Domestic Formalities Dwelling Policy

Contemporary social, environmental and economic factors are challenging the domestic realm to adapt and find solutions for a more resilient and sustainable built environment. In the realm of housing, the notion of quality of life is often disregarded, and space is divided to fit a dreary standardised design template for profit maximisation. In this regard, the dwelling has received minor attention as many of the residential and domestic spaces remain unchanged and often irrelevant. Residential structures can be a driver for social change and sustainability, and a shared ambition to live more communally could potentially encourage greater housing diversity. By critically rethinking and redesigning the residential space and contemporary domestic environment, we can create and promote cultural diversity, equality, wellbeing and community engagement.

This policy document aims to challenge the current housing models and redefine the concept of domesticity by providing guidelines to one’s own space and the congregation of these spaces across the floor plan. This challenge requires deeper insight into the meaning of minimum dwelling and its social construct, in this document we provide guidelines without compromising the ‘notion’ of quality of space.

The reduction of the individual living spaces are complemented by the collectivisation of domestic services and labour, referred to as the infrastructure of the living complex. These spaces and ideas of sustainability are reciprocated in the facade, where a typical two dimensional exterior is replaced by a layered threshold that retains water and heat and is environmentally conscientious.

Great consideration is therefore is given to weave the private and the public together into a collective and hybridised domestic design, the guidelines provided rethink the classic ‘Grid’ and its relationship to the street-front and the neighbourhood.