namatavalo
c. 2021
The namatavalo house is the final result of an independent project completed for an Architecture studio class.
Namatavalo is a complete and utter neologism. The core of this term borrows from the Russian word наматывать (namativat'), meaning to wind up or wind around. Near the end, it has a built-in suffix "l" which, in this instance, relates to a verb in the past tense: they wound up. Lastly, the added letter "o" has no linguistic founding, and is added to give the word the sense that it's describing a place.
The circular qualtities on namatavalo were not the simple result of artistic preference. The underlying goal was to create a home which would be an ideal setting for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Before delving deeper into this design, it is important to note that ASD manifests in countless unique ways. The concept of namatavalo does not intend to generalise or overlook any of these individual needs. Rather, it is an exploration of how spaces which are frequently preferred by individuals with ASD could be compiled to follow the typical architectural conventions of a residential home.
| Behaviour/Response | Architectural Direction |
|---|---|
| frequent pacing, often in laps or circles | circular/organic design to enable continuous, circular movement |
| heightened sensitivity to noise | thick walls to limit noise from outside and noise between rooms |
| heightened sensitivity to light | stained glass windows to limit overly bright light and create interesting visual effects |
| frequent movement and shifting | modular furniture to allow shifting and movement while remaining in one place |
| need for smaller safety spaces | small bedrooms and built-in nooks to provide small comfort spaces at any time |
| need for larger, airier spaces | large shared rooms with high ceilings to provide more visual and physical space |
| proximity to nature and tranquility | inclusion of a garden space which serves as a constant space for tranquility and small-scale exploration |
| soft angles | elimination of sharpness from furniture, walls, doors, and other living elements to decrease injury risk and provide continuity |
| comforting textures | focus on materials with a comfortable variety sensory textures |
Initial concept models for namatavalo house focused on figuring out how organic movement and shapes could be superimposed onto residential home conventions - both in terms of room composition and interior design.
The design for namatavalo house also included a conceptual design for a table and chairs. This set of furniture was created with texture and modularity in mind, showing how frequent movement and shifting could be accommodated within "typical" furnishings.
The focus of this set is on the flexible chairs, which can change position to be closer to, farther from, or even facing away from the table, positioned as actual chairs with backs, stools, or chaise-longues. This physical range would permit namatavalo residents to feel more at ease during prolonged stationary periods, such as during meals.



