Exploring Nonprescriptive Space with HANGHAR’s Speculative Studiolo Installation

In an era where urban residential interiors are becoming increasingly constrained, the Madrid-based speculative architecture practice, HANGHAR, is challenging the status quo with its innovative project, Studiolo.

This room-within-a-room installation, devoid of any predetermined purpose, aims to subvert the market-driven impacts on residential architecture and decommodify domestic spaces.

Founded by Eduardo Mediero, HANGHAR is set to exist only for a decade, closing in 2030.

During this time, it is committed to developing speculative works that offer alternative spatial configurations for less prescriptive functions.

Drawing inspiration from Renaissance artist Antonello da Messina, HANGHAR’s Studiolo reexamines the importance of the “room” as an architectural entity, proposing a flexible and open-ended space within Mediero’s own central Madrid apartment.

The Concept of Studiolo

HANGHAR’s Studiolo is a bold statement against the commodification of domestic spaces. By introducing a deep-green, cabinet-like room within an existing apartment, the practice explores the potential of creating inefficient environments that can open up a vast array of possibilities for use.

This concept is rooted in the idea that domestic spaces have been overly commodified in the last century, severely affecting how we dwell and design our homes.

Challenging Market-Driven Design

Mediero and his team at HANGHAR are committed to developing speculative work that subverts market-driven impacts on residential architecture.

They believe that by suggesting different spatial configurations, they can accommodate less prescriptive functions and create spaces that do not convey a specific use or program.

This approach is a deliberate attempt to decommodify residential architecture and offer a fresh perspective on how we can inhabit our homes.

Inspiration from Renaissance Art

The Studiolo project draws inspiration from Renaissance artist Antonello da Messina, specifically his painting Saint Jerome in his Study (1475).

This historical reference is not just a nod to the past but a way to reexamine the importance of the “room” as an architectural entity.

The deep-green, cabinet-like room within Mediero’s apartment serves as his own “little studio,” a direct translation of the Italian word from which the project takes its name.

Reexamining the Importance of the Room

In creating the form of the Studiolo project, HANGHAR reexamined the importance of the “room” as an architectural entity. The team was interested in how inefficient environments could open up a vast array of possibilities for use.

By not assigning a specific use to the space and avoiding making it as efficient as possible, they aimed to create a spatial structure that offers flexibility and open-ended activation.

Commitment to Speculative Architecture

HANGHAR’s commitment to speculative architecture is evident in its approach to the Studiolo project.

The practice is set to exist only for a decade, closing in 2030, and during this time, it is dedicated to developing works that challenge conventional residential architecture.

By focusing on speculative projects, HANGHAR aims to offer alternative spatial configurations that accommodate less prescriptive functions.

Decommodifying Residential Architecture

The practice’s goal is to decommodify residential architecture by suggesting different spatial configurations that do not convey a specific use or program.

This approach is a deliberate attempt to subvert market-driven impacts on how we dwell and design our homes.

By creating spaces that allow for open, unconstrained activation, HANGHAR is offering a fresh perspective on domestic architecture.

Conclusion

HANGHAR’s Studiolo is a groundbreaking project that challenges the conventions of urban residential interiors.

By creating a room-within-a-room installation with no predetermined purpose, the practice aims to subvert market-driven impacts on residential architecture and decommodify domestic spaces.

Drawing inspiration from Renaissance art, HANGHAR reexamines the importance of the “room” as an architectural entity, proposing flexible and open-ended spaces.

With a commitment to speculative architecture, HANGHAR is set to offer alternative spatial configurations that accommodate less prescriptive functions, providing a fresh perspective on how we inhabit our homes.

For more information, you can read the full article on The Architect’s Newspaper.