Architects apparently design with people in mind. But the architect of these particular villas, which were obviously once identical, seemed more interested in self-imposed rules of composition, or symmetry to be precise, than on understanding what people want. Though all the residents clearly have their own individual preferences, what unites them is their disregard for the key architectural features of the building. If not abandoned entirely, every structure has been altered to meet the needs and reflect the taste of its occupants — windows enlarged, doors inserted, walls redone, roofs resurfaced, matching fencing added. The repetition of the pictures, all taken from the same viewpoint, emphasises the idiosyncratic alterations and variations. What exactly did the original house look like? And why did the residents feel compelled to make changes? Was the original so inadequate? Or were the residents unable to suppress their urge to stand out from their neighbours? Whatever the case, the occupants have done battle with the architect, and the result is a sort of ‘architecture without architects’.
