Open Architecture Network

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
Fresh eyes and innovative minds have been harnessed by the Pick ‘n Pay 36sqm Design Challenge to bring better lifestyle and the best use of space to those in overcrowded, tiny, low cost houses. "Too many people and not enough space are at epidemic levels in the RDP housing. It’s normal for 6 to 8 people to share 36sqm," says Charles Maisel of Men on the Side of the Road (MSR), an award winning NGO which trains unemployed men in a variety of skills including many facets of building, co-ordinated the competition. The two winner of the 36sqm Design Challenge were architect Aram Lello, of Gapp Architects and Urban Designers, for space utilization, and Y. Tsai, of Tsai Design Studio for furniture design. Aram's idea of adaptable living space using mobile cupboards and fold-up bed were put to test in an 40 year old RDP house, where a family of 10 lives. Tsai Design Studio collaborated with Aram in the design, detailing and implementations of the concept. The new plan consists of a versatile Living Area flanked by two bedrooms, separated by mobile wall partitions. During the day the bedrooms can be made smaller by pushing the partitions back. This enlarges the Living Area by 4 meters, creating flexible space for a multitude of purposes. At night the partitions are pushed forward to create two sizable bedrooms. This expansion and retraction of bedrooms space is made possible by a fold-up double bed in the bedrooms, that fits snugly into a boxed wall unit with cupboards either side.