10. lab / prototype
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/93c4534edcd1935356ce79c7acb9424acca2c0ff3f05ffca4f3a80f9cf0018df/infra-gif.gif)
2020
m. arch. y1 s1
student house as a lab / prototype. innovative outputs from the lab return to the building & shape it such that it becomes a prototype. redefining innovation.
in collaboration with alessia deguara & gabrielle farrugia
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/c1304fc1850b5a12d1f88b73553c1307cf3013b5ebc7e151bbda0a6770162d79/IMG_8531-2.png)
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/3a08b54a1de592171d2620df821b7bd24648af5b5b24341a7300d7a47b1c0517/20200225175253.png)
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/4cfec7a21c2bcdfb0e9d555b7652ef261b96597201031e191d177f7dde47b775/export-moving-edit-circle.png)
from boundary to interface
flexibility, change & growth: planes which can be moved / rotated but also detached & replaced with materials or products created by university students in the labs & workshop spaces. thus the student house becomes a living testing ground & a showcase for innovation.
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/e282b3a985c39adf787664be5e8c7576039ee39fbf6657dd5fdf8d2f54c976ab/export-2016-v2.png)
in transforming the boundary into an interface, we chose to retain the columns & beams, the main entrance as it acts as a landmark, the ditch wall around the perimeter which is a distinctive feature of the building, as well existing slabs & walls where needed.
the central courtyard was re-instated (after its enclosure in the last few decades).
these elements were our focus in order to ensure legibility of the building while meeting the needs of functionality & privacy for the proposed programme.
thus the proposed building emerged as a hybrid of new & old. an additional slab was inserted at a new in-between level while still respecting the existing structural order & solid-void rhythm on the facade.
new materials were used to demarcate proposed additons, namely steel beams to support the new slab & steel columns to extend the building structure vertically.
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/b1ae021ae8058441b57c5d155ba86a1e081d6c46b474945fd4aa25166badf1e0/plan-programme-gif.gif)
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/a9d3d6204f26ca3ad224facfc63b803260c218c5a0a35d8036d668e71cefce10/slow-route.png)
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/03e18a8b8ede98b5787990f042aab15e309a176c0774b11a01ca1778fc1e0334/pasteups-1.png)
collage of interior: eating & relaxing area
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/25597170a8239a1b7be01b818c92ff0e7fc85d15a904a9acf281a69a4a9cbac5/pasteups-2.jpg)
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/7d6e437cb1f4dbeba751f31af3f7e8d9ff702debe5a389418aa2e83fd6b04f9b/student-house-west-merged-cropped.png)
collage of exterior: materiality
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/79a4ca5287080f7be059a2999ec3b766c1d3e2c5cb9339bc77bc3938d16509ad/north.png)
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/988ad8c04a2533f75709cc21a756ae3379b66650dd7b3283cf063388dfd9f19d/west.png)
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/68f9f26b6c13856d33d40884b0e618f65b03f38667dd37d9579d61e6324a4913/IMG_8338.jpg)
![](https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/d6a15ad80a4a715433a0780c0a43f576e016a57f3efa060dbe2a8502349110e6/IMG_8339.jpg)