The research stage formulated design criteria for the thesis. This project looked at precedent projects to understand its strengths and weaknesses. Surveys were also conducted to identify user's preferences for dwellings and their spatial requirements. Participants were also invited to draw their ideal layout for a home. A study on examples of Hong Kong residential typologies were also conducted to understand what is available now.
The key points identified will steer the design direction of this thesis in achieving a design which is truly adaptable to users’ changing needs throughout their life journey. Generally speaking, the following assumptions are made which reacts to the shortcomings of precedent projects and research, which will become the assessment criteria for this thesis final outcome:
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The modules must allow for expansion to cater for more than 1-2 people. The modules should be diverse and will not become the limitation for choice and expansion.
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The exterior façade must be not be hard, it should be a soft yet weather-tight material which is capable of withstanding the elements of Hong Kong, thus allowing overall re-planning of interior spatial arrangements rather than ad hoc add-ons.
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The movement / or expansion of the units should not be dependent on heavy machineries. The mechanism should be embedded into the modules for expansion.
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Users should be free to choose their appliances, and should not be embedded with the architecture. In other words, the internal environment should replicate a normal dwelling as much as possible, allowing users to decide on their own furniture or partitions.
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Hong Kong is a high rise city with limited land for horizontal expansion. Expansion should occur vertically in unused air-space. Mega-structures over existing urban landscape should be avoided.
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The design should not only cater for the long term expansion, but also for the short term, temporary events throughout one’s life journey.
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Standardising bathroom and kitchen, while modularising other spaces for users to define.