Solitudism
Loneliness is feeling alone and not liking it; it’s a feeling.
Solitudism is being alone and content; it’s a choice. The designer designed spaces for people to master solitude. If you can master solitude. You will never feel lonely again. We need more space for solitude in the city. As designers, we usually feel obliged to design socially engaging spaces rather than improving the quality of the experience of being alone. Being alone has become a negative state that people want to avoid, but it should be a natural, justifiable and deliberate option and could be an alternative way to eliminate loneliness. Loneliness is a societal health issue can affect everyone and companionship shouldn’t be the only way to relieve it. We have been educated to participate in groups, people who prefer to be in solitude are seen as outsiders or loners who are subject to this bias that is implanted in society.
Agency
Royal College of Art
Practice Area
Client
Student Project
Industry
The designer designed three spaces for solitary dining, reading and practicing, as alternative ways to combat loneliness.
In ‘Grassland’ people are free to hide in freestanding flexible cork-rubber partitions. Roaming between them is no easy, the deeper you go, the more undisturbed you become. When you choose a stool, wrap the partition around it, you can enjoy disconnection and remain in solitude for a period.
‘Mountaintop’ is a reading place on your way home from work. It is located on the top of an unknown building near an underground station. The tunnel is only for one person to choose books and buy. The shallowly marked seats on the mountain to ensure distance and avoid eye contact.
The ‘Caves’ are where you practice musical instruments. You are free to switch between practice alone or performance with other people. The shapes are designed for different instrument reverberations.
Grassland — Inspired by grassland
Perspective View — People are free to hide in like in a grassland
Mountain top — Inspired by stadium
Perspective View — Solitary reading space
Bird’s-eye View — Enjoy the peaceful undisturbed solitary reading experience and sunset after a
long working day before going back home
Caves — Inspired by caves
Perspective View — The raw-cork-bark-panel blocks the sound to the neighbors. The pitched
ceilings are made from plywood which has a tendency to direct sound waves to the center yard
Project Details
Design Team
Bi Xia
Photo Credits
Bi Xia
Open Date
July 2020