living with the castle

15
8/14/2019 Living With the Castle http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/living-with-the-castle 1/15 LIVING WITH THE CASTLE ! A REPORT PREPARED BY DAVID PARSONS!

Upload: parsonsd5965

Post on 30-May-2018

215 views

Category:

Documents


0 download

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: Living With the Castle

8/14/2019 Living With the Castle

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/living-with-the-castle 1/15

LIVING WITH THE CASTLE!A REPORT PREPARED BY DAVID PARSONS!

Page 2: Living With the Castle

8/14/2019 Living With the Castle

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/living-with-the-castle 2/15

L I  V I  N GWI  T HT H

E  C A S T L E 

DA V I  D

P A R  S  ON S 

INTRODUCTION!This paper will discuss the suitability of the Castle (C2) as a crisis building, and stems from direct

research through living in the building over a number of months in a number of different locationsand situations.!

My objective was to gain an understanding of the benefits that living in a small building may present

through first-hand experience. C2 was an ideal building for gaining such experience and provided anopportunity to test the buildings suitability for habitation.!

The intention was to habitate the building in three different locations, thus providing knowledge ofhow I used the building regardless of the surroundings and immediate environment. This would also

allow me to assess the buildings suitability to accommodate a varied set of user requirements, as

imposed by the different locations and situations.!

The following pages detail my findings regarding the building and its function. !

Page 3: Living With the Castle

8/14/2019 Living With the Castle

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/living-with-the-castle 3/15

Page 4: Living With the Castle

8/14/2019 Living With the Castle

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/living-with-the-castle 4/15

 3 

L I  V I  N GWI  T HT H

E  C A S T L E 

DA V I  D

P A R  S  ON S 

!- Plumbing!

The plumbing is not great, and could use a going over. Initially the water pump did not work, and the

cold water hose to the sink leaked [I have since fixed the pump however the sink still leaks

occasionally]. Draining the sink takes along time as the hose runs primarily horizontally not vertically,and the plumbing itself it not tidy, taking up more space than necessary, and making the building

look unfinished.!In addition there is no hot water, which is fine for short stays but not for prolonged visits. Boilingwater on the stove works well, but no kettle is provided. Electric systems are available, as are solar

and gas options.!

Bathroom !

recommend for future use] to assist in the composting process it is frustrating that no dedicatedstorage has been provided. I would recommend a lidded space approximately the size of asupermarket shopping bag.!

books, shoes, clothing etc. If anything there was potentially too much

storage space provided. Further the addition of closable, and potentially

lockable spaces would be good for valuables and items not requiringdisplay [such as tools etc.].!

!- Windows!

Generally the windows are a failure. They are too small to provide any real

views out, and provide only minimal day lighting. They are nearlyimpossible to cover up, which makes privacy an issue, particularly after

dark. The only window I found useful was the one above the sink; which

while being too low to provide a view, presented a small ledge perfect forsitting hand-cream, soap, washing brushes etc.!

!- Gas Connection!

The gas works really well, being both simple and efficient. A manual would

be useful for occupants unfamiliar with how to get gas systems working, butapart from that it is perfect.!

!- Window and Louvers!

The window and louvers are excellent, and work

wonderfully. My only concern is that the timber louvers

are easily removed [when the window is unsecured]which poses a potential security issue given the size of

the opening. In addition to providing good ventilation

opportunities and views the window is wide and deepenough to provide storage space.!

!- Composting Toilet !

The toilet is excellent and operates well. It produces no

smell, yet the fan should be kept on to assist in the

composting process. Composting works well, yet toiletpaper use should be minimised as it composts the

worst. Changing the tanks is simple and easy, requiring

only a screwdriver.!

!- Storage for Sugarcane Mulch!

Given the building has been equipped with acomposting toilet, which requires an organic medium [I

used sugarcane mulch, which was excellent and I would!

Page 5: Living With the Castle

8/14/2019 Living With the Castle

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/living-with-the-castle 5/15

L I  V I  N GWI  T HT H

E  C A S T L E 

DA V I  D

P A R  S  ON S 

!- Toilet door!The toilet door is not well designed. A sliding door is not a good idea [sorry, it could be a good idea if

done better than this] for a transportable building, especially when it cannot be fixed into position. In

addition to this design flaw it appears that the door has not been well installed, with the screwsattached to the runner [above the door] not holding, and stopping the running gear [which even

when the screws are fully in can still catch due to the low clearance between the two], thus the door.

