Y5 Project 01
Topographical Habitation Ephemeral Perception

The Response to a chosen case study, in relation to understanding the cardinal concepts and notions of the given project, enabling  a 
critical interpretation of an acknowledged topographical habitation. 

The case study: a social housing project in
Mulhouse, France, designed by French architects Lacaton & vassal, defines an alternate way of looking to temporal space within concepts of urban dwelling in the provision of a 'free space' as a type of winter garden. 

The project entitled ‘Ephemeral Perception’
reacts with the provision and fluidity of 'temporal space' in relation to the static nature of a core of dwelling and the everyday. As we use what are
considered 'items of the everyday' - the cup, the chair, the table (the ready-made) we formulate repetitive conditions and patterns of movement.
Patterns that are subordinate in nature and  not necessarily visible, but are inherent as bodily actions throughout both our daily and yearly
cycles.

Think of the repositioning of the chair or table each year to make way for the Christmas tree. This activity happens at a seasonal time-scale, the position reverts to a similar place as

last year. whereas the repositioning of the chair at the dining table occurs at a daily time scale, and the position most reverts to where it was at breakfast. As we understand these modes and time-scales in relation to a set context. e.g. The
living room, the dining room, the kitchen we determine an increased comprehension of the inhabitative needs. Something we should see as paramount to the application and design of the modern dwelling.

The introduction of temporality diversifies both the usage of place, and its relationship to time, altering the inhabitants experience and perception of space and reformulating a freedom to the activity.

Throughout the project we see an understanding of the notion of time; in relation to place and human habitation or activity. We look to explore/redefine, traditional notions and concepts
of a set domestic context and to what the freedom of the temporal space provides in relation to compact domestic urban dwelling. 
The project asks... what is? The kitchen, the
bathroom, the living room, the dining room and how can we interpret these contexts or (topographical habitations) to better experience our condition of living and the everyday. 

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