Academic Portfolio Marie-Lou Valdes 2018 by Marie-Lou Valdes

MARIE-LOU VALDES Academic Portfolio

TABLE OF CONTENT 00.RAIN PAVILION

PLAYFUL ARCHITECTURE USING BIOMIMETICS & KINETICS

PAGE 02

01.THE OASIS FOOD HUB

PAGE 06

02.‘NEST’ WERNSTEDT PRIZE 2016 COMPETITION : 2ND PRIZE

PAGE 08

03._HOME

COMPETITION & BUILD PROJECT

PAGE 09

04.EXTRUDER FOR A KUKA ROBOTIC ARM BUILD PROJECT

PAGE 10

05. ‘BEE-LIVE’ COMPETITION RUCHES INSOLITES BUILD PROJECT

PAGE 11

06. HYBRID CENTRE IN BILBAO, SPAIN SMART BUILDING

07. ‘ A’ HOUSES INDIVIDUAL HOUSING

PAGE 12

PAGE 13

Time-frames Evolution of the structural canopy thought time and swelling of the bags.

PROGRAMME: Personal programme leading to a design stimulated by research. LOCATION: Gothenburg, Sweden TUTOR: Kengo Skorick EXAMINERS: Jonas Lundberg (UFO-Urban Future Organization) 2

00.RAIN PAVILION

PLAYFUL ARCHITECTURE USING BIOMIMETICS & KINETICS Master Thesis - semester 10 - chalmers university

OBJECTIVE The purpose of the thesis is to research and experiment digitally interesting new designs, actuated by water (or water responsive) using sustainable principles in order to create a rain responsive shelter in Järntorget. BACKGROUND Climate change is a fact that Gothenburg will be facing soon and even if the emissions were to be reduced, we would still be forced to live in a warmer and wetter climate. By 2100, Gothenburg annual precipitation may increase up to 30%, heavy rains will become more frequent and intense accompanied by storms surges and flooded rivers. Awareness is one of the first steps towards a complete water responsive architecture in cities like Gothenburg. METHOD On the other hand, biomimetics -or bioinspired design- is the field of design by analogy. Nature throughout evolution has come to great engineering solutions to very specific problems. Systems seen from the naked eye to the nanoscale have evolved in an immense variety of shapes and structures, often passive “sustainable” solutions. As the technology catch up, the data base and research on biomimetics increases; replicate nature’s systems is becoming more interesting.

RESULTS A panel of species will be identified and investigated to choose one or several systems answering to water or lack of water. The chosen ones will be dissected, and their passive systems modeled through grasshopper. The drawn principles will be then translated to architecture, and applied to a bigger system that is Järntorget. CONCLUSION The translation of cell shapes, materials & structure to architecture is ambitious and laborious. Material for example is hardly scalable to a whole building, and is dependent on other fields like chemistry or material research. The thesis was meant to show that with some enthusiasm and time, architects are able to research and deeply understand other scientific fields to incorporate findings into their design. The reality is that, without absolute coordination of the school’s actors and access to chemical labs, material research becomes extremely bothersome, tedious and expensive. Nevertheless, shape & structure research of plants using 3D modeling through Grasshopper have a tremendous potential for sustainable architecture and should be further investigated.

South & Est Façades The main façade evolution. Apprehension of spaces is modified when the rain is pouring.

EXPLODED AXONOMETRIC VIEW Here is an exploded axonometric view of the shelter. We can distinguish 3 Main layers.

.21

Primary structure Steel Tubes Ø30cm

PRIMARY STRUCTURE Is made of steel tubes (30cm) and that support the weight of the whole pavilion. It is also composed of suspensions cables to suspend the secondary structure.

Suspension cables Steel Tubes Ø7cm Secondary structure Steel Tubes Varies from Ø6.3cm to 12.7cm Bags (fabric) filled with hydrophilic polymers Weight varies from 489kg/m² to 754kg/m²

SECONDARY STRUCTURE Is dimensioned to support the weight of the balloons. This part is the one movable.

.21 3

BALLOONS They are made of textile and super absorbent polymers. They swell as the water pours on the pavilion. Axonometric view

PROGRAMME: Personal programme leading to a design stimulated by research. LOCATION: Gothenburg, Sweden TUTOR: Kengo Skorick EXAMINERS: Jonas Lundberg (UFO-Urban Future Organization) 4

MAIN FACADES OPEN STATE The open state of the rain pavilion offers the visual of a “blown” structure. The primary structure blends in the rest of the façade and the secondary structure is almost invisible. It is due to the maximum swelling of the bags, that when full with water will spread vertically and horizontally. The super absorbent polymer inside the bags will fill up and push the inner faces of the bags until it looks like a solid material. This will make the structure in an open state look very heavy and “plain”.