Likewise the door can return to within the wall cavity becoming difficult to access, particularly whenthe building is on a slope.!

!- Storage Spaces!

The storage spaces provided are excellent, with the one near the shower unit great for toiletries [if!the sink functioned], and the lower one above the toilet good for storing toilet paper. The second one

above the toilet is probably unnecessary, while the window provides excellent storage, as it is deepand wide.!

Lofts !

!- Shower and Sink Unit!

One of the more frustrating aspects of the building wasthe bathroom sink and shower unit, which underinspection was found to be completely disconnect from

the water supply. !

!- Toilet pipe!

The external pipe from the toilet is well positioned and is

a good length. In addition the rear right support leg

holds the pipe off the ground during transport.!

!- Lighting!

Lighting is adequate given the role of the space,however the light is a different tone than others within

the building, and for this reason could possibly be faulty.!

- Size of Space!

I think the size of the loft space is potentially underutilised. If it was designed with a fixed single bedthen the extra space could be used to provide the space with a second function. This would be

advantageous considering its size [relatively large], especially if the fixed bed included a backrest

thus doubling as a comfortable seat.!

- Window!

The Window is lovely and quaint. It should face east [if the building is correctly orientated for solaraccess] introducing morning sun and heat into the space, which could be provided with user !

Sleeping Loft!

!- Bed!

There is excellent space provided for a bed, fitting a

double mattress perfectly, or a single mattress with

room for other things [books, clothes etc.]. I think thebuilding needs to be equipped with a bed permanently,

or fitted with an appropriate one [single or double] whenpicked up or delivered to site, as bringing your own may

not be an option for some of its occupants. The flat

space above the utility/kitchen wall is a good space tosit phones, keys, books, etc.!

Page 6: Living With the Castle

8/14/2019 Living With the Castle

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/living-with-the-castle 6/15

 5 

L I  V I  N GWI  T HT H

E  C A S T L E 

DA V I  D

P A R  S  ON S 

controls, as not everyone is a morning person. The addition of louvers is great, but could be

improved with the addition of flyscreens. Another idea worth musing would be the addition of a

skylight, which would; A. Introduce more natural light into the building, B. Provide the occupant withnight sky views, and C. If operable, could be incorporated into a stack ventilation system.!

- Height!The height is excellent, and more than ample for sleeping. It would be advantageous to have a

vertical wall within the loft as a backrest for sitting, as the space is underutilised without this option.Ordinarily though the height is perfect, I have never hit my head and can always reach the light

switch.!

- Light Switch!

The light switch has not been well considered. When the light is turned off from the light itself [as the

case when getting into bed] it cannot then be turned on from the front door switch [as the case whenpreparing to go to bed].!

Storage Loft!- Window!

Great idea have a louvered window up high for ventilation, which it does wonderfully, however it isreally difficult to access for operation, requiring moving then climbing the ladder, then reaching out

quite a distance to the controls [dangerous given the ladder is prone to tipping]. It either requires a

flyscreen [mosquitoes being the main reason I required the window closed] or a remote controllingpoint somewhere.!

- Required!

In all my time living in the Castle I didn ʼt really use the loft as the amount of storage I required was

fairly well catered for [through the utility wall and the shelf above the window] and I didnʼt require a

spare bed for any visitors [however it would have been quite difficult accessing both loftssimultaneously].!

- Size and Potential!Given the space is generously proportioned it makes

sense that if the loft is to remain it should be utilised inthe addition of another function [reading space with

book storage, etc.].!

Main Space !

!- Ladder!The ladder was by far my most loathed aspect of the

castles design. Functionally the ladder is too slender,and prone to tipping, while the backed foot holes do not

leave much room for your feet [potentially dangerous].

Spatially the ladder is poorly considered. In using thespace, the ladder is continually in your way, and in a

simple task such as cooking, the ladder will require

movement 2-6 times. Additionally, because it has nofixed location, and its base sits out from the wall it takes

up considerable space, and makes the buildings

internal volume seem considerably smaller.!

