chicago architecture biennial: house no.11 by MOS architects

on the occasion of chicago’s inaugural architecture biennial, new york-based MOS architects has constructed ‘house no.11 (corridor house)’ — a full-scale dwelling comprising several individual components. each of these orthogonally positioned modules approximates the dimensions of a standard corridor and a sheet of plywood measuring 5×10 feet, (1.5×3 meters). consequently, the overall configuration is loosely organized around a collection of external spaces, but remain disconnected from the ground plane.

the full-scale dwelling comprises several individual components
image © designboom (also main image)

‘at some point, before the existence of twitter, the corridor killed a certain type of architecture,’ states MOS. ‘courtyards collapsed into light wells; diagrams became buildings. it was all about transit, all the time. architecture focused on the circulation of things, people, air, light, goods. space became a lubricant. it was almost spiritual. architecture embraced the new efficiency of the short circuit, a faster way of getting from one place to another. as space was replaced with movement, stuff was jettisoned, and the leftovers piled up. nowadays, corridors are a necessary afterthought, an indifferent space joining ‘this’ to ‘that’ in houses everywhere ‘house no.11’ occupies that circuitry.‘

the orthogonally positioned modules approximate the dimensions of a standard corridor
image © designboom

intended to resemble ‘the strange figures of suburban vernacular corridors along with the openness of a miesian courtyard house’, MOS architects’ design uses the standard dimensions of corridors, but reconfigures them to maximize internal living space. different areas of the habitable installation include a bed, a desk, chairs and a bath tub. vo trong nghia architects and selgascano have also constructed full-scale dwellings as part of the same exhibition — see their respective designs here and here.

the overall configuration is loosely organized around a collection of external spaces
image © designboom

corridor space is reconfigured to maximize internal living
image © designboom

the project has been constructed within chicago’s cultural center
image © designboom

model of house no.11 (corridor house)
image © MOS architects

A photo posted by designboom (@designboom) on Oct 2, 2015 at 4:21am PDT

the chicago architecture biennial provides a platform for groundbreaking architectural projects and spatial experiments that demonstrate how creativity and innovation can radically transform our lived experience.

the inaugural chicago architecture biennial, north america’s largest international survey of contemporary architecture, launched in october 2015. through its constellation of exhibitions, full-scale installations, and program of events, the biennial invites the public to engage with and think about architecture in new and unexpected ways, and to take part in a global discussion about the future of the field.

the chicago architecture biennial is the vision of mayor rahm emanuel for a major international architectural event and an outcome of the comprehensive cultural plan developed by chicago’s department of cultural affairs and special events. it is presented through the support of BP, and in partnership with the city of chicago and the graham foundation for advanced studies in the fine arts.

the chicago architecture biennial remains open to the public until january 3, 2015.