The question here was to join two flats, kept apart by an expansion joint only. Which are the challenges and possibilities? -  asks Murcutt, when he states people are the axis of architecture - The design is a game of chess, and from the rationalism and aesthetics of building construction poetry may arise. (…) Architecture is not dependent on inspiration (…) A good sketch is more a question of understanding facts – follow the problem until an appropriate solution is found – and there are always a lot of appropriate solutions.”

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The challenge is to reposition the pieces of the game around the unconquerable enemy; a bad move can ruin the game.  In this case the parts are the courettes facilities and infrastructure, the untouchable exterior openings, the structural elements (columns and beams at random, no none wants those inside) and a treacherous board of dilation. Elements were involved up until being absorbed, walls suspended. However, other walls move (opening and closing), the house transforms itself acquiring new limits. The solution was a hotel lobby. My proposal was that the house should ensure a large social space for reception and socializing – that is where people live – the remaining spaces are its faithful servants. Despite the spatial hierarchy, the quality of treatment is maintained or increases according to their specific function. My room, my home. Once the game is organized, its complexity is hidden as to appear simple so we can focus on the essentials – people, and why not, their objects of worship, art – the rest are details. And this is precisely the kind of detail that requires intervention. Detail by subtraction – in my opinion the best kind. The set of plans (some of them restless) under the light, that’s beauty to me that is what makes me happy, nothing else is necessary.

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Glenn Murcutt explains, “Mies (…) said that God is in the detail. My view is that the well designed and integrated details can significantly increase the quality of a project. Good design on taps, switches, door handles, drawers and others are in itself small applications but they can add great elegance to any building”… and I add:  they cannot, however replace the  architecture!

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… And he goes on justifying that all these facilities and applications are costly – “I don’t use detail as decoration. (…) Are buildings so boring for us to have to guide them to it? (…)