PORTLAND HOUSING STUDIES
a psychological look at housing...
Through a series of housing explorations in Portland, Oregon, I used psychology as my key motivator for each project. I utilized ideas about extroverts versus introverts, group dynamics, and Gestalt’s idea of “the whole being other than the sum of its parts”. Each one of these psychological studies prompted spatial conditions of lighting, materiality, and spatial sequence.
1. Row House - Introvert vs. Extrovert & Theory of Personality
In Jung's psychoanalytic Theory of Personality, he believed that personality is can be simplified to the idea of the introvert versus the extrovert. Extraversion and introversion is a central component of many human personality theories. Extraversion tends to be manifested in outgoing, talkative, energetic behavior, whereas introversion is manifested in more reserved and solitary behavior.
When considering the architectural implications of this theory, I developed two floor plans and facades that highlight the Extrovert and the Introvert. The Extrovert Row House has a primarily glass facade with operable windows while the interior is characterized by curving walls that provide interior privacy. This row house is open visually to those walking by on the street but retains privacy through interior components. The Introvert Row House features windows, ventilation slits, and doors that can all be closed and created a single, closed facade. In contrast, the interior of this row house is open with limited walls to provide an airy and open feeling for the interior.
2. COURTYARD HOUSING - THE WHOLE IS OTHER THAN ITS PARTS
My Courtyard Housing scheme focused on Gestalt's theory of "The Whole Being Other than its Parts" and so the neighborhood is other than the houses and the houses are other than the individual spaces.
The use of all the available space was an another important component of the scheme, both in between and outside of the units, which allow each house to feel complete, expansive, intimate, and yet highly connected to its neighbors. The varying square footage allows for a variety of users, both young and old, both middle class and affordable housing.
3. HOUSING BLOCK - GROUP THINK THEORY
Brewer's Theory of Optimal Distinctiveness is a social psychological theory seeking to understand ingroup–outgroup differences. It asserts that individuals desire to attain an optimal balance of inclusion and distinctiveness within and between social groups and situations. Utilizing Brewer's Theory of Optimal Distinctiveness, I developed a four block Portland neighborhood.
This development contrasts with normal neighborhood developments by adding modular variety - a term that might seem contradictory - through a grid floor plan pattern while varying the height, width, and materials to knit together a cohesive and yet very distinct neighborhood. I began by focusing on one 220' x 330' block and the determined how 10', 20', 30' could be used for maximum site density while carefully orchestrating the bioswale in the middle of the development.
Feature A: Permeable Paving & Green Roofs
The material changes from the hard concrete of the sidewalk to the softer yet sturdy permeable paving of parking stalls. This allows the ground to absorb any run off, allowing green to peek through the concrete and visually signify a change in use for pedestrians and cars.
Feature B: Materials & A Sense of Place
This neighborhood uses vernacular language and materials for a timber frame construction and wood siding. This vertical siding for the walk-up apartments and courtyard housing using Shou Sugi Ban technique.
Feature C: The Alley & Pedestrian/Car Safety
To visually create a separation of space for pedestrians and cars even through the materials on the same level. This also brings another layer of texture and detail to the already rich textural environment of this development.
My "Modular Variety" includes a Row House type, a Walk-Up type, a Starter Home type, and a Live/Work type.
The Row House utilizes the vernacular sloped roof of many Northwest houses with wood siding. This 1200 square foot Row House is 20' by 30' and has two bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen, a study, and a nice back patio.
The Walk-Up apartments utilizes the brick construction popular in Portland. It contains three apartments with an exterior stair. Each of the units have two bedrooms and access to an outside area.
The Starter-Home utilizes wood frame construction with maximum square footage for its users. This 600 sq. feet home mimics the vernacular roof of the Row House whole adding to the height variety of the neighborhood. This house is for new couples or retiring ones. They are crucial cornerstones to the housing development.
The Work/Live breaks from the traditional outlook on a live/work housing unit. It uses brick construction and features a divided space between working and living with an elegant connection to the outside and distance from the more private rooms upstairs.