A Haiku House | CHENIN STUDIO

 “A Haiku House” with less than $250 is a prototype in an interior renovation that focuses on maximizing cost efficiency, changing the role of the employer, by engaging with concepts such as "recycling", "reuse" and "readymade” in the design process.

 The needs of the employer as a young photographer and filmmaker was to make the required changes with the least possible costs. This approach itself became a turning point in the project about the position of the employer; changing it from the traditional concept of the employer being outside of the work process, to an engaging and live process that includes the employer in all aspects of the work. Not using highly skilled workers (which is usually the most expensive section of the project) and using the tools and abilities of the employer himself and his associates was the greatest challenge and characteristic of this project.

 The former extra details on the walls, occupied a lot of space and they were all demolished by the employer; they were replaced and repaired later using very simple and preliminary ways.

 The color of the walls which was applied by the employer himself was chosen in a way that will reflect the consistency of the public and private spaces. The spaces are designed in a way that represents the daily activities in each one while keeping the two worlds separate and distinguished.

 To reduce the cost of this project, the materials are all recycled and they are used either directly or with some adjustments. The team tried to minimize the costs of the project by using Wooden and Corian pallets were as cheap materials which were easily accessible and adjustable into bookstore, sofa and TV table. Cheap wooden boxes were also used to create a closet and lightbox; to elevate the bed we used a shovel's handle. Disposable wooden pallets were a good choice to cover the extra unusable door in the room and very simple tools were used for interior lighting.