Interior Architecture: Writing Across Scale

Interior Shaped By Levitation

In my original Jenga 1.0 project the exterior floats in space. Integrating architectural elements floating in space on the exterior set the tone for what was to come on the interior. The overall unit was carefully balanced by an interior wall on one end and a column on the other, both protruding down through the floor plane to the ground level along a central axis. Floatation, as a manifestation of levitation, became the vehicle in expressing the conceptual framework of the unit that included its relative kit of parts.

After merging my individual unit into the group of six and twelve, the exterior floating elements have now disappeared. However the floating architectural essence remains. Echoing the connection points between the juxtaposition of the C and vertical elements on the exterior of Portmanteau, the floating elements in my unit can be found between the vertical and horizontal planes. In this spirit of levitation I have continued to articulate balance and order between strong horizontality and verticality in architectural planes of Portmanteau and shape my individual space in a meaningful way. Drawing upon inspiration in images shown below, the spirit of mystery, illusion, and lightness is subtly expressed in the design layers of my space in terms of the architectural elements, furnishings, and finishes as inspired by Portmanteau.

Precedents of floating architectural elements used as inspiration for the space.

www.johnpawson.com

www.flickr.com

http://kitkadesigntoronto.com/?p=12157

As you enter the unit you see to your left a floating wall that subtly hovers above the floor plane, positioned alongside a contemporary kitchen with a generous center island. The floating wall of translucent glass creates a pathway that moves you along an axis leading to a floating staircase ascending to the second floor or ahead to the private area that includes sleeping and bathing. The use of translucent glass in the movable, floating wall follows a cue of glass in Portmanteau adding lightness to the space to give cues to varying privacy of rooms. At the same time, on the exterior faces of the structure, stretches of glass enforcing dematerialization lie in contrastwith vertical steel support beams "welling up" to the roof, creating the concept the capture and release to the outside. world. A sculptural bathtub of honed natural marble floats above the floor defines the bathing area.

A perpendicular fixed, central wall serves as a divider between the kitchen and living areas from the private area beyond it. The height of this dividing wall is the same as the height of the windows allowing light to carry over the wall and makes the space seem as one. As with Portmanteau, a sense of relief is provided from solid walls allowing a transfer of light to enclosed spaces. It is an open, airy space filled with a generous amount of light from the surrounding windows. Continuing in the spirit of being a light filled space with ties to Portmanteau in its sense of materiality, the finishes are light in tone. The generous expanse of the living area showcases light Bamboo floors continuing the light wood details on the exterior. The living area is anchored by a central column with an embedded horizontal fireplace. The furniture in the living area is defined by a contemporary sofa where the seat cushion appears to be floating supported by a metal base where the floor can be read below. It appears light, airy and comfortable.

In the spirit of mystery and illusion, floating elements are incorporated in different ways to transcend the space to a magical place, shaped carefully by thoughtful connections between floor and ceiling planes connecting to the exterior concept of Portmanteau. Hovering walls, horizontal seat cushions and fireplace floating fireplace set a tone for the occupant to be touched in a inspirational way as driven by the architecture of levitation.

Precedent as inspiration for furnishings