Duality

Abstract

The work seeks to understand the nature of architecture where House and Institution coexist. Specific architectural constructs support the archetype of house in order to provide an instant notion of Home. The constructs range from the visual to the experiential; where reality and imagination find common ground. Even though the House in this context is meant to be inhabited for a short period of time only, the architecture seeks to provide an immediate sense of home in the moment of transition for a mother and child, who are coming out of a domestic violence scenario.

In this context, the relationship between House and Institution is regarded as symbiotic. The Institution suggests a public identity, providing places for therapy, consultation, and other types of assistance to the adults. For the children, the architecture includes places for the presence of books with an invitation to read. The architecture of House is based on individuality, a kind of receptacle for idea of Home. For the mothers, the space between this duality will offer places for gathering, sharing and learning; for the children, the architecture aims to be magical.