CLOSED STATE On the contrary the close state offers the visual of several umbrellas suspended in the air. The balloons are completely dry and thus they look like pieces of textile hanging. The whole structure is very light and look very light, supporting only its proper weight. In this state, the structure will move, following the movements of the wind. But also when touching it. [The maximum height is 7 meter high.]

PERSPECTIVES The perspective illustrates the kind of space that the structure creates when fully open. The first one is set during a rainy day, where the rain pavilion provides physical shelter. The second one is set on a regular day in gothenburg, when the shelter is used as a gathering and socializing place. The goal of rendering a

project is to appreciate the architectural spaces and human scale as well as bringing life into concepts. Here the heights and spaces illustrate a “cathedral” shelter made of arches, and can almost be compared as a Narthex (the entrance to a church).

MAIN FACADES Facade Est and West Showing the different ways to access the roof. It also show the very peculiar shape of the building, between a bumped recreational public space and a open building.

PERSPECTIVES THE VIEW FROM CHRISTIANA On the first plan (left side) is the library space, in the quieter space of the plot. On the second plan (right side) is the restaurant. This view shows the relationship between the building, facing the river. Between these elements, is another access to the roof, offering a bump into the public space. THE VIEW FROM THE CITY CENTRE On the first plan is the urban farming space, with hanging ‘ZipGrow’. On the back is the restaurant facing the river and the Opera house. One of the access to the roof is placed in the middle. It is also the entrance to the building : the visitor has to go up on the roof in order to enter the building.

EXPLODED AXONOMETRIC VIEW

Showing (from top to bottom) : (a) protection railing, (b) metal sheet protection of the borders, (c) roof cladding and distinction of full vs trim modules, (d) structural beams (70cmx20cm), (e) glass post (90cm wide), (f) facade glass cladding and distinction of full vs trim panels, (g) secondary glass structure, (h) library shelfs, (i) counter, (j) vertical farming ‘zip grow’, (k) suspended module tables.

The design of the inside is following the outside curve. The library shelves are arranged as Richard Serra sculptures. In the restaurant, tables are hanging of the ceiling, fitting perfectly in between the beams. The scale, the height and functions of the tables changes as they come closer to the water. The racks in the farming area are also hanging, giving an impression of a wild natural space.

PROGRAMME: Sustainable Building Competition, Regenerative Food Hub (Fall 2016) LOCATION: Copenhagen, Denmark EXAMINERS: Kasper Guldager Jensen (GXN), Lasse Lind (GXN) 6

01.THE OASIS FOOD HUB Semester 9 - chalmers university

South & Est Façades The main façade evolution. Apprehension of spaces is modified when the rain is pouring.

DESCRIPTION “The Studio ‘Sustainable Building Competition’ will investigate how a symbiosis between urban farming, temporary construction and regenerative sustainability can create social and economic value in cities. The plot is located in between Christiana and Copenhagen city centrer who respectively have divergent mindsets.” South & Est Façades The main façade evolution. Apprehension of spaces is modified when the rain is pouring.

South & Est Façades The main façade evolution. Apprehension of spaces is modified when the rain is pouring.

FOOD RECONCILES CULTURES Creating value and attracting people, urban farming using vertical technologies such as Zip Racks, 500m² could feed 1000 people a week with minimum 4 farmers needed. With the right amount of planning, yearly harvest would be achieved. FOOD DEMOCRACY Bringing democracy in the building with the help of food would lead to social equality within the building functions. A research has been conducted to define “democratic spaces”. For example to allow “participate” & “associate”

rights to a “brainstorming” scheme. SHAPE The shell construction is related to specific parameters. The lowest points lay out the pre-existing paths on the plot, allowing people to climb on the building to reach their destinations instead of skirting it. The highest point altitude is the average height of surrounding buildings. To enter the building, one has to get on the roof to access one of the patio and reach the entrance. The shell itself provides visitors a public spaces, with view to the water an the opera. The building opens or closes when seen from particular spots. It aims to be dismantled and assembled easily thanks to rationalized panels and water transport. The building would be municipality owned and raise awareness about food, sustainability & equality. It aspire to shift people’s mind about temporary architecture and shapes. 7

02.‘NEST’ WERNSTEDT PRIZE 2016 COMPETITION : 2ND PRIZE Semester 8 - chalmers university

DESCRIPTION What is a celebration ? What is wedding about ? How architecture can translate emotions into shapes ?

responds to the key question of the brief by providing a stimulating and invigorating image of another kind of marriage situation - but where is the groom ?» W_16 NEST

NEST

A wedding is a journey where two people are tied together. There is a before and an after. There is the void in the past, the ceremony in the present and the path, that will lead to the future. In architecture, the past is behind us, when the future is embodied by the distant view. As we can see in the diagram, the shape combines the spiritual idea of a wedding, with site specific data.

