Moments in Micro-Communities
Part II of III of my FYP Research Project regarding the topic of Micro-ness, this Volume researches upon how pockets of public spaces just out of homes can be created into communities. was inspired by the Kowloon Walled City in Hong Kong and how such a large density could fit into such a small space. This such spaces sort of then creates a community within the community, or a micro-community. The idea of having a self sustaining space was interesting and I was wondering whether it could fit into the context of Singapore. However things would differ in terms of the how it was build due to the uncontrollable growth there versus here. This would be my theoretical framework in looking at how communities can be formed within small spaces.
Block 24 is a single room rental flat built in 1972. Currently being occupied by the aging population, with a very minute percentage of small families. This block is one of the three blocks that was built in that generation whilst the surrounding blocks was only built a decade or more later. The units are built facing each other with narrow corridors which makes the space feel tight and dense. Due to this personal belongings that are placed out of their homes clutter the walkway and some are pushed to the staircase where they would gather or place plants to grow. The site was chosen because of it’s miniscule space, which was similar to how the walled city was, structurally. The challenge for me was to figure out how to make the best use out of the tight space to create a community within it.
By recessing of wall in the corridor, it becomes a much spacious space for users to inhabit. The space created would be deep enough to add personal furniture into the space, without compromising their living standards within their homes. The recessed space creates a veranda for them and this unspoken line which acts as a personal space owned by the tenant of the space. It becomes a transition space for them in between the private space of their homes and the public space of the outside
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