The word models here means “thinking” models of houses as a way to start a design and a manner to get out of traditional ways of thinking.
Traditionally a house has to fulfill various criteria in order to be a house. Those criteria can be translated into various forms related to the functions they will have to fulfill.
Almost every house needs systems for ventilation, heating, smoke, and waste air. A chimney for example needs a certain height and diameter. In that respect it can be used as a load bearing element. A toilet is generally a box shaped space with a certain amount of privacy. This box-like element could be a load bearing and stabilizing element, as well. A floor is a kind of slab that is a decisive element for the shape of a house. All of these elements together can be used to define the structure of a house.
I started to work with models in 1984 and used my furniture pieces as a source of inspiration.