- Site-specific cases
This project tries to reimagine the expansion phenomenon in Taipei as possibility for an alternative model of affordable housing at the current situations of a global housing inequality. This project questions conventions of the domestic, property ownership and the economic and political implications of the home. Own nothing, share everything.
It addresses the precarity of domestic space in the current climate and explores alternative models on ways of co-ownership by co-producing, co-caring and co-managing spaces, that can be used individually or collectively. The variety of spatial arrangements offered by these expansions in Taipei is to not be neglected from our profession lenses, thus it is relevant to celebrate this phenomena and learn from it and the imagination that these spaces offer.Based on specific case studies intentionally preselected in Taipei, it becomes clear that there is a possibility to subtract elements that we as designers can use to rethink new scenarios.
1001 Expansions of Taipei | The project explores the “Expansion” phenomena in Taiwan, which consists of the extended space attached on an existing building as additional space and value for the owner. These informal structures are spread all over Taipei as a second layer of the city. In my project I explored the potential of this spontaneous way of creating new spaces which can be translated into design strategies as an alternative solution for the affordable living in the city.
Expansion Epiphany | The rooftop expansion is one the of most common type in Taiwan. Somehow the unique perception of public realm of taiwanese makes this kind of the space fo far out. due to the demands of accommodation and the raise of housing prices, this kind of cheap constructed space becomes a convenient space to rent out, due to its affordable price for the young generation.
Collective Rooftop | Creating variety of living facility, through sharing cost and time. Re-arranging the left over space to create a continuous common space. This additional space of the building on the rooftop usually functions as a cheap rental room for the city providing only the fundamental need for living, by exploring the possibility of running these rooms collectively through sharing the facilities to benefit their living condition.
Groundless Ownership
Common Space as extended space for a living unit | Possibility of the room to be expanded into the commons in need of the user’s to transform it
