BUILDING SERVICES

Building services are essential for our daily lives, yet they often receive little appreciation. Architects frequently marginalize them, and clients prefer not to engage with their complexities. Typically, the design of building systems is delegated to external engineers and consultants, happening after the initial architectural design phase. Architects often view these systems as a “necessary evil.” Currently, building services, especially air conditioning systems, are designed in inefficient, complicated, and bulky ways, consuming significant space. This has led to the need for a “superposition” consultant to help navigate this complexity.

This problematic design approach stems from the contemporary architect’s perspective, which is influenced by external motivations. As a result, spaces often fail to achieve their fundamental purpose of creating a well-tempered environment. Drawing inspiration from Reyner Banham’s writings, I believe that architecture should provide an environment conducive to human activity, free from unnecessary aesthetic and cultural constraints.

This project proposes an alternative design paradigm where building services dictate the spatial configuration, transforming the space into a “servant” of these services. In this fictional scenario, conventional ducts, pipes, and complicated systems are eliminated. Instead, inhabitants reside within dynamic inflatable “environmental bubbles” that adapt based on the consumption of services like air conditioning and water.

This project aims to rethink traditional design approaches, positioning the provision of basic needs—water, air, electricity, and more—as the foundational principle guiding the design process.