!- Bench Seat!The bench seat functions poorly for a number ofreasons. Sitting on the seat is generally uncomfortable,

and the best location for sitting [in front of the window,!

Page 7: Living With the Castle

8/14/2019 Living With the Castle

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/living-with-the-castle 7/15

 6 

L I  V I  N GWI  T HT H

E  C A S T L E 

DA V I  D

P A R  S  ON S 

to get a view] is either impractical [when the window is closed] or impossible [when the window !

is open]. I used it very, very rarely and instead resorted to using a collapsible camping chair, which

allowed a lot more freedom, comfort and convenience.

a view mean that the building is open to breezes, which is great when its hot, however undesirable

during winter. I have a fear that during winter, the occupant will need to choose between warmth and

views [the role of which should not be underestimated within micro housing].!

!- Carpet!Carpet is excellent, and really makes the place more welcoming and comfortable. I think the spacewould be unsuccessful if the carpet was removed. In addition the carpet tiles are easily removed,

and cleaned [or potentially replaced] which is great from a functional and maintenance based point

of view.!

!- Storage!

The storage above the seat is excellent, and well sized [length and depth] for the storage of clothing,towels, blankets etc. It is well positioned vertically, and the only suggestion would be a greater edge

or simular device to limit views of stored objects. The under seat storage [not its primary function] is

nice, and is an idea which could have been adopted more widely. It is however good for the storageof a broom, and limited tools.!

!- Table and Desk Space!

During the majority of my stay within the castle I did not require any desk or table space. A

removable table would have be a nice addition, however difficult to position due to its spatial

consequences when in operation. I think the best solution would include a pivot table, capable ofpivoting and changing position while in use. !

!- Tall Space!

One of the most successful aspects of the buildings design is the tall internal volume, which

significantly increases how we perceive the space, making it feel significantly larger than it actually

is. This should be an important consideration in the future design of these buildings.!

!- Furniture!

While some fixed furniture is provided, flexibility and adaptation would be a great addition. As earliermentioned I made use of a collapsible camping chair, which when collapsed could be stored easily!

behind the door. I have designed a number of simple stools [flat-packable and requiring no fixings in

assemblage] to be included in the castle for future occupants and would suggest a suitable number

of movable seat to be around three, one outdoors, one indoors and one for visitors.!

!- Access to Power!This is particularly frustration, yet simple to solve [I hope

to have fixed this before returning the castle to its

operators]. The only power point is the one on theinverter, thus to plug in a device the occupant must

open up the large bench seat. This is undesirable as the

bench is the only fixed seating and thus often hasobjects placed upon it. Additionally there is no notch for

the placement of the power cord, thus the seat must be

kept open, or chocked open during power use. Asolution would be the addition of a power point with

clear access from the main space.!

!- Bi-Directional Views!

The two main views [only large openings], the door and

the window work excellently open, however to get!

Page 8: Living With the Castle

8/14/2019 Living With the Castle

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/living-with-the-castle 8/15

L I  V I  N GWI  T HT H

E  C A S T L E 

DA V I  D

P A R  S  ON S 

Outdoor Space / Deck !

!- Deck!

The deck is excellent and connects the building with its

immediate context. As far as I am concerned it is afundamental element of the building and should not be

removed. In scale it is ample but could be made larger.

Furthermore it is an excellent height to be sat on, and atemporary table [which I intend to design] could be

included for use over the tow ball, however its height is

an issue in providing access [I had many visitors and aconsiderable percentage decline to enter the building as

they were unable to navigate the deck]. On a negative

note the deck is very heavy, adding to the buildingsoverall weight, and could prove dangerous to handle.!

!- Lighting!

Some form of lighting should be included on the deck,

to make the space usable after dark and to make

unlocking the door/building entry easier after dark. Thislight could be automatic or switch controlled.!

!- Access!

As mentioned the deck is itself to high for some people,

thus the addition of a number of steps would be

excellent. A simple, light weight, two step unit could beconstructed [ which I intend to design if one does not

already exist] and stored in the building during transport

then positioned during the building set up process.!

!- Overhang!

The external overhang from the storage loft is excellent, providing shelter for the front door andproviding a possible location for the addition of an exterior light.!

