Project 09: Refuge
Inhabited thickness

This design project proposes a refuge space for females and children facing household matters such as domestic violence. The site is surrounded and enclosed by existing buildings. It is also named “Hidden Nest” to emphasise the primary function of this building (as the ‘nest’ where residents can shelter themselves from danger).

Atmosphere

The main atmosphere of the Hidden Nest (HN) is related to daylight. Since the site of HN is lower than the graveyard, a large window is introduced in front of the shared living room to draw more daylight for the residents. Louis Kahn once said, “Natural light gives mood to space by the nuances of light in the time of the day and the seasons of the year, as it enters and modifies the space (Buttiker, 1994, p. 10).” The daylight would provide a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere for residents of HN.