PAM Annual Student Exhibition 2014

The ethical function of architecture is to provide spaces for people which are meeting the basic functional needs and rooted in social and cultural meaning of place. This forms the basis on the our interpretation of what describes and characterizes healthy and happy spaces? To us, healthy and happy spaces are the basic fundamental responses of “responsible architecture”. While we are immersed into the parametricism, iconism, expressionism amongst other visually stimulating architecture imagery, it is important to return to the fundamental and honest architecture to offer sufficient space. Sufficiency prompts notions of healthy and happy through concepts of honesty if material and form, expressive tectonics of structure and space, and self-sustaining architecture through energy efficiency that is mooted in the basic function of architecture.

 

  Architects as shapers of the built environment should reflect on the” roots” – the primitive ways of space and place-making, the structure as a means to resonate the form and to push these ideas into contemporary ideals of architecture. While form, structure and space are the fundamentals of architecture, architects should embrace the everyday experience (e.g cycling) that re-think how such sufficient act can inform the architecture of today. To be sufficient is to embrace the everyday, to embrace the roots, and to explore these ideas into innovation explorations of architecture – in doing so, we create healthy and happy spaces.

 

Design statement:

 

Perhaps one of the biggest priorities for humans is to be healthy and happy in their life. Everything we do is in pursuit of this – happiness. It seems ironic then, that the more we do, the more we achieve and the more we progress – the harder it becomes for us to be happy.

We believe that this is the fundamental problem that we should think to address in designing spaces… and the solution is simple.

 

The solution is literally – simplicity.

 

Simplicity in material, in form and in experience. Despite advancements in technology, we are happiest when we truly go back to basics. Think of the ambience of a kampong. This is what we tried to achieve in our design.

The form is basic and sufficient – in terms of function as well as its aesthetics – it is just enough, nothing more, nothing less. The natural curvature form pays homage to traditional cave dwellings, that were then transformed into mud houses, then into tents, and into what we call buildings nowadays. It is about progress but not forgetting about your roots. The aesthetics is simple and unpretentious, inviting and warm. The materials used are locally found, lightweight and structurally stable.

 

There is a dual entrance, and they vary in scale. Entering from one side gives off a different feeling than entering from the other. Transparency and permeability enhance the experience – a play with views. The surrounding light is brought in as much as possible – reducing the need for more artificial lighting.

The bicycle is a metaphorical representation of the relationship between humans and technology. In marrying the two together – the old and the new – It seeks to remind us that in the end, we are the ones who created and developed technology and so we should not be held back by it. The excitement and joy you get in something so simple – being able to create light by pedaling – brings with it a powerful message.

 

Happiness is simple.