The smallest house

Idea by

Derk Thijs

Thijs Architecture

http://www.thijsarchitecture.com

Grimselstrasse 18, Zürich, Schweiz, Switzerland

We have a specific interest in smaller scale interventions in the city and the re-use of existing buildings. We believe it is crucial to densify the use of the city, to add as much meaning and space to existing conditions as we can. We put great value in the form these processes take in terms of materiality, colour and its resultant atmosphere.

Call for ideas 2016

The dense future city will boost the need for a private retreat into the landscape

# Environment

As 75% of all people will live in cities by 2050, the role of the landscape will change. The city densified, its inhabitants living ever more hectic lives, there will be a growing need for a retreat into the landscape.

This need for a retreat into landscape will not be solved by parks or scenic views solely: there will be a need for a private place which is quiet, away from home and hectic daily life. Seeking refuge from the city, more and more people will look for the landscape nearest by. Jetting to the next big city will become less interesting, as cities grow ever more similar.

If every city dweller claims a hut outside the city, this would mean the end of the natural landscape. Therefore, the 'smallest house' should be in landscapes within the urban fabric. Three locations and types of 'smallest houses' are proposed: the allotment garden, the peripheral car-park, and the landfill. Displayed here is a study for the smallest house in the allotment garden.