Week 2: Reflective Design Process

Task: Apply the constructive criticism model in evaluating a design or artwork. 

The Constructive Criticism Model

• Description - What is there?
• Analysis - How are things presented, especially in relation to one another?
• Interpretation - What does it mean? How does it make you feel?
• Judgement - How successful is it?

The Crane Rooms by Aristide Antonas [ Source: JustWatch ]

Design to critique: Crane Rooms by Aristide Antonas

Part One: Description - Single-room houses extended on a crane, from a truck or concrete. The height at which the room is at can be adjusted. Floorplan sketches reveal that within the room there exists a perhaps super-single bed with enough space for two people, a television, a shower with a separate space for the toilet bowl and sink, a work and closet space. The room is open-air with just only beams for a roof and wall coverings on opposing sides of the room. A strong internet connection is available. There is no kitchen within the flat; according to elaboration by the architect, there exists a communal kitchen underground that serves all the rooms in the vicinity.

The rooms are designed to be installed on 
arid beaches and inhospitable hills [ Source: Archdaily ]

Close-up of one of the rooms [ Source: Amazon ]

Part Two: Analysis - The crane rooms, though presented as a cluster, also allow for a certain degree of isolation, considering that they can be at different heights, and are also a distance away from one another. 

Their white-washed design seems to be moving towards some kind of minimalist simplicity. This tendency towards simplicity is further reinforced by the greyscale furniture and square layout of the room. At the same time, the materials used here appear to be upcycled, taken from scraps at construction sites.

Concept art from the architect [ Source: Aristide Antonas ]

Part Three: Interpretation - The architect here seems to be promoting a tiny living lifestyle, with minimal consumerism and only the essentials required. He might also be trying to promote communal living with a degree of privacy considering that although the rooms are isolated, the kitchen - an essential space for survival - is still a communal one, forcing interaction between residents.

Part Four: Judgement - While this is an interesting concept in theory, I'm wondering how feasible it is to actually live in a house on a hill that does not have a roof covering and windows, considering that it is usually colder and more prone to precipitation higher up. Combined with the fact that these materials seem to be upcycled metals and wood, rust and mould are sure to encroach after awhile.

The goal of promoting a minimalist lifestyle here would also be achieved, but this seems more to be forced on the resident instead of an actual choice. I am doubtful about how long one could possibly live in such a space once family sizes start growing, and the fact that there is literally no room to define oneself in such a tight space: every wall and part of the floor is already colonized by some form of furniture. This concept might work better perhaps for couples or individuals who spend long hours at work and only see their homes as pods to sleep in.

The serenity of isolation would maybe be the one goal definitely achieved here, as one could definitely physically get away from others in this crane feature. But again, still needing to interact with the communal kitchen unless one only goes there at peculiar hours.