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2054: A FUTURE HOUSE (p. 3 of 4)

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | May '04

BEDROOM

Designers have always been interested in projecting an image of the future house. When we look at images of "houses of the future" designed in the past – a future we have by now caught up to - we see that these initiatives have largely missed their mark. This is because the temptation is to try to redesign the basic functions of our life, and then propose an aesthetic order for that future life.

Our design for the bedroom begins instead with the assumption that although technology will progress exponentially, it will not alter the order of our being in a fundamental sense. So – a bedroom in the future will be more comfortable then a bedroom today, more reactive, more environmentally sustainable, more connected, and more aesthetically sophisticated; but in a fundamental sense it will remain a bedroom. Likewise, we will evolve, in every sense of the word, but we will remain human – and as such will require a room to sleep and rest in, and in which to share our most intimate needs.

Our design assumes leaps in technology which we cannot fathom today. Instead of considering these largely technical innovations as generating principles for the design, we propose to orchestrate and house them together in service of an architectural idea.

Envelope
Any discussion of a room in the future must begin with the envelope separating interior and exterior space: the walls, floor and roof. We propose that these be super – reactive to the needs, comforts and habits of the inhabitants. The envelope will radiate heat or cold into the interior to condition the room depending on exterior temperature and the ideal comfort of the inhabitants. Also, any surface of the room can potentially become a media wall / data connection / work surface. A completely connected three-dimensional display can appear at any moment, on any surface, allowing in a casual manner to communicate, work and play.

Lightwell
The perimeter of the room will have a highly reactive light well. It will change shape, opening and closing like a flower, to modulate natural sunlight in the room. A silent mechanism will bend and curve the lightwell to condition light levels to the needs of the inhabitants. The lightwell will orient itself to provide solar heat gain to the room in the winter, thus reducing the need for heating. In the winter, the lightwell will provide cross ventilation, shading and heat exhaust, to increase comfort and reduce the need for cooling.

Bed
For the bed we propose a large wood tray that houses a comfortable mattress and also incorporates night tables and lighting. Smart fabric for the bedding will densify or loosen in reaction to body temperature to ensure comfort. The smart fabric will also be able to change colour and texture based on the mood of the inhabitants.

Courtyard
The bedroom will have a direct relationship to a sunny private exterior courtyard with a fragrant planted garden. When weather permits, the sliding doors between the bedroom and courtyard can be opened to create one larger indoor / outdoor room; fresh air flowing into the room is conditioned by the planting outside.At night the glass panels in the sliding doors turn opaque for privacy and darkness. An additional purpose for the courtyard will be to harvest rainwater for use as a secondary water supply in the house.

Lounge Chair
We propose a lounge chair for the bedroom which is also a piece of art – providing comfortable casual seating in addition to being a focal center for the room.

Screen
A sculptural wood screen will provide privacy (or transparency) for a large closet beyond.

Tub
We propose a majestic freestanding tub as an essential component for the bedroom.

Omer Arbel is an architect and furniture designer living in Vancouver.
www.some.ca

HOME OFFICE

We anticipate a completely blurred line between work and home in the next 50 years. Cultural and economic roles will evolve along these lines, and home working/gathering spaces will be completely adaptable to your family’s changing lifestyle. Technology will become an invisible accessory, fully integrated into the physical and digital architecture of your home. Instead of keyboards and screens, you’ll have voice- and intention-activated devices. Technology will help design spaces that meet your functional, esthetic and emotional needs, bringing relaxation and contemplation into the home.

The office’s walls, floors and ceilings are evolved screen surfaces that display and mimic any environment in full digital holographic, three-dimensional perfection. Yet the style of furniture and home accessories will remain classic, with a respect for timeless design and craftsmanship.

Managing partner Paul Filek and creative partner Diego Burdi founded Toronto's burdifilek, one of Canada's foremost boutique interior design firms.
info@burdifilek.com

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | May '04