To take a quote from this year’s curator, Aaron Betsky: “Architecture is not building. Architecture must go beyond buildings because buildings are not enough. They are big and wasteful accumulations of natural resources that are difficult to adapt to the continually changing conditions of modern life.”

Even the Biennale’s title “Out There: Architecture Beyond Building” enforces the idea that the architectural structure as a singular and static unit is reaching it’s end.

Concepts for Future Apartment Living addresses this problem. An “Ersilia Tower” is never completed, so perhaps it is a building in the most literal and transient sense of the word, in that is never actually built but in a constant state of transformation. It is simply a modular form reminiscent of lego blocks in a child’s playroom: An apartment design that can be placed anywhere on the existing building as its need is called into existence.

MoMA - Linz, Austria: A building that uses screens as part of its design. As a result, it has the potential to change its appearance over time as its surroundings evolve.

A lot of this innovation has focused on stylisation, and the production of new technology as a result.

In an Ersilia-style tower, design remains innovative, but also optimised for function. It is ideal for a site where space is restricted. It is also suitable for dynamic spaces, as an Ersilia apartment is designed so it can be added onto the structure if the capacity demands are not met over time.

Modular Apartment Structure

This building can evolve as the city evolves around it.

Nodebox site

Some Nodebox images: