In an effort to efficiently optimize the living quality and minimize its footprint and environmental impact, this project is trying to re-interpret the meaning of micro-living via condensing all necessary programs into 3 most fundamental scenes(or so-called rooms), sleeping(bedroom), dining (kitchen and dining place) and washing(shower and toilet). All 3 scenes will be compactly encapsulated in a cylindrical core.
By implementing a revolving-stage mechanism, the core of 3 scenes are integrated and fixed on the rotatable platform, shifting the programs from one to another on its axis and marking a sophisticated integration between house programs and the theatrical function of a stage. Aiming to remove the need for unnecessary circulation or transitional spaces like corridors or lobbies that are typically placed between different spaces, and infusing a distinctive dynamic character, the rotatable core is capable of maximizing its internal mobility and flexibility of living, while sitting with a minimum footprint.
In the entrance, a shoe-box volume is plugged into the cylindrical core, separating this cabin into Front of House(FOH)- a space that opens to natural light, and Back of House(BOH) – spaces that are concealed in the dark. Since all the transitions from one scene to another rely on the rotary mechanism, each scene only becomes usable and programmable by the occupants while it pivots to connect with FOH, making the definition of FOH uniquely dynamic and offering a playful interaction between the house and residents.
Water, a crucial resource for a person’s daily living, is collected and processed into different levels of quality in accordance with the end-use requirements for 3 distinctive scenes - sleeping, dining, and washing, e.g., filtered water can flush the toilet or water the plant, and purified water can reach drinkable level or be used for showering.
The whole built-in water treatment system in the microhouse is a compact step-by-step processing mechanism propelled by gravity thanks to its verticality of stacking in a well-designed order above the rotatable space, diminishing external energy consumption.
From the rooftop to the base pit, the whole system consists of several necessary equipment like a vortex filter, rainwater storage tank, pipes, and so on. A rainwater harvesting plate is integrated on the roof in an attempt to collect and store rainwater, connecting vertically to other equipment below. The vortex filter is capable of efficiently filtering out most of the harmful, unwanted particles. Subsequently, the clean filtered water will be further purified into drinkable quality by reverse-osmosis apparatus, supplying for the use of drinking, cooking, and washing. Eventually, all wastewater flows downward into a centralized aggregation of sewage pipes, connecting to a septic tank for storage and further treatment in the base of this microhouse.
