Kaja Bursa decided to solve the shortage of affordable housing for young people. Using a shipping container, the architecture student at Poznan University of Technology created a mobile, multifunctional space for living, working and even displaying art. Meet INANI.
INANI was constructed on the basis of an old container, and due to its form and shape it can be transported almost anywhere by land or water. The simple form and minimalism create a living space that can also be used as a workplace or art gallery. A distinctive feature of the design is the blackness of the facade - Kaja Bursa used recycled wood arranged in a herringbone pattern to cover it. Meanwhile, the accent of the white interior is a floor made of cork tree bark. An element, giving the final look to INANI, are window frames made of wood sourced from regulated FSC-certified forests. Importantly, the building is fully powered by electricity, obtained from photovoltaic panels mounted on the roof.
simple form and minimalism
© BURSA STUDIO
The author wants INANI and its functional and technical solutions to shed new light on sustainable temporary student housing, collective housing complexes for the elderly, mixed-use spaces and even housing in general.
Dobrawa Bies: What was the main inspiration for this project?
Kaja Bursa: The impetus for the project itself was the thought of the investors of iQube.pl, who were developing the concept of modular student houses in Poland due to the growing demand for housing for young people. The inspiration was to respond to the needs of the future - independence, proximity to nature, minimalism and upcycling of materials.
large windows and bright interior
© BURSA STUDIO
Dobrawa Bies: What were the main design ideas, what does the name INANI mean?
Kaja Bursa: The main design premise on which the building is based is to unify the interior with the surroundings. This was achieved through a wide opening, allowing direct contact with nature. The minimalist form of the building corresponds to the possibility of personalization of the interior by its tenants. The assumption is also to reduce unnecessary elements in the interior, which is small in size. The name INANI was created as a result of visual symmetry and the word hineni, which in Hebrew means readiness. This is the first building I had the pleasure of realizing.
Dobrawa Bies: Where did you get the idea for such a combination of colors, patterns and materials?
Kaja Bursa: The exterior block's finish is meant to reference the traditional herringbone pattern found in the gables of many old wooden cottages in Poland. To refresh its character, as well as add texture, the planks were overlaid to create a three-dimensional covering. The black of the facade contrasts with the white of the interior, which is intended to provide a backdrop to the tenants' lives and create space for the eventual display of artwork.
A white interior can be a backdrop for an art display
© BURSA STUDIO
DobrawaBies: What gave you the most satisfaction in creating this project, and what was the biggest challenge?
Kaja Bursa: The satisfaction, and at the same time the challenge, was definitely the process of creating not only the project itself, but its actual implementation. Despite the small size, the individual character of the building was a challenge in terms of obtaining raw materials, preparing them for reuse and final use. It is an undeniable pleasure to be able to create an object that can become a setting for another person's life.
Dobrawa Bies: Do you think this type of alternative to student housing could become popular in the future?
Kaja Bursa: I'm sure it will. Many countries have been using optimal modular facilities to create complexes for students or seniors for a long time. A recent high-profile example of this type of facility is the Urban Rigger building complex designed by Bjarke Ingels Group.
compiled by Dobrawa Bies
illustrations courtesy of Kaja Bursa
