Designing for multiple purposes

Overall, I believe this design successfully tackles the complexity of designing for multiple purposes, giving multiple circulatory routes to access rooms without interrupting functionality. It also significantly improves the energy efficiency of the community spaces, with careful consideration of how design decisions can impact the daylight and solar intake as well the environmental impact of material sourcing and production.

Designing for future adaptability poses several complications when it comes to manipulating the volume of the space. Over designing can threaten the flexibility of the space, as architectural details may hinder functionality. Instead, movable divisions and large open spaces provide a middle ground, ensuring seamless circulation between areas. The new design accommodates smaller community groups by creating divisions (e.g., the Ramblers Group) while also facilitating larger events by removing the divisions, promoting community togetherness. Given more time, I would explore construction methods for minimal waste and experiment with permeability to address acoustic and visual concerns between spaces.

The glass corridor plays a crucial role in the success of this adaptable scheme, addressing the lack of daylight and solar gains during morning and midday hours. Designed with a domestic architectural quality and a domestic material palette, the space embodies the concept of a "community living room" conceived during phase 2. Through technical and experiential experiments, we reached conclusions regarding thermal conductivity, sound absorption, durability, carbon footprint, reflectivity, and cost-effectiveness of the materials. Calculations guided the form factor to minimize the carbon footprint and optimize solar intake by minimizing the reveal between columns and beams.

Technical solutions played a significant role in maximizing the accessibility of the structure in this multi-generational scheme. Lowering door cills, for example, became integral to the design of the threshold between the courtyard and the glass corridor. To enhance safety, a more readable internal layout could have been explored to ensure easier escape in the event of a fire. Ultimately, this project aimed to maximize the performance and capabilities of the RMW while prioritizing durability and functionality.