My architectural thesis project titled Mobile
Mansion, Hotel as Home in 50 years time, was the subject of a year
investigation into what makes a home and whether it can exist without grounding
in space and time.
The project was expressed through a genetically coded,
parasitic organism which humans interact with and adapt to suit their needs for
a home environment. The project was an open-ended investigation which has given
me lots of loose ends to follow, dwell on and think about. I want to now address
the question from the opposite approach; a home must have grounding in space
and time, that is, a place.
The model made for the project was of a parasitic
structure suspended and growing out for the middle of an existing, static
building structure of steel and concrete columns. The soldered metal and
mangled reinforcing bar sculpture was positioned, spurting out from a grid of
circular holes in a black, waist high plinth.
Due to space restrictions the
plinth wasn’t kept and the rest was planted as a garden sculpture in my Mum and
Dad’s garden. As it has weathered, the mangle of cubes representing a parasitic
growth, have sunk closer to ground level so now they look as if they are armoured
insects crawling out from the ground.
The reinforcing bars are like shoots
coming out of the ground, allowing plenty of room for this insect to climb and
grow. I liken the process of settling to be an orb type cluster forming and
then finally settling into a grounded position, still able to move and grow yet
being rooted and firm.
In the time since I have graduated, all corners
of my life have had a major shake-up. I view my life with my centre as a sphere
orb in the middle of a cube frame. There are four corners, family, home,
relationships and work. Each affects my sphere but I should be able to back
them far enough into the corner and even ignore them for a while so that the
sphere isn’t majorly knocked.
I want a simple life where I know who my friends
are and where they are, I want my family close. I want a fulfilling job,
satisfying extra-curricular activities, hobbies, interests etc. Most of all I
want to live with love; listen to my heart and follow it; yet be able to
dissect and analyse my thoughts and feelings using my head.
I think inevitably
a person becomes grounded in a place and time. I have found a place that for
now I am not ready to leave. It provides me with everything I seek and has
exceeded my expectations at every turn so far.
A home tends to come about through recognition of
the same basic needs, cravings and ideals. Connection and a shared history are
an enriching experience. Home is about love. Love has a way of gluing and
holding people in a pattern, not so it is limiting, more so it is supporting,
encouraging, nourishing, lovely and too good to leave for too long.
