Analysis of Archetype.

Why I chose Suitcase house.

I chose the 'Suitcase House' to research further because while all 3 exemplar houses present a unique adaption to their context and are all evidence of thorough design, the 'Suitcase house' is much more left of centre. It is unusual and highly intelligent and the opportunity to further explore the intimacies of this fascinating and modern design appealed to me. While I know I don't have the skill to successfully replicate a design of this calibre, Gary Chang's idea of space and the hidden functions of this house interest me. This piece of architecture adopts a different approach to open living and creates a unique experience.


The Suitcase House.

Here are Gary Chang's original sketches while he was designing the suitcase house.



Source: Chang, G. 2004. Suitcase House. Map Book Publishers.

The architectural drawings of Gary Chang reveal his simplistic design style. All the rooms of the house fit together in a snug puzzle-like fashion.

Floor plans 1:100.

Every aspect of the house is sleek, rectangular and simple.
Interior.

The hidden functional rooms in the lower strata under the floorboards.
Source: Chang, G. 2004. Suitcase House. Map Book Publishers.

Section 1:100.

Elevation 1:100.

Exterior.

Site Plan 1:200.

The house responds to its environment by creating;

Optimal views of the Great Wall of China.



Maximum solar exposure to help warm the house.










Allowing pleanty of natural light in.


It contains the user in a flexible, open environment with endless possibilities in which to use the space;

There are many possible rooms that can be sectioned off.


Rooms can interact in any way the user sees fit.

The functions of the house are seperated from the open living area.


It is a delightful piece of architecture because;

It is a constantly adjustable house with different paths and options.


The house can be changed according to what rooms are needed making it possible to be used by many different people for many different purposes.

It creates a private niche separated from the outside world.



Gary Chang and his architecture.

The unique and exciting space saving qualities of Gary Chang's architecture stem from his childhood. Gary Chang was born and raised in Hong Kong in a small apartment with very little personal space. Of the three bedrooms in their apartment he had none and had to sleep in the hallway on a sofa bed (Gardiner 2009). The lack of space is very common in Hong Kong causing stress and chaos for everyday life (Gardiner 2009). This experience of life has influenced his architectural qualities to value "transformation, flexibility and maximising space" (Gary Chang in Gardiner 2009). His designs create secretive, sleek, simple living spaces.

These architectural qualities are reflected obviously in his 2002 prototype Suitcase House. The house is a creation with ultimate flexibility of space, with curtains that slide to divide the space in whatever way the user needs. He conceals the functions of the house in a lower level under floorboards leaving maximum space and open area on the upper level.

"Its character is certainly not limited to a space for living and working in, and definitely not determined by me...it is the people who inhabit it , and who engage in activities in it."(Chang 2004)

He redesigned his current apartment, retrofitting it with similar principles and ideas as the suitcase house. In his own house he has carefully chosen every placement and every product used. His goals in his architecture are "transformation, flexibility and maximising space" (Gary Chang in Gardiner 2009). He is aware of current technology and utilises everything he can to execute a flawless modular design. He includes a large flat screen TV, a guest bed that folds out over the bath tub, and has designed his home to have a futuristic feeling to it through colour and materials. He makes the most of the space he has and zones the different functions to fit together in the most logical pattern. His apartment is undoubtedly delightful in its seamless function as well as their intriguing modular design.

His architecture succeeds in what he sets out to do in maximising space especially and creating multifunctional rooms. From his perspective, these techniques are very important in a city such as Hong Kong, constantly growing in density. He see's space as a resource, and one that is not to be wasted, "the key idea is that everyone could look into their home more carefully and into how better to optimise their resources, because space is a resource" (Gary Chang in Mckenzie 2010).

When designing a working and living space for Gary Chang, it is clear I must design a simple, modular and space economising area.


Reference List;
Chang, G. 2004. Suitcase House. Map Book Publishers.

Gardiner, V. 2009. 24 Rooms tucked into one. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/15/garden/15hongkong.html?_r=1 (accessed March 11, 2010).

Mckenzie, H. 2010. Smal living; Sliding apartment. http://www.designtavern.com/2010/02/small-living-sliding-apartment/ (accessed March 16, 2010).