VIEW

What is a celebration ? What is wedding about ? How could architecture translate emotions into shapes ? A wedding is a journey where two people are tied together. There is a before and an after. There is the void in the past, the ceremony in the present and the path, that will lead to the future. In architecture, the past is behind us, when the future is embodied by the distant view. As we can see in the diagram, the shape combines the spiritual idea of a wedding, with site specific data. Moreover, it is often a compromise between two ideals. Here, it is between the exterior and the interior, between the bird and the tree : the nest. The shape itself comes from different sections mixed

together. Then it is triangulated for structural reasons. The size of the windows changes based on the orientation and the amount of light needed. A lot of the light coming inside the building is zenithal but also from the sunset lights. Openings can open, rotating in the middle. The building is entirely closed, and the entrance is hidden in the structure. The windows that open for the entrance are also use as an outside space. The structure and the panels are made of wood, with a colour contrast on the outside and inside. The shape is holding thanks to pots and cables inside the void. On the inside around the tree trunk is the ramp to “climb” to higher levels. The inside carries a lot of emotional expressions, by the colour but also, because everything is hanging out of the ceiling, just like inside a tree house.

SHADING

PATH

CEREMONY

VOID

SITUATION PLAN - 1:400 -

Moreover, it is often a compromise between two ideals. Here, it is between the exterior and the interior, between the bird and the tree : the nest.

300 400

SHAPE The shape itself comes from different sections mixed together. Then it is triangulated for structural reasons. The size of the windows changes based on the orientation and the amount of light needed. A lot of the light coming inside the building is zenithal but also when the sun sets. Openings can open & rotate in the middle. The building is entirely closed, and the entrance is hidden in the structure. Some windows opens downward to create a small terrase ouside. GSPublisherEngine 0.5.100.100

OUTSIDE VIEW - THE BIRD --

SECOND & THIRD FLOOR PLAN - 1:50 -

Panel n°1 Presentation of the project purpose, aerial representation, plans and outside perspective. The shapes are made to be naturally curved, to resemble the tree & the bird : the Nest. W_16 NEST 850

850

600

STRUCTURE The structure and the panels are made of wood, with a colour contrast on the outside and inside. The shape is holding thanks to beams and steel cables inside the void. On the inside around the tree trunk is a ramp to “climb” to higher levels. The interrior design is made to provoque an emotional response , thanks to the white colour & everything hanging from the ceiling, just like inside a tree house.

OPENING SYSTEM

LONGITUDINAL SECTION - 1:50 -

TRANSVERSAL SECTION - 1:100 -

001.001.5.0 enignE

GSPublisherEngine 0.5.100.100

001.001.5.0 enignErehsilbuPSG

GSPublisherEngine 0.5.100.100

JURY COMMENTS «This exploration of a sculptural architectural language expands imaginatively beyond the limits of the perimeter. Using opportunities of parametric for design and fabrication it creates independently a unique decorative structure without expressing any existing religious or cosmological connotations. Making all types of events equal in relation to this unusual space. Invigorating features such as wall elements being lowered or raised provide seamless access to the surrounding landscape. A limitless space and a buoyant celebration to love. [...] The illustrations provided

SOUTH WEST FACADE - 1:100 -

SOUTH EST FACADE - 1:100 -

EXPLODED PANEL

SECTION DETAIL OF THE ENTRANCE - 1:20 -

INDOOR VIEW - THE TREE -

ENTRANCE VIEW

Panel n°2 The first section show the branching system of the tree, with every hanging from the ceiling. The second section show the relationship of the landscape with the building. Façades shows the logic behind the scale of the openings (small to big) following the sun’s path. The building is made out of panels, and some open to transform into the entrance. On the perspective, the round spatiality and the impression of ceremony is represented. GSPublisherEngine 0.5.100.100

