Residential Open Building: An Architecture for the 21st Century

1
Wenswonen
one part of the base building, showing three
floors, before the interior fit-out decisions
have been made
2
Wenswonen
the same part of the base building, with one
variation in floor plans selected by the future
occupant
3
Wenswonen
the building is designed to allow each
dwellings facade and volume to be designed to
match individual preferences and budget.
4
Wenswonen
Individual dwelling units can be increased in
size on the back, by attaching a room extension
module to the concrete frame.
5
Wenswonen
Users can plan their own dwelling units volume,
layout and façade using a custom-designed
software package on a CD.
6
Japan
Japan is the other major center of activity in
Open Building. More units have been built there
than anywhere in the world. Experiments
continue today with investments from both private
corporations and various levels of
government. Two major directions of development
are evident, one centered on the Century Housing
System concept, the other on the Two Step Housing
Process.
7
Japan

• The first focuses on a life-cycle analysis of
  building systems.

8
Japan

• The first focuses on a life-cycle analysis of
  building systems.
• The second emphasizes the complementary roles of
  the public sector in providing part of the
  housing process with the private sector providing
  another part.

9
Next 21
Next 21 is an experimental project sponsored by
Osaka Gas Company. It anticipates the more
comfortable life urban households will
characteristically enjoy in the 21st Century. The
skeleton was designed by one team. The exterior
façade system was developed by another team.
overall view
10
Next 21
The individual dwellings were designed by 13
different architects, each of which used the
façade system to match the interior of that unit.
Each unit's interior and exterior layout were
freely designed within a system of coordinating
rules for positioning various elements.
close-up view
11
Next 21
Ground floor plan
12
Next 21
Second floor plan
13
Next 21
Third floor plan
14
Next 21
Fourth floor plan
15
Next 21
Fifth floor plan
16
Next 21
Roof plan
17
Next 21
NEXT 21 was constructed as a whole, but designed
in such a way that its various subsystems can be
adjusted with ease. To test this objective, one
5th-floor unit has been renovated.
unit 504 before and after
18
Next 21
Another unit was also renovated. Here are the
before and after floor plans.
The façade of that unit was also altered as these
pictures show. Some parts were reused. All work
was done from inside the unit.
19
Flex Court Yoshida
Flex Court Yoshida in Osaka is an example of a
Two Step project adapted for the rental market.
The interior infill is neither entirely owned nor
entirely rented. The skeleton uses an inverted
slab/beam floor system, and a number of companies
are supplying the infill elements.
view
20
Flex Court Yoshida
Skeleton / infill / cladding diagram