!- Door!The front door is both good and bad. The pivoting nature is good as it requires no door handle

[security and allows the deck to sit flush during transport] yet doesnʼt operate to its full potential as

the door is lovely and wide but only operates at a standard door width. In addition it creates a deadspace where the door swings, consuming valuable internal space. Furthermore the door had no way

of fixing it in location, thus would be moved easily by even weak breezes. This has been solved by

the addition of a pad bolt which slides between the decking boards, effectively allowing the door tobe fixed at any angle.!

!- Table and Awning!

Mr Harry Tams expressed a desire for me to design a removable table [for outside the main window,

above the tires] and an extendable awning [for the same space]. I have subsequently designed the

removable table [at a height suitable for the flat packable stools also design] however feel the bestawning solution for this application probably already exists within the caravan industry.!

Windows !!- Bathroom Window!

Excellent, providing ample natural light and great ventilation opportunities. The frame around thewindow provides great storage space and my only concern is that the window is a possible security

issue.!

Page 9: Living With the Castle

8/14/2019 Living With the Castle

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/living-with-the-castle 9/15

 8 

L I  V I  N GWI  T HT H

E  C A S T L E 

DA V I  D

P A R  S  ON S 

!- Sleeping Loft !

This window is excellent, and works really well. Aflyscreen would be a great addition as would be a

skylight.!

!- Storage Loft!Good idea, but not carried out to its full potential. It

would be successful if it could be operated withoutleaving the ground floor.!

!- Little Windows!

The little windows on the utility wall are, again a nice

idea, however prove challenging concerning privacy,

and not being operable limits their potential for

ventilation or to act as exhausts for the kitchen. Theyare too small to provide any real views, or allow

adequate day lighting.!

!- Main Large Window!

Good for access to limited day lighting, and as an operable aperture allows excellent ventilation

opportunities and great views when open. The material itself does not provide enough privacy afterdark, nor adequate views out when the window is closed [resulting in an uncomfortable indoor

space]. A better solution would perhaps be glass, provided it could handle transportation and the

stresses of being the back to a seat. Glass however would require that the building be equipped withsome sort of blinds or curtains.!

!- Mosquito Netting

!

Mosquito netting would be a great addition but would need to be considered from the start of the

design process, so that the louvers could be fully operable. It would only be required on a number of

windows – those designed for ventilation, and should be a cheap addition. !

Services !Power!

- Provision!

The provision of power seems excellent, with the solar panels doing a great job. Initial problems in

getting the inverter to function were solved [in future the inverter isolator switch should be located

better], and a guide to this process is recommended, and will be provided in the castles manual. !

- Storage!

The battery storage seems ample for the buildings requirements. The batteries location could bereconsidered, as access to them isnʼt really required and the space could be better utilised.

Additionally their access hatch required sealing [to prevent gas from entering the living space]

before occupation of the space, which limits access to the inverters isolation switch.!

- Access!

Access to power is very poor given the only power point is within the only decent seat, which

requires everything to be removed from its surface before opening. This is poorly planned, and caneasily be fixed with the addition of a more accessible power point within the main space. Ideally

there would be a power outlet next to the kitchen preparation space, probably with 1- 2 outlets, and

another next to the seat, again with 1 - 2 outlets.!

- Lighting!

The lighting is generally excellent, and requires no set up for the lights to be operable. Throughliving in the space a few observations were made. Firstly the main light within the space is above the !

Page 10: Living With the Castle

8/14/2019 Living With the Castle

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/living-with-the-castle 10/15

 9 

L I  V I  N GWI  T HT H

E  C A S T L E 

DA V I  D

P A R  S  ON S 

bench seat, however the storage shelf above the seat blocks most of the light, thus reading is not

possible on the seat. Secondly the loft light can only be switched on downstairs if switched off from

downstairs, which is rare as generally the light is on until the occupant goes to bed, then turned offfrom bed. The bathroom light is a different tone than the others and provides little light.!

Water!- Hot Water!

The building lacks hot water, and while solutions are available a suitable one has not been chosen.This is not a great problem as a stovetop kettle warms water effectively, however it would be a nice

addition if the shower was operable.!

- Cold Water !

