PolyR—Polymorphic Rooms
The idea of ‘polymorphic rooms’ resulted from the concept and design phase of the renovation and extension of the inner courtyard building Rudolf Fünf in Karlsruhe, Germany. Seeking to reduce our consumption resources and building materials flexible, modular building fit-outs are inevitable. Thanks to an optimized design, fit-out objects itself consume a minimum of amount of mostly bio-based resources and are be fully reusable or recyclable. In addition, the modular design allows fast adaptation of the built environment itself as well as use of the same object across different use-case scenarios.
Motivation and Goal
Climate change, increasing global population and the growing demand for urban living space call our society to rethink. For the sustainable development of neighborhoods, the increasing consumption of resources as well as space for living and working spaces must be countered with new ideas.
The most direct and effective way to conserve resources is to practice sufficiency, i.e. to learn how to live with what is really necessary. The current way of using surfaces and rooms wastes resources in two ways: Firstly, the room layout, use and fit-out are specified without clarifying in advance the actual requirements of the later users. Secondly, the fit-out and equipment is installed permanently and fixed, leaving users with very limited options for designing “their” space. The consequences are a waste of space and resources as well as a low level of identification with the equipment or the pre-defined room scenario. However, changes in use are inevitable and today typically require complex changes of the construction itself. This is directly linked with high resource consumption. In addition, building equipment often does not offer the possibility of being reused (reuse potential) and usually only has limited recyclability. The third problem is that when manufacturing fit-out equipment, their life cycle and useful life are currently usually not considered and that the manufacturing process is globalized. In addition to the described problems, production itself is accompanied by ever-increasing consumption of resources and long transport routes. Thus, it is challenging to influence the products (mono-use) nor the production standards.
Summarizing these three problems, one can say: What is missing is a holistic approach to sustainably develop the limited resource of living surface and space and to react flexibly to changes in their use. Fixed, purpose-built floor plans and technical installations no longer meet today’s requirements. They are often only designed for a dedicated use scenario and do not allow multiple uses. The concept of polymorphic rooms and their interior design presented here aims to create and use space more efficiently.
Construction & Space/Design Principles
Polymorphic rooms are flexible, changeable, adaptable and dismountable. With this idea we propose the opposite to fixed, purpose-built floor plans and technical installations. They no longer meet today’s requirements because they are only designed for a dedicated use scenario and do not allow multi use.
Our goal is to primarily address construction and interior design. We therefore developed several elements and modules in the following fields: Light, Electro, Furniture, Sanitary and Room & Partition Wall. The concept of polymorphic rooms and interior design is location-independent and universally applicable. It was developed by an interdisciplinary team of designers, architects, craftsmen, engineers and scientists considering the following design principles:
SUFFICIENCY THROUGH REDUCTION
results is a reduced, functional and minimalist interior fit-out
FLEXIBILITY + DENSIFICATION
flexibility of the fit-out is the basis for easy repurposing of spaces
(short or medium term). flexibility densifies the required space.
SYNERGIES + UTILIZATION
flexible fit-out and equipment ensures maximum utilization of the fit-out and equipment.
objects are only used where they are needed.
multipurpose objects make diverse use possible.
MODULAR + DISMOUNTABLE
fit-outs are created modularly and can be extended. individual parts can be dismounted and repurposed in other objects. They are compatible across objects.
CHOICE OF MATERIALS + PRODUCTION
Sustainable materials are used, local and sustainable.
simple manufacturing process ensures reproducibility and transferability.
Our Idea
Before going back into a recycling loop, resources should be reused and repurposed in fit-out equipment as much as possible. Local production of products and components ensure short distances and reduce carbon emissions A local sharing concept should also ensure that the convertible furnishings and components are utilized to the maximum.
All ideas and projects are made publicly accessible via this online platform. Anyone can build the objects themselves using the provided manuals or order them via our website. We see this platform as a place for exchange and invite everyone to participate, to further develop the elements and modules or to add new objects. Join us in shaping a sustainable future for our living- and working environment and promote the conscious use of resources!
DBU Funding
To finance the PolyR project, Future Action Collective successfully applied for funding at the German Federal Environmental Foundation (Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt – DBU). In summer 2021 the foundation granted 125,000 € to carry out the project.
The German Federal Environmental Foundation (DBU), based in Osnabrück, has funded more than 10,300 projects with more than 1.9 billion euros since it began its work in 1991. These are innovative, exemplary and at the same time solution-oriented projects, especially for medium-sized businesses, that make a contribution to climate-, environmental- and resource protection. In addition to the sustainable effects itself, it is also about achieving a broad multiplier effect of ideas and innovations – for society, science, business and politics. The broad spectrum of DBU funding topics takes into account both current scientific findings on the so-called planetary boundaries as well as the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) of the United Nations.
