Moving Homes

A speculative proposition of Homes for Cyclists!

#ArchitecturalDesign|Semester 4 | Housing Project | Community Living

Conceptualisation:

The project began questioning the meanings of 'House', 'Home' and the difference between them. Having chosen the 'cyclists' as user group, the idea was to translate the character of cycle into architecture through exposed metallic structures. Cyclists cut through air with their speed and are very dynamic; so the question narrowed down to "Why not move the home?"

Design Process:

The scope of work included designing the project brief with program, types of houses, number of units, their sizes, common amenities and so on. The campus was designed as an Academy for cyclists whose motto was - "Better you perform, Better you live!" The motto translates to physical dimension in design where the dwelling units move and add to an extended part of a luxurious home, allowing one's personal space to expand. This encourages the student to perform better each time, to wake up to the surprise of his upgraded home.

Home is where one lives permanently with their belongings, daily necessities and accessories in their dwelling unit. Without being asked to shift every time, he/she is moved along with their home by the coach who monitors the entire process.

Design:

There is an elevated cycle track which is the primary circulation mode in the campus. Space below the track can be used for jogging on the natural undisturbed site.

SITE PLAN

A triangular path elevated from the ground to six meters (6m) height connects to the circular path that overlooks the lake on the west. The circular path is a common amenities area with a lake view point to enjoy the sunset and the club house- more like a fitness centre.

The dwelling units are suspended from the track and move on a mono rail. in both vertical and horizontal directions.

The entrance of the campus has the form of the cycle; the entry and exit is through the wheels which turns open as the user gets identified. The security cabin is in between the two wheels..

The Dwelling units:

Shipping containers were used in the dwelling units as it helps in moving the units with its standard sizes.

A basic unit is common for all residents made of two containers. Accessed from the cycling track above, one has to take the cycle and climb down to park his cycle in the entrance. The accommodation is minimal with a living, sleeping, cooking and cleaning/washing space. The furniture is fixed to allow for undisturbed movement of the house. there is a void below the unit to accommodate services.

The basic unit gets moved to add on to luxurious personal spaces such as the swimming pool, the gym, a guest bed room and an informal seating space below the basic unit. There is an offset in the basic unit to align and rest on the extended part of the house.

The basic unit gets moved to add on to fully-luxurious personal spaces such as the swimming pool, the gym, a guest bed room and an informal seating space below the basic unit. Along with this there is a bridge that takes one to the bar lounge, sauna and Jacuzzi. A cyclist who performed the best would wake up to this surprise and enjoy the most luxurious house in this campus.

The coach has a fixed dwelling unit located at the extreme ends of the triangle. The house is approached through an entrance garden, into a semi-open dining an a kitchen on the same level. The living, bedroom and hobby is in the level below.

The Club house is made of four containers in a pattern with a courtyard in the center. The same pattern rotates about the central vertical axis in upper levels. The admin office, a cafe, common gym, steam rooms, sauna, Jacuzzi, cycle repairs/mechanic shop and such other facilities are provided as common amenities. The club house is strategically located outside the triangular path, as part of the circle to enable the coach to observe the cyclists and operate the moving house system with enough visibility.