Essay On Domestic Transformer

Submitted By Jimmybr
Words: 2937
Pages: 12

DOMESTIC TRANSFORMER

SPATIAL STRATEGIES
GARY CHANG, HONG KONG

Gary Chang, an architect, designed his 344 square foot apartment in Hong Kong to be able to change into 24 different designs, all by just sliding panels and walls. He calls this the “Domestic
Transformer.

Typical room layout: a small space partitioned into several tiny rooms, in this case, three bedrooms, a kitchen and a hallway.

after 30 years transformation, the fixed spatial function of each room is replaced by a flexible application. Fixtures were replaced by the sliding wall, folded tables and chairs.

C
A
S
E

1976

S
Aesthetics and functionality – mirrored wall and chrome in gary chang’s domestic transformer create a space with blurred edges.
The reflective surface give the small area more depth while also cleverly hiding the feature such as the tracks. The use of yellowed tinted glass adds warmth and mood to the room. However, the yellow hue makes it seem enclosed and separated from the outside world; while the constant reflection are unsettling.

T
1987

U

Philosophy – chang says “space is a resource” and his design ideas which focus on flexible housing and making the optimal use of space are very applicable to this project. For example, the sliding walls create transformable spaces which can be customized to user’s needs. D
Y

1998

1
2006
Enclosed space.(rooms)

2 bedrooms

dining

transforming

= non transformable

Walk in closet

Incoming light cinema

sitting

Reflected light Enclosed bathroom

library

Large windows bathe the He

study

grabbed a handle near the wallmounted television, pulling a section of the wall itself toward the center of the room. Behind it, a small countertop with two burners, a sink and a spice rack appeared. Opposite the countertop, on the back of the now-displaced wall, he lowered a hinged worktop made of a lightweight laminate of honeycombed aluminum.

Create images double the space

Key:

= transformable

bedtime

This ingenious use of space allows rooms to quickly transform. Each futuristic sliding wall after being moved reveals, or should I say creates another room and yet another. And so on. Each newly minted room is designed to already include in the walls a built in TV, couch, fold down guest bed and even a bath tub. Every inch of available space has been used – more than once.

Mental and glass tend to reflect the incoming light source, the ceiling design will brighten up the space. The reflected image is seen on the screen, so the space will be doubled.

Almost every aspect of this apartment transforms: shifting from a large open plan living area to a functional compact multiroomed space.
The
asymmetrical apartment is simple, functional and ornamentation free. The clutter free open plan area will appeal to the minimalist aesthetics of the client while functioning well as both work and recreational space.
Order
is gained by in building some of the furnishings. The shelving on the wall also provides space for creative works and books.
The advantage of this design is that the apartment does not need to be fully transformed to be functional. Space organization

Material research
Reflected
metal

- A straight path however can be the primary organizing element for a series of spaces.

Glass surface - Linear form
- Consist of forms arranged
- Sequentially in a row

glass screen as curtain Desk height

- Linear form expressing movement.
- End of a long narrow field is open, the space will encourage movement

600mm

900mm

450mm

Appear as a freestanding plane in a single volume of space.

Vertical sliding shelving to bring in different programme in the tight space.
The shelving is equipped with home essential on both side.

Table height

Cupboard

Size specifications: the furniture item needs to fit within the heights shown below as these were specified in the apartment design.

-

When two feet high, a plans can define the edge of a field but provides little or no sense of enclosure for the field.
When waist