I-BUILD HOUSE

The pace of our cultural development is becoming as fast as technology advances. As we adapt to the changes, we program our subconscious to work on routine like a machine - work-home-eat-sleep - and very little time is left for our families and ourselves. With the rapid advancement of the human world comes quick-solution living which impairs our ability cultivate essential values.

Schooling isn't the only source for knowledge as it is first gained at home. Whilst only at night can the family gather, how could parents "operate" as mentors to their child?

Disparate units of information become whole when the cognitive process of a child is balanced. Cognition can be gained from external and internal influences. External refers to the outside world, school, interaction with neighbors and the information we get from technology such as the Internet and the Television. Internal refers to the home as the first school where the parents become teachers and the house becomes a learning tool. As the child absorbs these external and internal influences, ideas can emerge and self-identity is gradually shaped.

Built as an independent structure or a unit in a building, the house can be divided into two areas - Creativity and Discipline. Zones for creativity can vary but main functional areas such as bathroom, kitchen, dining and living areas must be designated. These designated areas become a discipline zone where the main activities of the family are held, i.e., eating and studying on time, helping with the chores, et cetera. This area is important because it is where: the child learns about his parents, is taught by parents, and learns the value of togetherness. This culture in turn is carried on as the child grows into a responsible individual of the society in which he belongs.

I - Bar = the main component of the Discipline Zone It composes the dining and living areas, the study, entertainment, computing and internet surfing - merged into one "object". Because of the forced proximity of the individuals, this creates an opportunity for interaction and dialogue given the reality that they only meet after school and office hours. I - Bar becomes a cultural and social tool where communication between family members is the end result.

Available in different colors.It is a fabricated mold shaped into a hybrid of desk, table and a bench that comes with an overhead component housing the projector. The projector is used to throw out images, videos and visual output of the computer.

The private room of the parents can be designated but the rest of the house shall belong to the child. Leftover spaces become Creative areas where child's behavior, learning process and other activities combined - create possibilities of building.

I - Unit = A toy and a building material. Available in different colors and each can be sold in groups or separately.

I - Ceiling Plugs = Ceiling texture made of a translucent plastic material where the I - unit is to be plugged. It will serve to cover the lighting fixture and becomes an illuminated skin of the ceiling.

I-Unit becomes a toy and a learning tool for the child. He uses it to play, isolate, create and express his desires. It enables the child to build abstract environments that will reflect his whims, ideas and moods. It will serve as units representing aspirations, effort, and creativity with the parents' acting as models. As the child grows, an identity emerges defined by guidance and enabled by freedom to create.

The plan in the scheme presents a suggestive approach in using I - build. Regardless of shape and orientation of the design, harmony with the outside world is intended by using I-Partitions. It can be mutually opened and closed by the: outsider - independent structure; or, neighbor - a unit in a building; and the residents - for communication and interaction. Traditional Japanese homes were designed in symbiosis with nature. As for the I - build House, symbiosis takes place between the house and the outside world though the seamless window and the I - Partitions.

The challenge of creating a home for the Asian family must call for the enhancement of values and culture. We cannot deny the changes in our lifestyle as we continuously import western ideologies. Despite this, the design strongly believes that tradition is within us and values can be resolved though communication and reinforced in new and exciting environments.