Design Two: The Internal Struggle

Once again I played with the idea of separate modules joined as one whole. Rather than ‘group’ the spaces, I wanted to pull them apart, creating more of a journey for the occupant – a journey for what? Based on my philosophical ramblings, that’s up to interpretation.

I wanted to use more linear elements, closed, dark and internalized. This house as the name suggests is about the internal struggle individuals and society face and how the two influence each other. Does one element really make a difference to the structure? Does the whole design influence the nature and position of each element? Once again, up to interpretation.


There is very limited interaction with the external environment forcing the occupant to look inwards – but still be able to glimpse the outside. Each space is of similar form, slightly altered, some are wide with a thin window, some are thin with a thin window, some are just thin, some are just wide. The idea of verticality and the shifting of position is derived from the notion of how humanity are ever changing, shifting, altering in form, appearance, mood, beliefs, values, etc. We change as individuals, we change as a society.


The built model also didn’t differ too greatly from the digital model. I subtracted a few elements, changed the positioning and forgot to cut a few windows. As with the first model, I was unsure as to where this tower and mirror would go, I struggled with the idea, as I thought it to be ‘too easy’ – everyone knows what a tower is…right? In this model I also used water as my ‘mirror’ and there is two ‘towers’, the long hallway, very thin, cramped space, high ceilings, almost…probably oppressive, doesn’t encourage the occupant to linger, reflect on themselves, but for each individual this feeling of discomfort will be for a different reason…encouraging that individual to recognize a particular aspect of themselves. The other ‘tower’ is the space surrounding the house. An open area, it invites the occupant to ‘have a look’.

Design One: The Watcher - The Watched

This design is derived from the concept of watching and being watched in return. It shows the nature of how humanity and we as individuals within society view the world, each other and ourselves. I did the sketch up model first and was disappointed with the ‘heaviness’ of the structure…but felt it could have potential.



I used the ground as a means of ‘crossing’ to another state of mind, preparing to reflect on yourself in the tower. The divided rooms are a whole, each individual space is part of a larger whole structure – representing individuals within society. While I wanted the occupant to be fenced in, so to speak, I also wanted the occupant to look out beyond their limited frame – watching life as life watches him. I like the idea of segmentation and really tried to emphasize it with thick dividing walls…not sure it turned out the way I envisioned.


A home – not house – should be a space that encapsulates an individuals (a society’s) general personality and encourages the occupant to feel safe and secure and give them a place ‘to belong’. A home also shows society (everyone else) what you want them to see – power, wealth, family. Sometimes it can show what you don’t want ‘the others’ to see – poverty, sloth. This home shows that the occupant – you and me – are not always united as individuals, but that as a society, humanity is a whole and we all strive for acceptance from each other and have the desire to be a part of the group.


I made the model pretty much the same as the sketch up design, I thinned the walls and pulled the fence down – I felt it was a bit too gaol like. This seemed to take away that ‘heaviness’ in the digital model. I altered the roof structure, as in sketch up it wasn’t really doing anything. I hadn’t yet worked out where this ‘mirror’ was going to be and so I used the internal tower as a means to access the mirror rather than having the mirror in an actual space. The roof has a kind of pond which serves as a reflective surface and therefore an area to reflect.

Who is the trolley man anyway?

The trolley man…who is he? Hedjuk says the trolley man was in a painting…who was watching him…who or what was he watching…? What influences the viewer of a painting? What does the painting represent? Instead of defining the trolley man as one particular character, with their own name, job, life, family, etc the trolley man represents all of humanity in their basic form. Are we really all individuals? Do each one of us differ so greatly from one another? We all suffer sadness, pain, anger, hopelessness, embarrassment…we all experience joy, happiness, ecstasy, pleasure… we are all a part of a whole…so should we unite together? (is this even feasible?) or should we live as though we are each separate beings, individual and special?

Between both models I wanted to dramatically differ the amount of light and shade coming into the house – much as a painting’s mood is influenced by the light and shade shown – humans react strongly, albeit unconsciously to light and shade.

The First Impression...

This was my first design and attempt…I was thinking about a uniform shape, rotated and skewed continuously and how that would affect the view out of the space and how the space was used. Even though I really liked the concept, I felt it lacked subtlety and any delicacy. Also really hard to make stuff fit in it.

States of Mind

a trolley man's IMPRESSIONS

He opens the curtains. He staggers back from the piercing rays that injure. He closes himself from the pain momentarily. He gingerly peers out, viewing the rough, uncertain terrain as parasites begin their days in the broken land. The clouds that threaten like a bull waiting to charge… malicious movements and sinister thoughts are revealed by a harsh wind that pushes against his skin. His flesh reacts in hostility, pulling tightly together, cowering like a dog from a raised hand. He forces his gaze to THAT market place, dirty, loud and teeming with soulless life-consumers. The stench of rotting meat causes him to gag, he can almost taste the aged flesh – he pauses. He notices with disgust the robots. Each machine attempts to leech the others energy, drowning their competition, while vainly striving to stay afloat in the ugliness they label HUMANITY. The females screech like struggling pigs haggling for their lives. They curse their offspring while violently protecting them from – others. The primal instinct to provide for the young causes squabbling among the bitches…he sees there is enough. The males stagger, fall, their nature accustomed to violence. He remembers a time. He does not understand why they fail to notice the futility of competing for the title of ALPHA-MALE in a HUMAN society. He watches the cubs scatter, confusion, distraction. Each trivial hurt reflected in a chilling scream, crying, pleading, begging. The noise echos violently, torturing his mind – he can’t shut it out – LIFE. He needs a moment respite.

He opens the curtains. He stumbles forward, embracing the penetrating light. He closes his eyes, savouring the warmth on his aged features. He eagerly looks out to the awakening world. The hilly terrain covered in a morning frost delights his already stimulated mind. He notices the petite creatures gently peering out of their nooks – their fascination and timidity heightening his sense of tenderness and charity. He gazes up, admiring those soft, mellow clouds – grey, blue, yellow, pink, orange, violet. Sentimental words and gentleness are experienced by the breeze that caresses his flesh. He relaxes and embraces the tenderness of its touch. He looks out over the market place, exciting, loud and bustling with energetic life. The sweet aroma of freshly baked bread fills his nostrils, he can almost taste its melodic warmth – he pauses. He affectionately notices the populace. He sees the gathering HUMANITY flock to each other like a herd, seeking kinship, protection and love; each person acknowledging LIFE in the other. The women gossip chirpily among themselves, enjoying the company of friendly eyes. They playfully swat at their cheeky offspring while instinctively bartering down loud, expectant vendors endeavouring to provide treats for the children. Satisfaction. The husbands powerfully protective, strut, boast, daring the younger males to challenge their authority. They enthusiastically and vainly compete for the role of ALPHA-MALE – they good-naturedly laugh at themselves. He remembers a time. He watches the children, running energetically, leaping with the joy of momentary freedom, laughter… The sounds torture his senses with pleasure – he wants to feel more – LIFE. He reflects a moment.