Design 1 - Form
The first design for Ari, the client, explored the form of the grounds keeper's cottage. As the cottage footprint is quite large for one person, the design encloses half of the building, leaving the rest as a courtyard. From the courtyard, a transition across the nearby lake into the tower can be made. The tower is modern, cold and solid in contradiction to the cottage. No natural light enters the powerful cubic form, which appears to hover over the water's surface, as this is where all of Rilke's Records shall be stored.
Design 2 - Parasites & Contradictions
After the first digital model, I decided that the best way to approach the cottage would be to make new additions, or forms of their own entity, rather than conduct a restoration of sorts. More research of Rilke's work and contemplation of the Keeper resulted in two main ideas - parasites and contradictions. Rilke's work is strongly dominated by the use use metaphors and contradictions. Through using lightweight, clean, straight lined forms, a new design developed, where the cottage and its history are respected, whilst the cubes indicate a new beginning. The idea of parasites came from my observations and judgements of Ari. Although he's always been a recluse man, it is obvious that the content of the Records is affecting him, leeching the sociable person from him. In this way, the Records are acting in the same way as a parasite, draining and harming the host. This was translated through positioning the cubic forms as if they were growing out of or on the cottage.
Design 3 - Modelling
Revisiting the enclosed design in the modelling confirmed that this concept was not the appropriate design for the client. Further exploration of the parasite concept was done, investigating different forms. I chose an icosahedron as the form to work with; highest faced regular polyhedra. This shape became the tower, where the Records are stored/locked away, in order for Ari to start distancing himself from them, regaining some sense of sociability.
Design 4 - Functionality . . . ?
The final design incorporates the successful aspects and ideas of each design. Using the cottage metaphorically for the poetry, minimalist fresh forms will enable Ari to start a fresh life; gradually remove himself from the poetry. This concept uses glass as the missing boundary walls of each space, causing the client to glimpse reflections of himself in a health, unaffected mood. In order for this to work, the tower containing the Records, is devoid of any reflective surface, preventing him from dwelling on the persona he adopts when engrossed in the poems. 
The final design definitely requires refinement and a clearer idea of room layout. The forms coexist with the pre existing structure, respecting it's history and moulding it's future. The inner courtyard may be a space that requires the passing of time to find it's purpose in Ari's recovery/life.
