Renaissance of Villa Kassandra

The inspiration for this project stems from the documentary Small Talk, which explores the challenges faced by the older LGBTQ+ generation in Taiwan, particularly the complexities of queer life within a patriarchal society. The film follows Huang Hui-chen's attempt to reconnect with her distant mother, touching on themes of silence and suppressed emotions. This resonates with the work of Audre Lorde, who emphasized the importance of breaking silence to build supportive networks. Through intimate dialogue, Lorde's writing highlights how expressing personal fears can foster collective healing and understanding.

Villa Kassandra, a women’s residential and educational center in rural Jura during the 1980s and 90s, serves as an architectural and social precedent. It provided a space for women to engage in collective growth, learning, and healing. Similarly, this project envisions transforming the Parkhaus Pfingstweid into a supportive space for up to 110 elderly non-male residents. By integrating living spaces with public workshops and courses, the building promotes intergenerational exchange, fostering a sense of community and connection.

The architectural design prioritizes shared spaces that encourage interaction. Private bedrooms are connected to communal areas through an extended living space known as the "room of introspection." This arrangement allows for personal reflection while still engaging with the broader community. A semi-transparent display case between private and communal spaces creates a permeable threshold, enabling residents to showcase personal belongings and foster interactions based on their moods and objects, reflecting Lorde’s ideas on expressing intimacy and personal narratives.

The south facade of the building extends this theme of permeability with winter gardens that connect both private living quarters and public course rooms. Sliding doors form a continuous enfilade, blurring the lines between inside and outside, private and communal. The bistro on the ground floor follows this logic, with large movable door panels that seamlessly integrate the interior with the surrounding public space.

Master Thesis Spring 2024

Project by: Norma Clematide

Teaching team: Anna Puigjaner, Dafni Retzepi, Pol Esteve Castelló, He Shen