project K:Home

Intimacy V Disruption: constructing fire

Method

We propose to concurrently explore the idea of intimacy and disruption through the introduction of fire to the site. This intervention will study what effect the introduction of an atypical activity has on users and local inhabitants and how and why fire creates an intimate space.

Fire is a medium which can connect intimacy and disruption depending on its scale and intensity. On the scale of the camp fire it can evoke a primeval sense of protection, by emitting heat and in darkness it defines a visible perimeter, a space of intimacy. However out of control and on the scale of a forest fire or building it can be dangerous and disruptive. For our intervention/experiment, the forest fire is a good example. Whilst being ultimately disruptive and destructive, some ecosystems have evolved with fire as a natural and necessary contributor to habitat vitality and renewal.

We will design and construct and examine various fires based on different scales and typologies.

Initimacy through 3 scales

• Match/Candle/Single Flame
• Hearth/Fireplace
• Bonfire/Forest Fire

Each scale can be either intimate or disruptive, and the purpose of the project is to define specific instances in which each condition is manifested at each scale.

Disruption

• Introduction of new types of activity to the site.
• What are the effects of these new activities, how do they transform the local inhabitants and users