MINI Living - Breathe
In April 2017, an installation called Breathe was unveiled in the MINI Living space at Milan’s Design Week. Built by the New York firm SO-IL, the prototype house is described as ‘resource-conscious’, offering a sustainable solution to shared, compact city living.
Positioned in a narrow courtyard site, the designers had to build the house as stacked up living spaces, creating a slim, three-storey modular structure, with a white mesh PVC exterior that is designed to filter and neutralise polluted city air. The roof contains a garden filled with plants to further improve air quality and the urban microclimate.
The structure can accommodate three people and includes up to six room possibilities. The four levels of the house are connected via a spiral staircase, while light-permeable textile walls separate the different spaces.
The house is capable of being dismantled and re-assembled in other locations, and the exterior skin can be replaced with one that performs appropriately to different climates.
SO-IL co-director Ilias Papageorgiou said: "MINI Living – Breathe brings its residents into direct contact with their environment. By making living an active experience, the installation encourages visitors to confront our tendency to take resources for granted.”
Oke Hauser, creative lead of MINI LIVING, said: "We view the installation as an active ecosystem, which makes a positive contribution to the lives and experiences of the people who live there and to the urban microclimate, depicted here by the intelligent use of resources essential to life – i.e. air, water and light.”
Content and images courtesy of SO-IL.
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
The UK's Modern Industrial Strategy: A 10 year plan
Previous consultation criticism, current key elements and general support with some persisting reservations.
Building Safety Regulator reforms
New roles, new staff and a new fast track service pave the way for a single construction regulator.
Architectural Technologist CPDs and Communications
CIAT CPD… and how you can do it!
Cooling centres and cool spaces
Managing extreme heat in cities by directing the public to places for heat stress relief and water sources.
Winter gardens: A brief history and warm variations
Extending the season with glass in different forms and terms.
Restoring Great Yarmouth's Winter Gardens
Transforming one of the least sustainable constructions imaginable.
Construction Skills Mission Board launch sector drive
Newly formed government and industry collaboration set strategy for recruiting an additional 100,000 construction workers a year.
New Architects Code comes into effect in September 2025
ARB Architects Code of Conduct and Practice available with ongoing consultation regarding guidance.
Welsh Skills Body (Medr) launches ambitious plan
The new skills body brings together funding and regulation of tertiary education and research for the devolved nation.
Paul Gandy FCIOB announced as next CIOB President
Former Tilbury Douglas CEO takes helm.
UK Infrastructure: A 10 Year Strategy. In brief with reactions
With the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA).
Ebenezer Howard: inventor of the garden city. Book review.
The Grenfell Tower fire, eight years on
A time to pause and reflect as Dubai tower block fire reported just before anniversary.
Airtightness Topic Guide BSRIA TG 27/2025
Explaining the basics of airtightness, what it is, why it's important, when it's required and how it's carried out.
Construction contract awards hit lowest point of 2025
Plummeting for second consecutive month, intensifying concerns for housing and infrastructure goals.
Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment 2025
Examining the state of mental health in construction, shedding light on levels of stress, anxiety and depression.