The provision and storage of cold water seems great, with the bladder storage capable of 35 litres

plus [the maximum I stored at anyone time]. The plumbing however is not as good, with the hosesunder the sink dripping occasionally, and the sinks waste water only moving slowly [not a big

problem]. I have rewired the water pump [which was incorrectly hooked up] and thus down is on,while up is off. The sink works well, while the bathroom shower/sink unit is no connected in anyfashion.!

- Users Manual!I will include a section on operating the buildings

water [provision, storage, and operation] systemwithin the buildings manual, and have donated a

plastic funnel to make filling the bladder easier

[stored within the bench seat].!

Gas!

The gas system works really well and is a success.The stove unit is efficient and safe, while connecting,

and setting up the gas is an easy process [I will still

include a section within the buildings operationmanual]. I would suggest the purchase of a gas tank

to be kept with the building, as not every occupant

will have the opportunity to bring their own.!

Transportation !

!- Sheer Weight!I can only assume that this is a know issue. The buildings overall weight [approximately 2.8 ton] isconsiderable and requires a fairly large vehicle to transport it. I understand that this is mostly due to

the standard construction method used, and adopting an integrated structural response, such as

used within the caravan industry would significantly reduce the buildings mass. I believe mostmodern entry level 4WDʼs [such as the Nissan X-trails] have an un-braked towing limit of around

750KGʼs, which would be a great, and very ambitious target weight. !

!- Location of Axels!

In my experiences towing the vehicle I noticed how much its rocks back and forth. This is due to the

buildings weight being primarily behind the axles, which makes it challenging to tow and potentiallydangerous.!

!- Lighting Voltage

!

The type of vehicle required to tow the building [in my experience] is a medium sized truck, which

generally have 24volt trailer connections. The castles 12volt connection is more suitable to small

vehicles, generally incapable of towing the building.!

Page 11: Living With the Castle

8/14/2019 Living With the Castle

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/living-with-the-castle 11/15

1  0 

L I  V I  N GWI  T HT H

E  C A S T L E 

DA V I  D

P A R  S  ON S 

!- Deck Attachment!The decks transportation fixing is economical and worked brilliantly. My only concern is that when

the building is not in transport the connection hangs out from the edge of the building, and ispotentially dangerous. Additionally the deck is very heavy, and could be dangerous to some

occupants during travel preparation and post travel unsecuring.!

!- Internal Fixtures!

As the building furniture is all fixed the building is well prepared for transportation, however a useful

addition would be some closable storage items. During transport I would lay the ladder on the floor,then store my belongings within the footing holes, which worked well, however without the ladder I

would have had nothing to fix my belongings with [should be considered in future iterations]. !

!- Bathroom Door!The bathroom door has been terribly designed for a transportable building, with no fixings what-so-

ever and poor workmanship. If this idea is used in future iterations [which is a good idea, as spatially

it does work very well] heavy duty fixings should be used, with sturdy workmanship, and theprovision of fixing the door in a number of locations, including a transportation position.  !

Setting Up Camp !

are not included with the building. I would suggest employing a more forgiving, more flexible solution

to levelling the building.!

!- Setting Up!

Once positioned and levelled the occupant can begin setting up the building internally. The deck

requires lowering [which could be challenging, even dangerous given its weight] and the power,water, and gas appropriately connected [for which instructions will be made available within the

users manual. Given the spaces internal arrangement, fit out is a quick and easy process, generally

taking no longer than 20 minutes.!

!- Positioning!

The building must be positioned in such a way to havesolar access for the photovoltaic panels, which needs

to be made clear within the users manual. Additionally

given its weight, and the size of vehicle required tomove it, the building can be very difficult to move into

some positions [such as down driveways, narrow roads

etc.].!

!- Levelling!

The building really does need to be level internally [forthe sink to drain properly, occupant to sleep, etc.]

however this can be extremely difficult to achieve if the

site is not flat. In my first three locations the ground wasuneven, and levelling the building is both labour

intensive, challenging and extremely time consuming,

to the point of frustration. I required a shovel, spirit leveland a car jack to level the building properly, all of which!

Page 12: Living With the Castle

8/14/2019 Living With the Castle

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/living-with-the-castle 12/15

1 1 

L I  V I  N GWI  T HT H

E  C A S T L E 

DA V I  D

P A R  S  ON S 

 Furniture !

