The example ground floor plan that goes along with the minimal demands for housing in the Netherlands counts 38m2. The first level floor plan counts 36m2.

If one translates this to the modular grid of 3×6 meters, an extra small house of 4 units comes into being.

The upper level can be used for the surround panorama room, which is demanded in the PNP program. The stairs to the upper level arrive exactly in the middle of this 6×6 meters square room. If needed, daylight can be accessible by roof windows here. Also, a direct connection between this exhibition room and the exhibition space on ground floor is provided by a continuous void. At the ground floor, sanitary room, stair case and the exhibition space are separated from the entrance by sliding doors.

On the outside, the façade is reshaped in relation to the former ‘extra large’ version of the pavilion, which was also developed during the research project. As the top volume is completely closed (windows at roof), it is possible to make a surround panorama. Two opposite sides are of the dimension 16:9 (widescreen), the other two sides are of the dimension 4:3 (regular tv-screen). The cladding material is of highly reflecting brushed aluminium, so various beamer projections at night can provide the building several minimal media façades. The lower volume is covered with darker cladding material (also highly reflective). This dark material is also used on the inside of the surround panorama space.

By placing a few inside walls, the pavilion transforms into a minimal house that satisfies the demands of today’s Dutch Housing Law.

The result of both pavilions/houses was so inspiring, that three more variations of this kind were developed. Together, all five buildings form a sequence of XS, S, M, L and XL. The designs were specified to the degree of the smallest detail and could go into building production right away.

The ‘Baltan House’ is a project by Maurer United Architects [MUA] under the umbrella of BALTAN’s Poème Numérique research programme. In cooperation with Telcosystems and Geert Mul, a new approach towards the development of ‘media architecture’ is being tested.