13 housing

Interior of unit show- ing collapsible spaces, balcony, and louvred exterior wall

Light from the exterior is filtered by translu- cent operable glass louvres, which enclose balconies that are in turn separated from the interior space by sliding glass doors. The louvres, which are vertical, can be pivoted to be completely open thus admitting breeze, direct light and sound. Alternatively, they may be shut to create a quiet enclosed balcony that is calm and infused with filtered light. There are many degrees of openness available to the resident and the variety is made manifest by the exterior appearance of the building. Yet more flexibility is made available by the pullout spaces, which can disappear into the interior wall of the unit shown.

Forsythe and MacAllen’s interest in flexibility is also expressed in their 2002 winning entry for the Aomori Northern Style Housing com- petition in Japan. Although the requirements of this project have changed since the review of the initial design, (the housing complex has been replaced by a museum and cultural centre) it is the scheme for a 200 unit hous- ing complex that is of interest here. Interior volumes expand and collapse, and exterior walls employ devices that may be controlled to manipulate light, sound, view and degree of privacy.

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