PROGRAMME: A wedding pavilion on Saltholmen, Sweden. Architectural competitions (spring 2016) LOCATION: Saltholmen, Sweden JURY: Gert Wingårdh (president), Pernilla Ohrstedt (external member), Malin Michaelson (member of the jury nominated by the local association of Swedish Architects),Sten Gromark (secretary and course examiner) 8

03._HOME

COMPETITION & BUILD PROJECT Semester 7 - chalmers university

DESCRIPTION _Home is a shelter for the refugees of the Zaatari camp in Jordan. It is made of foam because of its insulation properties, and its light weight. The design of the shelter is divided in two complementary parts: the outside and the inside. The outside was designed to perform well in an urban context and by itself. In the urban tissue, modules are connected thanks to fabric, to provide shadow and define protected spaces. The roof Exposition Picture Finished Shelter, front view. is shaped to collect water during the _ENVIRONMENTAL DRAWING winter period, and containers inside can sustainable features provide water for an extended period of time. The roof also provide shadows for the entrance, and define a semi-private space, used to stand, sit or sell goods. The inside design is mainly inspired of orientals countries : rounded shapes that intersect each others and the use of moucharabia to shade and create and air flow inside the shelter. Foam is also useful to create tables, sits, and beds for the families.

Exposition Picture Entrance, light coming out.

SOLAR PANELS ON ROOF Self-powered energy

ROOF

“Butterfly - roof”

Gathering rainwater

Create shade

The studio competition was to define which project will be constructed in a 1:1 scale. Our team and another one won the competition. The construction period lasted 3 weeks. The main challenges were to realise our own tools to face the reality of large scale construction. Large sheets of foam needed to be cut together, so we created a giant hand foam cutter. Made of a wire, and two handles, linked to a generator.

_SHARED WALLS Possibility to share wall with connecting unit

WATER TANKS_ Keeping the water cool by storing in the walls. Collect rainwater from the roof.

_SC

_FLOOR

RENDER_

OSB-boards

Water protection

foundation made of “waste” - foam

Increasing thermal mass Strengthens the monolithic experience

OUTSIDE EXTENSION_ Possibility to shape your outside space depending on needs

_“MASHRABIYA” FABRIC EXTENSION_

Shade

Extended Shade

Privacy

Connecting several units

Cooling Ventilation

MATERIAL & DETAIL 2015 - Group 5: Adrien Quennepoix, Andrine Johansson, Jakob Müller, Marie-Lou Valdes

Axonometry Composition of one module. The roof shape design collects water and allows space for solar panels. The fabric extension link several units. The outside render is used as a water protection (...), the Mashrabiya for shading, outside extension for several uses. The floors are made out of waste foam and OSB.

Plan and 3D Projection Representation of the void space inside the shelter, made out of lofted arcs.

PROGRAMME: Studio competition for a refugee shelter LOCATION: Zaatarri Camp, Jordan TEAM: Adrien Quennepoix, Andrine Johansson, Jakub Muller EXAMINERS: Daniel Norell, Jona Lundberg 9

04.EXTRUDER FOR A KUKA ROBOTIC ARM BUILD PROJECT Semester 7 - chalmers university

DESCRIPTION During the first two weeks of Material and Detail, we worked in the robot/ Kuka lab, on conceiving tools for the refugee shelter. The tool we (as a team) choose is the foam extruder. We worked together along with Stig Anton Nielson, to build it. CHALLENGES The main challenge was to actually built it and make it work. It was a very long process, with many failures but also good surprises. It is made of a cooper pipe, a drill, a power supply for the motor and a feeder to supply it with foam. The heat controller is linked to wires around the pipe, outside the drill, to heat up the foam and change its form. The drill compress the material, thanks to a great pressure inside the pipe. When reaching the right temperature, the foam comes out of the pipe as a paste.

Mounting Process 10 steps mounting process of the extruder tool.

KUKA ROBOTIC ARM The other part was to figure out how to run the robot. We needed to create a grasshopper tool, to draw a path for the Kuka to print out. The one presented here is very easy to use and understand for most people. The only thing to do is to import the 3D model of the shape, define the thickness of the foam, and the tool calculate the path (that you can simulate) and pre-visualize the 3D result.

