In the conference “Freedom of use”, architect Anne Lacaton discusses their design approach, in which they consider essential the generosity of space - extra space/ double space, bio climatic design, economy, and the importance / value of the existing. They also consider important to avoid creating constraints of use, hence resulting in freedom of use; and to promote dialogue and participation, and when starting the design, they go from the inside to the outside. Furthermore, she discusses some of her projects and what their goals were. For example, she mentions Latapie House in Floraic, France where they challenge the standard prefabricated houses and the importance of establishing priorities in the space accommodations.
Lacaton discusses the generosity of space, of uses, of natural light, of view, comfort, freedom, and life as some of the most important features in their projects. According to her, “buildings are beautiful when people feel well in them”, along with good interior lighting, pleasant air quality and a gentle relationship between the interior and exterior spaces. The selection of materials will result in enhanced natural lighting and better use of natural air ventilation through a building’s spaces. Their core principles consist of generosity of space and economy, aiming to change the standards. Furthermore, they also aim to generate freedom of use, flexibility and to recognize the importance of the people that will occupy the projects; inhabit.
The concept of inhabiting is essential to their design process, where they place the people and their uses as the center of the architectural project. She also comments on other of her housing projects in which she incorporates winter gardens and much vegetation, to create an exchange between the exterior and interior. Furthermore, she continues to emphasize the importance of economy in some of her social housing projects. Lacaton argues that it is better to transform rather than demolish a building. She explains that to transform a building means to add, to extend. Also, transformation allows possibilities, and in most cases, it is a wiser decision in terms of economy. Interestingly, in some of the renovation projects, the inhabitants stayed living in the housing building during the construction process, in a designated place.
This truly reveals the importance of the people that will inhabit the space, and how it is important that they always feel well in the building. Exterior façade renovation is as important as interior space renovations. At the end of the day, both renovations result in the wellbeing of its inhabitants. Also, when a building is transformed it allows for an opportunity to rethink the materiality. For example, a predominantly solid building can become more transparent by adding more glass and windows; resulting in enhanced use of natural lighting which would be even better for the environment. Furthermore, the concepts of the new and the existing work as contradicting forces that can work together as one creating a project that works when juxtaposed with the other.
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