!- Stools!

I have designed a simple stool which could be reproduced a number of times and which is flat-packable [for transport and when not in use], easy assembled and requires no tools or fixings. The

idea is that these can be used both indoors and outdoors, with a number of them being stored within

the castle for use as required.!

!- Camping Chairs!

I found the use of a collapsible camping chair brilliant, as it could be easily moved/removed asrequired and allowed full flexibility of placement within, and outside of, the building. I would

recommend that one be kept within the castle for future occupants.!

!- Outdoor Table!

I have design an outdoor table, which, while not functionally required would be a welcome addition. I

spent a lot of time on the deck and the surrounding spaces, and would often sit a number of objects

at my feet for lack of a suitable table.!

Other Considerations !

an ill-fated theft attempt. Security is an issue on a number of levels. Firstly, the building is obviously

towable [one of the first things visitors notice] and as such runs the risk of being stolen. Manysolutions to this problem already exist within the caravanning industry. Secondly, the main window

and door, being a plastic product could potentially be broken, and are an ample size for someone to

climb in through. Thirdly the bathroom window [louvered] runs the same risk, as louvers are easilyremoved, and the window is large enough to provide internal access. I was concerned during my

stay that the original thieves may return, and failing to tow the building away, break into, or vandalise

it, both of which would be quite easy. As far as safely is concerned I think the building is relatively

well equipped, however I would recommend the addition of a first aid kit, fire alarm and a fireextinguisher as permanent [and possibly integrated] safety features.!

!- Maintenance!

The building seems to require little in the way of maintenance. I reapplied a couple of coats of oil

onto the exposed external timbers [and will donate the remain to the castle], and apart from that thebuilding seemed to be going well. When parked in an environment where trees drop leaves onto the

buildings roof the small gutter needs occasional cleaning as it does fill up easily.!

!- Cleaning!

The building is simple and easy to clean, and generally jobs are done as you go [such as washing-

up as dirty dishes take up too much space]. I have donated a broom for the carpet [which requiressweeping once to twice a fortnight depending on the buildings environment] which stores easily

beneath the bench seat and in my whole stay I didnʼt really need to dust or clean the windows. The

stove/sink unit is easy to clean, as is the composting toilet [hardest part is sliding the rubber sealdown on its ventilation chimney]. Cleaning may have been require more often if the shower was

operable given the bathroom contains no extraction fans.!

!- Aesthetics!

The building has a strong identity, and stands out as

an interesting and different housing model. I had a

range of responses to its appearance, from childrencalling it a ʻbig cubbyʼ to people asking ʻif it came in

any other colours?ʼ. Most people would look at it,

gauge it, then consider it a particularly odd andstrange caravan.!

!- Security and Safety!

This became an issue for me during my stay within

the castle with the building being itself the target of!

Page 13: Living With the Castle

8/14/2019 Living With the Castle

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/living-with-the-castle 13/15

1 2 

L I  V I  N GWI  T HT H

E  C A S T L E 

DA V I  D

P A R  S  ON S 

!- Target Audience!

The building is currently not quite perfect for long-term occupation [requiring a functional bathroom,

and better food storage] and is over equipped for short term stays [also under equipped, andrequiring a lot of additional requirements ]. I think the design could be improved with a stronger

assessment of the building key user groups and their requirements, as currently I think it is between

two options and doesnʼt really suit either perfectly.!

!- Additional Requirements!

I would recommend the addition of a number of items to be included permanently within the building,which include [but not limited to]:!- Stovetop Kettle ! ! ! !- Gas tank!

- Mattress, pillow and bed sheets ! !- Limited cooking equipment!- Cutlery and crockery ! ! ! !- Collapsible camping chair!- Broom ! ! ! ! !- Sugar cane mulch and toilet paper!

CONCLUSIONS!Summaries !

- Kitchenette and Utility Wall !

Generally works very well, however the addition of more ʻpurpose builtʼ storage spaces [cutlery,

garbage, esky, etc.] and the adoption of hanging spaces [for pots, pans, etc.] would make animprovement.!

- Bathroom!