Step 2, the cut planes

he inputs

Step 3, the layer thickness and seam position

Step 4, division of the curve

Step 5, the output

weGrasshopper connect thealso ”P” from the last step to LIN MOVE’s ”PLANES”. Above this we have In this step grasshopper creates a Bounding Box around the object to the maximal length earlier. In get this step we let grasshopper use the planes from last step to make sections of the object, and Here we divide the curve depending on the increments we decided Here the extruder tool defined. Below is the KUKA robot. These three as well as the slider to run the in both X and Y direction as well as the Z direction (height). The only making thing wecurves needthat herethe is the extruder may follow. Then we remove the last layer to take into account shows us the direction of the curve. simulation (seen in step 1) is connected to ”KUKA|prc CORE”. height, and therefore we let grasshopper deconstruct the boundingthe boxthickness to isolateofit.the Weextrusion. then deconstruct the domain of the height to isolate the highest position. After that we make a line Depending on if we build an object or just a curve we connect the ”P” in the ”Divide” to To see the robot and make the code work you need to double-click on ”KUKA|prc CORE” and with the same height, but starting in origo. Using the thickness of theWe extrution we the definend o open the file “Extruder.3dm” in Rhinoceros, and then in grasshopper open then find closest points on all the curves to the point we set in the begining. Grasshopper ”PLANES” in ”LIN MOVE” (can be seen in the next step). go into ”Output”, there you can click ”Set Output Directory”. Make a folder on the desktop earlier, we divide the line and make XY-planes in each division. ow you can make your desired model, or if it is already made just copy and moves the seam for us when we move to point in Rhinoceros. ”kuka”. Now you should be able to see the robot and extruder tool, as well as the ure your model or curve is inside the square in Rhinoceros, this area is set as the If we referenced a Brep earlier we want the connect the ”Divide” on named top. of your object and the expected geometry with its thickness. his tool. The tool does not work in negative Z-values. one at the bottom. In the bottom we create pipes with the thickness of the extruded material to get a represenationIf we on the other hand referenced a curve we want to connect the divisions of what it may look like. This can show us eventual difficulties in the geometry. We move the and expected result in Rhinoceros you must follow step 1 and 5. representation to outside of the square in the X-direction.

ou can print shapes and curves, kind of in the way a 3D-printer works. In this can follow the simple steps to set up and understand the basics behind the opper code.

Mounting Process 10 steps mounting process of the extruder tool.

u will find a point, this point the seam on your object ere the tool moves up after evel. Feel free to move this position.

ct is built or placed inside right-click on *Brep* and e Brep”, then click on your

e regulated depending on the extruded material.

Grasshopper Simulation of the path for the Kuka robot.

how defined your shape can change the length ts with this slider. A shorter more defined object, but a

he extrusion with the robot, n the simulation to see if fficulties or errors, e.g. with

to extrude a simple curve ce it here. Right-click on se ”Set one Curve”, then rve. Remember to make also is inside the extruders nside of the square.

Grasshopper Tool Used to simulate the path of the Kuka robot, and look for wrong positions. Also used to visualise the end result of the 3D printed shape.

PROGRAMME: Foam extruder for kuka robot, on a 2 weeks notice. LOCATION: @ The Robotic Lab. Chalmers University, Sweden EXAMINERS: Stig Anton Nielsen, Daniel Norell, Stephan Svedberg 10

Kuka Robot Arm Simulation IRL and calibration of the extruder on the arm.

05. ‘BEE-LIVE’ COMPETITION RUCHES INSOLITES BUILD PROJECT Semester 6 - Ecole Nationale Supérieure d’Architecture de Montpellier

« Il faut pas un times de les conf plus féro dans son de circo Exemple baladez et vous abeilles de trèfle Aïe, ça p s’observ vous en

En reva sans pr devant reux. L’a coup d ou mam maison

Constructed project During presentation day.

Perspective View Rendered view of the beehive on a balcony in Montpellier.

DESCRIPTION Bee-Live is a competition project at the Ecole Nationale Superieure d’Architecture de Montpellier. The goal was to design and build-in real scale- a beehive for a urban use. The competition promotes protection of the bees and inform the public about their importance in the eco system. Bee live is designed to be used by private buildings, and people who want to produce honey or be part of the project. It can be suspended from windows, balconies and also stand on the ground. The peculiar design makes a desirable object for inhabitants, but also provides a good environment for the bees to live in. SHAPE The beehive is designed in an horizontal state inside the wood circles. Those circles provide shadow for the beehive, and are shaped to include spaces for plants (related to bees), and tools. The circles on the top of the beehive are fixed to the lid of the beehive, to make it easy to open. The beehive will grow and evolve during its life time. People on the street, will pass by everyday, and the more beehives they will see, the more they will be inclined to have one. TEAM Evie Lanthelme & Lison Vedy. Presentation Poster

