I began the process of designing a dwelling for my character, Keeper of the Records of Rilke by deeply analysing who I believe my character is and what are his needs. The Keeper is a highly introverted character that has been isolated from the outside world his whole life. He has become accustomed to living a solitary existence within a cathedral and feels at ease within confined spaces and its familiarity. Ideas of introverted versus extroverted, open versus closed, positive space versus negative space etc. became the reoccurring themes. I broke the basic requirements of the design into private space, public space ad a transitory experiential element which bridges the two. I categorised the personality characteristics of my character that must be reflected within these spaces. Private contained: safe, comfort zone, a reflection of self, a collector and protector, introverted, pre-programmed existence, solitary confinement, a comfort in ones own presence. Public could be defined as: a need to share with others, to tell a story of his past to the future and to connect. The transitory experience must involve: stepping out into the unknown, and experiencing what the mind cannot conceive.
These principles strongly influenced my initial designs on Google SketchUp. My first concept consisted of three elements: a private residence containing a bed, study table and chair, bathroom facilities and toilet. A public pavilion housing the kitchen facilities, dining table and chair, fridge, living seat. The private residence is a highly introverted structure with few fenestrations to the outside world. This allows the Keeper to reflect within himself within his own private retreat. The raised structure is ‘tower’ like and holds a mirror within the void space of unit 7. The idea is a play on the words “self reflection” in both a physical and philosophical sense. The public space is open, and welcoming, to encourage interaction. Natural light is abundant, and the facilities are incorporated in an open plan.
The second design on SketchUp further explores a labyrinth like structure which is elaborated on from the first design. The empty space of unit 7 is positioned underneath the structure. The idea is that the Keeper can walk in the open for the first time; however the path never connects with the mirror. The Keeper can see his old self; however he cannot reach back to it, disconnecting himself from his solitary past.
Within the analogue model concepts, I began a deeper analysis of the Keeper in order to refine my design approach.
The Keeper withholds centuries of historical documents. This sort of exposure would have shaped him as a man of wisdom. I broke up the elements of wisdom and applied them in the design process. The qualities were knowledge, understanding and experience. Knowledge is what he already has; experience is what he must undertake in order to achieve his goal of greater understanding of the world around him. One tower, “knowledge” can be described as an introverted structure with a mostly concealed internal structure. “Understanding”, the second tower is open, resolved, interconnected, related to its surroundings and is filled with light. A bridge known as “Experience” is the crossing over sensation between the two. The tower is the opening at the top of “Knowledge” and contains a mirror like surface which reflects light down the structure to the bottom.
These principles strongly influenced my initial designs on Google SketchUp. My first concept consisted of three elements: a private residence containing a bed, study table and chair, bathroom facilities and toilet. A public pavilion housing the kitchen facilities, dining table and chair, fridge, living seat. The private residence is a highly introverted structure with few fenestrations to the outside world. This allows the Keeper to reflect within himself within his own private retreat. The raised structure is ‘tower’ like and holds a mirror within the void space of unit 7. The idea is a play on the words “self reflection” in both a physical and philosophical sense. The public space is open, and welcoming, to encourage interaction. Natural light is abundant, and the facilities are incorporated in an open plan.
The second design on SketchUp further explores a labyrinth like structure which is elaborated on from the first design. The empty space of unit 7 is positioned underneath the structure. The idea is that the Keeper can walk in the open for the first time; however the path never connects with the mirror. The Keeper can see his old self; however he cannot reach back to it, disconnecting himself from his solitary past.
Within the analogue model concepts, I began a deeper analysis of the Keeper in order to refine my design approach.
The Keeper withholds centuries of historical documents. This sort of exposure would have shaped him as a man of wisdom. I broke up the elements of wisdom and applied them in the design process. The qualities were knowledge, understanding and experience. Knowledge is what he already has; experience is what he must undertake in order to achieve his goal of greater understanding of the world around him. One tower, “knowledge” can be described as an introverted structure with a mostly concealed internal structure. “Understanding”, the second tower is open, resolved, interconnected, related to its surroundings and is filled with light. A bridge known as “Experience” is the crossing over sensation between the two. The tower is the opening at the top of “Knowledge” and contains a mirror like surface which reflects light down the structure to the bottom.
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