Bike House by FMD Architects

A site admeasuring approximately three hundred square metres, it was meant for a home to accommodate a family of four, and the brief was specific about ensuring flexibility in spaces, so that they can be altered and enhanced with the growth of their children and the needs of the family. The name ‘Bike House’ is fairly indicative of the affinity towards bikes the family has, and indeed, an important requirement from the design was spaces dedicated for the bikes, the primary means of transport, internally as well as externally.

The design principles applied involved creating of a simple cement sheet box, which has been tweaked with folded out elements for shading devices and privacy screens. The fence which surrounds the plot unravels from the building itself, as it folds down from the entry canopy onto the street and then winds around to conceal the bin enclosure. There are triangular perforations in the fence which fulfil the purpose of allowing penetration of light and is also a measure against local graffiti artists. The same material is also as a privacy screen on the first floor, ensuring privacy between neighbours. In a contrasting light, the southern wall is made of recycled bricks and is therefore offered as a canvas for these local graffiti artists. Internally, it has been left expose to serve as storage for racing bikes.

While the exteriors appear to be sleek, in the form of a grey sculpted box, the interiors have been designed with warmth, the rich texture and colour reflecting the lives of the users. A simple palette of exposed brick, concrete slab, local timber, ply and laminate have been used in the interiors. The conceptual unfolding of spaces and elements has been employed internally as well, with the kitchen ceiling wrapping down to transform into the cabinetry. Stone and time have been spliced together, imitating shadows cast by the canopies externally. Spaces fold and twist over themselves, in both the joinery and tiling, responding to the stretching and folding occurring on the façade.

The planning of the house has incorporated bedrooms as well as living areas, along with three additional spaces, which are flexible zones, as sought by the brief. For instance, one is situated downstairs and can ideally be used as a separate lounge, or even a bedroom, and similarly, the space so designated on the first floor can also be used as a play area, or a study, according to the requirements of the family in different times and context. At the end of the brick corridor space, a home office has been included, where either parent can work from home, or the children can make use of the space for a computer area. Moreover, a shed has been carefully concealed in the southern side of the building, which has space for storage more bikes and tools for bike builds.