PROGRAMME: “Ruches Insolites & Architecturales” competition in ENSAM with UNAF. LOCATION: Montpellier, France JURY: Philippe Capellier (President of the Ordre Régional des Architectes de Languedoc-Roussillon), Henri Clément (spokesman of UNAF), Claire Pourcelle (BNP bank), Alain Derey (Director of ENSAM), Daniel Delgado,David Pegazte (apiculturist),Clémence Attalin. 11

06. HYBRID CENTRE IN BILBAO, SPAIN SMART BUILDING Semester 5 - Ecole Nationale Supérieure d’Architecture de Montpellier

WHAT IS A SMART CITY ? What kind of building smart cities includes ? Do smart buildings reinvigorate cities themselves ? CONTEXT The building takes place in a very particular context : Bilbao which is on the road to becoming a smart city. The transition from historical “zoning” city to the bright new one is tricky and takes time. The selected site is located on the Nervion quayside and alternates back and forth between an historical context and new ideas. It’s right beside the old and Abstraction Proliferation of the project principle from the new train stations. Sea to Bilbao.

PURPOSE The building will be used both for : - Artistic matters : gallery, artist’s flats, workshops, small theatre. - Work place : offices, reprography, translation work place, meetings. - Sleeping place : hostel with private restaurant, projection room, recreations room. - Foreign exchange : Erasmus centre, CROUS workplace, office for a layer.

Those functions don’t usually belong in the same building. By putting them in the same Perspective View Taken from the bridge, showing the 3d place it creates flows of people, brainstorming and new kind of meetings ; making it atdimensional aspect of the building, eating space out of tractive. the river, giving interesting views.

INFLUENCES Studying Yona Friedman and Paul Rudolph architecture, it appears they were creating building (or cities) for the future, depending on how they wanted the future to be like. Here, the goal is to incorporate the principles of old Bilbao, back in the 80’s/90’s when it was a great coastal city. Thus, the use of raw and simple but refined materials. SHAPE The shapes are linked to functions and views. The ground floor is an important cross point. It can be considered as an indoor street. The 2 parts of the building answer to each other creating movement inside the street, thanks to a very simple process: dividing a function in 2 parts. For example, the reception of the Erasmus centre is on the right part and the waiting room on the left one. The building earns its transparency thanks to the holes created in the shape. They have inclined planes to modify the natural landscape and offer new views upon the old city. Finally, the ground floor is 3D shaped (going up and down small triangulated hills) to make pedestrian slow down and appreciate the city.

Façades (a) view from the old city (b) view from the street. The building can be read as two blocs (concrete vs. weathering steel) linked by the geometry of the openings. They create movement but are also fit to protect from the sun.

PROGRAMME: Smart building with mix uses (Erasmus centre, artist residence, restaurants, gallery, theatre, etc.) in 6000m². LOCATION: Bilbao, Spain EXAMINERS: Jacques Brion, Nicolas Crégut 12

07. ‘ A’ HOUSES

INDIVIDUAL HOUSING Semester 3 - Ecole Nationale Supérieure d’Architecture de Montpellier

DESCRIPTION The houses are relatively small modules which make them highly adaptable to the natural landscape. The working process of the common areas is very important because it offsets the size limitation of private spaces. Each module have its own patio in the centre of two wings, night & day areas. The landscape is considered as an object with curves, in contrast of the vertical construction. The establishment of a roofing triangulation creates a second skin, natural but with Cartesian principles. It is used as a cover for the houses that curl up under it. The cover is also shading the public areas.

Floor plan Usage of a small plot for three houses, with a view.

Model Photo

QUESTIONING “How do I get home ?” “What makes me feel home ?” “What makes me feel secure ?” Those questions are important because they point out the definition of a cocoon, a private and safe space. With grouped individual housing, those questions become essential. Here, the access to the houses is embodied by the stairs : the house is half buried. Nevertheless, the entrance for cars is shared. It makes sort of a binary atmosphere because it is semi covered -just like the narthex, introduces the idea of entrance.

Section Showing the relative height of each houses in relationship to the plot.

Finally, the inside is orientated around the patio to bring light all day long. It also enable efficient movement of air currents. (See “07. ‘ A’ Houses , individual housing” figure page 27 for detail structure.)

Perspective Rendered view showing the occupation, investigation and limits of shared spaces.

PROGRAMME: Three individual housing, on a shared plot and entrance. LOCATION: Montpellier, France EXAMINERS: Julien Wafflart 13

marielouvaldes.fr