Archive for March, 2021

Never Too Small: House in a constant transition

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"While the advantages of living in confined environments are undeniable, it must be recognized that many systems and organs, including those of sense, are designed and function best in outdoor environments. The visual perception of the surrounding environment is based on the convergence and projection of images on the retina of the eye. While viewing distant objects does not require work of focus, those close, below 6 meters, require the intervention of the ciliary muscle to increase the thickness of the crystalline lens and project the image correctly on the retina..."

"Technically, the ideal environment for man is the one in which his DNA developed, that is the open spaces of the forest (...)."

...it follows that, in the vast majority of constructions, the ciliary muscle is an exercise even when staring at the farthest object. It is an unconscious effort that apparently does not create disturbances, but has no alternatives in the confined environment. "
"Hearing is structured in such a way as to better hear the sound of objects placed in front and below but is affected by the interference of reflected acoustic waves: the reverberation of acoustic waves in confined spaces strongly limits the perception of the word and its intelligibility, so much that the best parameter for the usability of an environment from an acoustic point of view is the reverberation time, that is the residence of the sound energy inside the environment, while the natural tendency of the acoustic wave is to move away and disperse without return.
Exposure to humid, cold or too hot microclimates in confined environments induces physical or emotional limitations that affect daily life (dyspnea, inappetence, low vitality, dissatisfaction), conditions that are however easily resolved with building and non-medical interventions. "

Produced by: Newmac
Creator: Colin Chee
Producer: Lindsay Barnard
Director/Camera operator: Alessandro Carpentiero
Editor: Colin Chee
Interview: Philip Kolevsohn
Illustration: Alexander Klein, 1927, Functional House for Frictionless Living