living behind the travelling wall house by atelier RZLBD undefines limits

the very meaning of a dwelling goes beyond walls

to mark boundaries and to protect all that one loves is the essence of a house, but to physically ground the sense of existence is a different kind of confining, which is what atelier RZLBD is provoking with concept ‘wall house’. with the idea that surrounding walls imply a materialistic culture of owning a property, the architects go beyond spatial limits. inside versus out or utility versus spiritual- the very meaning of a dwelling lies between what can be measured or expanded indefinitely. the never-rooted home travels into the vastness of the universe as a space is never defined unless chosen to be; ‘I am the space, where I am,’ said french author noel arnaud.

all images courtesy of atelier RZLBD
chalk drawing of ‘wall house’ in santa monica

the house unfolds like a swiss army knife

contemporary phenomenon microhome is essentially a result of the land exploitation in cities as well as the ever-increasing real estate value. toronto-based atelier RZLBD however, argues that the same 6-sided envelope still prioritizes what is material, utilitarian and temporary over what is spiritual, poetic and timeless about a human life. when the box is disassembled and unfolded, one side of the wall remains, marking the beginning of a territory; not to limit enclosure, but to open up to the entire world. like a swiss army knife, the architected bracket contains millworks for various programs, which are operable and transformable into all kinds of functions; the house is as big as one dreams.
the house is not rooted to any one place, as it dreams that everywhere is one

to contain an empty space is illusory, as the notion of owning anything is deceptive. therefore, like a nomad’s backpack the wall house moves. it is not an elaborate interior space to comfortably live in, but an idea, a reminder, that the beginning of a house is simply existing when one does. it is in fact non-architectural, yet, it is perhaps the ideal type of architecture where the space is inseparable from the soul of its inhabitant.

it’s not about comfort, but an idea, a reminder, that the beginning of a house is simply just ‘existing’
wall house is where you want it to be; wall house is you

the very meaning of a dwelling is the spiritual ‘being’ versus the materialistic ‘owning’

‘the only true shelter on earth is the earth itself,’ said author robert pogue harrison

the utilitarian needs, which are measurable, inhabit the wall, while the spiritual needs expand into the world
the wall marks the beginning of a territory, but it does not limit an enclosure

to contain an empty space is illusory, as the notion of owning anything is deceptive

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the two floor plan variations show how the space adapts with an opening and closing toolbar

axonometric taxonomy of the different programs unfolding

section of the wall bracket where functions become operable and transformable

project info:

name: wall house
architects: atelier RZLBD

project team: reza aliabadi, james chungwon park, levi bruce

area: 25m²

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: eirini ilia | designboom