The Compact Home

Aalborg University, The Minimal Dwelling, Group Project, September - December 2011

Designing a family home requires an understanding and insight into the culture and habits of the family. Families live in different settings throughout the world and therefore their requirements for their homes differ. Designing a home required an understanding of the specific character of the family. In this project, the home was designed for a Danish family consisting of two adults and two children.

The site in this project is the Eastern Harbour in Aalborg and the building is required to be 5 x 12 x 16 meters in size.

Through research, sketching, model building and diagrams the concept was developed. Natural light and movement within the building are the main focus of the project and these parameters contribute to the overall ‘shape’ of the dwelling. Whilst allocating the rooms’ location, the phenomenon of the mental space was considered as a key aspect to create an illusion of a larger spatiality.

Based on the function and amount of light desired in the different rooms, ‘forms’ were created. These forms are also reflected in the facade of the building, creating a connection between the interior and the exterior of the building.

With specific boundaries for the building and a unique concept for movement and light, a modern innovative family home was design. The family in mind can enjoy the constant contact of each other, where nothing is particularly private or hidden within the home. 

Mental space is used to make the journey within the home both exciting and unusual, where spaces overlap and are open to all. The staircase is a dramatic expression of the movement within the building, expanding from each space in a continuous loop spanning from one end of the building to the other. 

The kitchen is the hub of the home, this is placed in the centre of the building to ensure an ability to see all the way to the top of the building.

Interaction of the family plays a significant role in the building’s identity, therefore no enclosed rooms are within the centre of the home.