Timber CLOUD: Architecture & spatial possibility

Abstract

The natural environment is complex because of nonlinear interactivities in its system and subsystem. How can we, as architects, help ordinary citizens, who do not have much formal training, to adapt to such a complex world? This thesis explores how architecture can help people use simple timber modules to fulfil functional requirements in various situations. It assumes that a building’s functional definition can be weakened, but users’ participation in the building can generate higher spatial diversity and flexibility. In Japan, there are already some architectural theories that support this thinking, such as Defeated Architecture, Natural Architecture, and Light Architecture. I define this as weak architecture, and instigate a literature review of relevant theories in this thesis. Based on timber’s material properties and a lightweight structure’s efficacy, the design approach of this thesis is in two parts. The first is three conceptual designs for expanding the use of my timber module in people’s daily lives. The second is the Henderson High School Shelter Design, which would test whether the timber module design would work and, if not, how to make it work. This real scale project would occupy about 90% of the thesis year, and the majority of this thesis would contain documentation of the process from start to finish, as a real life example of how the timber modules become a complete structure.