HI ALL

Here's my minima assignment, i began the design according to one basic sketch (and yes i used Microsoft paint), which i thought encompassed the idea of minima.the sketch shows that a space to be minimal is to shrink a space down into the smallest possible form, yet still being able to complete all wanted tasks (note: i didn't say necessary as many of our 'needs' are simply making a regular task easier).

With this in mind i began my development, and what better way to start then to look at regular items which encompass the above idea. In terms of a portable dwelling two good examples were a tent (the basic shelter), and the caravan (for the more indulgent), while then to look at an item which provides a greater function in a small package i looked at the idea of the Swiss army knife.

The Swiss army knife really indicated that for an object to be small, space must be used efficiently and that goes for the internal furnishings, which is what i moved onto next, i looked at various bedding options, while also looking at the potential study space.

as these theories became clearer i began to sketch initial ideas, where i feel to have made various advancements.

IDEA 1

This idea played with the idea of folding walls that can double as desks, cutting tables dining space etc. it also played with the idea of folding down into a compact bow which could be moved around on a trolley or canoe wheels (thanks Sam (tutor) for the idea )

IDEA 2

This idea worked quite literally with my research in that it was shaped as a Swiss army knife and everything to do with living flipped out leaving the central space empty for sleeping.

IDEA 3

The most underdeveloped of my ideas i really just started looking at the options of material which retracts as in draw curtains and elements which fold like bi fold doors.

REFINEMENT

I then attempted to include the ideas that stood out from all 3 designs and combine them to create a designs which adequately answered the brief.

I believed that the folding and multi-use walls of idea 1 was very good as it allowed for it to fold into a compact space. however there were problems in terms of stability and weather proofing. i then drew on the ideas of the draw curtains as potential roof and wall (when original wall was in a bench/desk form). then in terms of stability i thought storage boxes that were attached to each wall would be able to act as a footing like system securing the structure to the ground.

however the hinged wall system had potential to fail so i looked at regular doors and how they are stopped from moving (usually a form of door stop at the bottom or a peg which hooks to a wall). i applied the pegs to the wall and believed that it would be able to withstand plenty of force while still being simple to construct.