Self scaling as a project methodology in OMA

Abstract

In 1998 Rem Koolhaas was asked by a private Dutch investor to build a house that gave response to three obsessions of the client: a pathologic hate for mess, a peculiar family lifestyle (he wanted to have a place where they could meet but also other places where they could live separately) and an irrational anxiety towards the so called "Year 2000 problem" (Y2K). In response to those specific demands Rem Koolhaas designed a house that turned around a central "tunnel-like" shape with many other elements surrounding it contained into a thick layer (to hide the mess). The main uses such as living room or the departments appeared to be excavated from that mess. The result was a polyhedral transparent shape with a box inside. Unfortunately, this project was never built. Among some other reasons, was the fact that the "Year 2000 problem" was not such a real problem after all. Luckily Rem Koolhaas found a way to give a second life to that project in the shape of the very well know "Casa da Musica" in Porto (Portugal).