08  Living Single, Living Together

Elle Gerdeman

A duplex redefines the concept of shared living and offers two residents the constant presence of one another without direct, continuous contact. The design challenges preconceived notions of sharing a  space, employing subtle shifts in walls to mediate the relationship between individuals and their environment. The walls, defying their boundaries, function not only as physical separators but also as social catalysts, creating opportunities for selective visual and physical interaction.

The partitions become dynamic architectural elements, dividing and connecting spaces simultaneously. Their deliberate placement and form compel residents to navigate over, under, around, and across them, encouraging new and sometimes awkward methods of interaction. These encounters transform mundane movements—crossing a threshold, ascending a staircase, or passing through a hallway—into active methods of engagement, fostering an evolving relationship between the inhabitants and the architecture.

Core I  – PROJECT  |  2021 Fall