Open Wall
Plan View
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The notion of convertibility emerges out of the ambiguity surrounding the
manufactured house. With traits of the car and the house, manufactured housing
today tries to resolve its schizophrenia. Instead of identifying with either type,
the convertible house identifies schizophrenia as its inherent trait.
Convertibility is achieved using doors and windows, elements that operate mechanically. The nature and function of space changes as doors and windows unfold or hinge. These modulations involve light, view and scale of the space, according to use. For example, a bed that occupies an area of the room folds up into a wall that slides into a pocket to expose a window. A lightless sleeping space converts into a day-lit, airy and open work space. (Excerpt from Student's Project Description) |
Taking schizophrenia to be a positive attribute, Patty Rhee internalizes the mobility of the mobile home into the body of her project. Delighting in mechanical space making, the project alters itself through hinged doors, sliding panels, and folding planes. Rhee frees the interior spaces of the mobile home from traditionally fixed identities (living/sleeping, public/private) by allowing the occupant to alter their uses throughout the day.
Sarah Radding
Barb Stein