Sunday, July 4, 2010

Source of inspiration 61 (click on this title!): Shoebox style


Do you know the shoebox style in architecture? It is characterised by predominantly rectilinear, orthogonal shapes, with regular horizontal rows of windows or glass walls.

This style of architecture is used in crowded areas, especially in Japan; many apartments there have the appearance of a shoebox. It is a way to build low-cost housing in limited space.

In Hong Kong, because of the lack of space, apartments are small and expensive. Gary Chang, an architect, decided to design a 344 sq. ft. apartment to be able to change into 24 different designs, all by just sliding panels and walls. He calls this the "Domestic Transformer."

I wonder if the famous nursery rhyme “There was an old woman who lived in a shoe” inspired Gary Chang?!

I find this style of architecture simple, but compelling.

Article by Alissa Viguier

No comments:

Post a Comment