and their structural
facilitation.
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References
Publishing 2004
UNStudio: the floating space by Aaron Betsky, Kln: Taschen 2007
pages 10,31
Space is the machine: a configurational theory of architecture by Bill
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Bibliography
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