Sutanu Karmakar

Autonomy through Complexity

This thesis investigates how a modular approach in housing design can become more acceptable and meaningful to a broader population—especially in the context of ongoing housing crisis in Canada, which is in dire need of rapid, affordable housing. A central concern is exploring how user autonomy can emerge from spatial, functional, and systematic complexity. Rather than prescriptive, rigid systems, the goal is to create housing frameworks that are enabling—where users can personalize, adapt, and take ownership of their space, fostering deeper emotional connections.

This thesis questions the rigidity of over-engineered modular systems and explores the potential of importing subtle, soft qualities from natural and non-modular systems—qualities that blend with the context, respond to human emotion, and transform repetition into meaning. With high density, diverse user groups, and varying age ranges in mind, it also investigates how to create a sense of community and belonging while preserving efficiency, optimization, and scalability.

Historically, modularity in housing has responded to crisis and recession—from Le Corbusier’s “Machine for Living” to the Metabolist movement in Japan. These systems focused on optimization and mass production. While flexibility was often a goal, it remained theoretical. These systems functioned only when humans adapted to them, and their lack of human-centric qualities was a recurring issue.

In contrast, organic growth patterns—often seen in unplanned developments—reveal another kind of system. Though often unsound in terms of planning, these environments are embraced by communities. Places like the Favelas of Rio or Kowloon Walled City may seem chaotic, but host deeply rooted, blurry systems. Despite limited formal planning, they offer inhabitants autonomy, security, and community. A similar language can be seen in Habitat 67—a modular housing project in Montreal.

Architecturally, ‘order’ and ‘chaos’ are two ends of a continuum, with autonomy occupying the fertile middle ground. In this thesis, user autonomy refers to the empowerment of residents to shape, adapt, and personalize their environment—to reflect individual identities, needs, and preferences. It proposes a shift in standardization from rigid, top-down systems to more open-ended, bottom-up flexibility. Complexity, in this context, is not disorder or complication—but a rich, open-ended framework that enables self-governance. Modularity must move beyond rigidity to become a blurry, adaptive system that responds to people.

The thesis studies the “Bottle Rack Structure” originally proposed by Le Corbusier—a system where prefabricated units are slid into a permanent structural skeleton, like bottles in a rack. It integrates two systems: a fixed ‘Primary Structure’ or ‘Host’ and separate, prefabricated modular ‘Domains’ (for bedrooms, kitchens, etc.) as the ‘Secondary Structure.’ While the host is structural but incomplete, the domains are self-supporting and interchangeable. This aligns with ‘Open System’ modularity, where parts can be assembled, dismantled, and sourced from different suppliers without compatibility issues. Precast concrete is used for its universal compatibility and connection to modular housing history. This system follows a hierarchical modularity, where smaller modules combine into progressively larger ones—similar to Matryoshka dolls.

But the question remains: how can visible, rigid systems become blurry—where users take the lead? One strategy in the design phase is creating slack spaces within modular elements. These are technically invadable, undefined zones that soften control and allow for user interpretation over time. They can become indoor gardens, reading nooks, personal libraries, laundry rooms, walk-in closets, or even extra bedrooms depending on need. These spaces promote creativity and long-term engagement and include double-height volumes with potential for future adaptation. This also introduces experimental insertions of modular and non-modular elements—like partitions or ceilings—within the host structure. If these insertions are seen as ‘positive volumes,’ slack spaces are the ‘negative’ volumes they generate.

The design includes 120 residential units with deliberately kept voids as potential future expansions (33% of current, ~40 more units). There are 32 three-bedroom, 44 two-bedroom, and 44 one-bed/studio units, supporting a mix of families, students, and individuals. Amenities include 102 car and 42 bike parking spots, daycare, gym, community spaces, and small commercial areas (cafés, shops, studios, etc.).