The first recorded use of the term “Grand Tour” was by Richard Lassels, in 1670. By definition, “a traveler”, accompanied by “a knowledgeable guide”, traveled with the goal of achieving four areas in human development: intellectual, social, ethical and political awareness. Grand tourists returned from their journey with objects as evidence of their development, such as crates full of books and works of art, which would then be displayed to the public in the form of a gallery, library or museum built in that purpose. Although initiated as a form of cultivating bourgeois society, this process in education and re-presentation could fundamentally redefine our attitude towards citizens that find themselves without a home.

Walls, not barriers is a temporary home and that introduces an architectural series of dialogues that support the four steps of human development outlined originally as the Grand Tour. Thresholds between the very public space of the sidewalk and surrounding park and semi-public education, communication, and making spaces, and finally private dwelling spaces are mediated by manipulating the role of walls. From the outside, the complex looks like a collection of opaque masses, but in fact, they are internally carved into rooms that expand and contract, carrying all “Grand Tour” functions along their length. People stay for 12 months, gradually honing practical skills, like repairing shoes, at the side of their knowledgeable guide. Intellectual occurs as a classroom and workshop space; Social occurs as small communication rooms; Ethical appears as medical center; and Political appears as an observation deck. The series culminates in an exhibition space, before graduation, allowing conversations to happen between homeless people and general public, even a job fair. Thus, the building is not only a dwelling but also a space for learning, reflecting, observing, equipping people to emerge and re-engage society.

During the process of learning and reflecting, the building is also changing and adapting. In order to be in infinite operation, the parts of the building are broken down into small parts that are easily replaceable. The structural system is reciprocal. The walls in between are prefabricated timber panels. However, the floor is what will age more rapidly. Timber members combine to create a reciprocal structure that supports concrete floor tiles. The process of preservation and renovation happens often in the workshop and by people living there. The building design becomes part of the education process and instills the habits and empowerment of caring for domestic life. This built in habit extends the life of the building, creating a self-sustaining system, and its ability to serve others in the future. The process addresses the building more into a teaching tool, which means that extra skills to be taught during the stay in terms of maintaining the building, constructing furniture and even designing the space on their own. The waffle structure acts as the roof and façade, controlling natural light and shadow, while also starting to shape the space. For example, the communication rooms are shorter compared to the corridor next to them when it comes to the room height, as those communication rooms are more private, restricted to certain usages and people.

Walls, Not Barriers, slows down nomadic domesticity, movement is given purpose, marking time, development, and culminating in accomplishment that is visibly reintroduces to the city at large.