The elements which work, work very well, but as a whole I would consider this a toilet only at this

stage, until the plumbing [for the shower and sink unit] is addressed, and hot water provided.!

- Lofts!

The lofts are great, however there is the potential to add more functions as they are large spaces,which could accommodation other features. The ladder is an issue that needs attention, and while

not a bad idea, requires a complete rethink.!- Main Spaces!

The main space is lovely, and very nice to occupy. I would recommend considering how the seating

works, and how the internal space will operate and feel during winter when the apertures need to be

kept closed.!- Outdoor Space / Deck!

The deck is one of my favourite aspects of the building. The importance of ʻclaimingʼ outdoor spaces

should not be underestimated.!- Windows!

The window work on a level, however I think they need to be reconsider, based on their role[ventilation, views, connections etc.] within the building.!

- Services!

Power, gas and cold water provision is excellent. Access to power could be further considered, and

the addition of hot water would be great.!- Transportation!

The main issue with the buildings transportation is obviously its weight, and how the weight is

distributed, followed by its trailer connection and securing internal features [such as the bathroomdoor].!

- Setting Up Camp!

Excellent, however the deck is heavy and would benefit from the addition of a winch, meanwhile,levelling the building requires a complete rethink and a new approach. !

- Furniture!

While the fixed furniture is generally good, seating [and flexibility] needs to be improved, and someitems could be kept with the castle as part of the ʻkitʼ, such as collapsible camping chairs.!

Page 14: Living With the Castle

8/14/2019 Living With the Castle

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/living-with-the-castle 14/15

1  3 

L I  V I  N GWI  T HT H

E  C A S T L E 

DA V I  D

P A R  S  ON S 

- Other Considerations!

The building generally functioned very well, however its security, safety, and target audience [user

groups] need further consideration.!

Key Findings !Firstly and most importantly, the building is lovely to live in, and I thoroughly enjoy the time I was

lucky enough to spend in it. I gained a stronger knowledge of the environments I was living in, thebuilding and importantly myself from the experience. The building is an excellent object for simple

[and satisfying] living and teaches many important lesson on how living practices can become

simpler, more satisfying, more efficient and more sustainable.!

While I did identify a number of issues and flaws with the building, this does not reflect on its

success as a pleasant living space. The issues identified were in most cases ʻlived aroundʼ and

resulted in me doing things differently that usual, which was not a problem and quickly becamesecond nature. I think a certain level of compromise is a natural part of our lives, regardless of our

choice of dwelling.!

One note that should be made is the relationship between the castle and caravans. Functionally

they seek to address the same issues, and provide the same facilities, however, I found myselfcontinually explaining to visitors that it isnʼt a caravan, and that it was instead a micro home [albeit a

transportable one]. I think this distinction is important as it suggest a different user/building

relationship, which is in itself cause for further investigation.!

I think another note, which should be made, is that the building currently sits between two different

typologies that of long term micro living and short term emergency accommodation. I think that adistinction really needs to be made as to which the building is going to achieve, as in its current state

it does not satisfactorily meet the requirements of either. In addition to this the building needs to befurther fitted out, with the inclusion of certain living equipment which ordinary occupants would nothave the opportunity to bring with them, such as a mattress, stovetop kettle, gas tank, etc.!

In saying all these things I do understand that this is the first liveable version or a set of futurebuildings, and that these issues are a natural and important part of the design process. In looking to

the future I would suggest further investigation into the caravanning industry, as they have

addressed many of the same issues the castle is facing [such as weight, security, spatialarrangement, etc.].!

I can only hope that this report can be used to illustrate the issues that arise from directly living inthis building, and that this knowledge can be utilised in the design of future castle iterations. As

mentioned the building is absolutely lovely to live in, and I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it.!

David Parsons!

Page 15: Living With the Castle

8/14/2019 Living With the Castle

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/living-with-the-castle 15/15

1 4 

L I  V I  N GWI  T HT H

E  C A S T L E 

DA V I  D

P A R  S  ON S 

In addition to this report I shall be preparing an operational manual for future occupants of the Castle

and will make myself available to assist in the design, construction and subsequent testing of anyfuture projects. I shall also make available the various items designed for the castle, and their raw-

files, for future modification or fabrication.!