This project aims to establish an understanding that architectural design is informed through the availability and analysis of exemplary knowledge.
Furthermore the identification of these discreet concepts in architecture;
-a house is an environmental filter;
-a house is a container of human activities; and
-a house is a delightful experience
all reveal themselves to be aspects essential to the understanding of
architectural excellence that is argued to constants in the discourse of the discipline. Project 1 will include the assessment items of observation and analysis exercises, contributing and leading to an integrated design of a Cabin for an Architect.
PART A
For this part of the project I was asked to choose 3 exemplar buildings; one International, two Australian.
The buildings I chose are as follows:
International exemplar building: Byrnes residence
Australian exemplar buildings:
During the week 2 tutorial we were asked to discuss the three major themes of Project 1. I have quickly drawn up some concept maps from the lists we put together as a group in our tutorial for easy analysis:
CONCEPT MAPS
Bark studio
I chose to research the Bark studio because; I was attracted to it as soon as I laid eyes on its functional beauty. I can sense that it would be a delightful experience to work in the Bark studio, even though it is very confined in space, it looks like it would function perfectly to architects requirements, yet it still conveys “lightness, transparency and texture” (Contemporist, 2009).
Source: http://www.decodir.com/2010/02/the-studio-of-bark-design-architects/ (accessed March 10, 2010)
It is obvious that the surrounding landscape played a big part in its final design. Overlooking the hinterland, the Bark studios notion of ‘floating’ above the natural ground line is not only for visual effect but also a necessity in order to maintain the two glorious mature Brown Bloodwood eucalypt trees and the roots that stand on either side of the studio (Contemporist, 2009).
Source: http://www.decodir.com/2010/02/the-studio-of-bark-design-architects/ (accessed March 10, 2010)
The Bark studio relates to the environment as well as using it to the studios advantage by:
(Contemporist, 2009).
Source: http://www.decodir.com/2010/02/the-studio-of-bark-design-architects/ (accessed March 10, 2010)
The
Heating and cooling of the house is provided naturally with use of lightweight configurations allowing for ease in temperature control. Also one of the main features of the house, the retractable wall, provides great ventilation.
Source: http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:3544 (Accessed March 11, 2010)
REFERENCES:
Information:
Contemporist. (2009). The Studio Of Bark Design Architects. Accessed March 11, 2010, from http://www.contemporist.com/2009/10/24/the-studio-of-bark-design-architects/
Elizabeth Watson Brown Architects. (N.D).
Bark Studio Images:
http://www.decodir.com/2010/02/the-studio-of-bark-design-architects/ (Accessed March 10, 2010)
St Lucia Images:
http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:3544 (Accessed March 10, 2010)
Based on our research findings, brainstorming and discussions, I am required to select one of my Architects/Exemplar Houses for further research, analysis and representation.
Once I have made my Exemplar Selection, I am required to further research, analyse and represent my chosen Architect and House focussing on the following three interrelated and critical House Design concepts;
I am also required to reproduce my exemplar house design in the following formats:
1. every floor plan within the house
2. 1 x key plan/ site plan showing the house roof
3. 1 x exterior elevation
4. 1 x critical section
5. 1 x three-dimensional volumetric exterior representation
Or
1 x three-dimensional interior volumetric representation
Source: http://www.azarchitecture.com/property_detail.cfm?auto_id=417 (accessed March 10, 2010)
Based on my research, brainstorming and discussions over the past week of my three exemplar buildings, I have chosen to base my Project one of Architect Will Bruders most talked about residential works, the Byrnes residence. Renowned worldwide for its unique use of site characteristics and material use, this 3 bedroom masterpiece is a textbook example of Architectural concepts. Emphasis will be made on the Byrnes residence house design as an environmental filter, a container of human activities and a delightful experience.
HOUSE AS AN ENVIRONMENTAL FILTER:
The Byrnes residence is situated in the
Source: http://www.umemagazine.com/scrollSpreads.aspx (accessed March 10, 2010)
Source: http://www.willbruder.com/ (accessed March 10, 2010)
The physical form related to the desert setting is also evident in its ‘Canyon Wall’ structure, in which the main off axis walls made of raw concrete masonry blocks flow from outside protruding through the centre of the house out the opposite end.
Source: http://www.willbruder.com/ (accessed March 10, 2010)
In order for the house to be comfortably inhabited, Will Bruder added a few features allowing the house to breath a little easier and restrain some of those harsh environmental conditions. Visible in the picture above and also mentioned in the ‘desert living magazine video’ (above) it is obvious that not only does the 8 inch gap between wall and ceiling allow for a flood of natural light to enter, but also a means of allowing hot air to rise and exit the house. Another means of controlling the hot desert climate is the addition of large eves and overhangs that run around the outside of the building managing direct sun light.
HOUSE IS A CONTAINER OF HUMAN ACTIVITIES
The Byrnes residence is much like a container of human activities, however in this case the container is open. What I mean by this is the variety of human activities available in this design, continue past the walls and out into the open courtyards and decks.
The design is very distinct in its private and public zoning, as can be seen below:
It is also very obvious that there is a main circulation corridor in which every space can be accessed from, it is this type of arrangement that I will be trying to reproduce in my cabin design. The relationships between these spaces are very important in designing a house, take note of the grouped of spaces that require direct accessed to one another (below) whilst still remaining in their public and private areas. This is yet another topic Bruder has got spot on in relation to human activities.
I also recorded average times spent in each space to analyze against Bruders spatial decisions and this is what I got:
As you can see the areas that we inhabit the most for both needs and desires, Bruder has designed to be the largest not only in floor space but also in cubic volume. This is pointed out in the ‘Desert Living Magazine video’ where the public spaces have a much larger ceiling height and more open plan then the confined private spaces.
Source: (left)http://www.azarchitecture.com/property_photos.cfm?auto_id=417 (right) http://www.willbruder.com/ (accessed March 10, 2010)
HOUSE IS A DELIGHTFUL EXPERIENCE
When it comes to a house being a delightful experience, I believe it is a combination of things that are molded together into one delightful package. In this case, the package is as delightful as it can get. Being inside this home amongst the ‘Canyon walls’ we already know feels like you are experiencing the wonders of being in the desert environment, but it is the way in which Bruder has brought the outside feeling in, through raw materials and the flow of these materials from the outdoor areas straight on into the interior.
Main elements that stream from outside in:
-Ceiling materials
-Main wall materials
-Concrete flooring
-Use of Timber
This combined with the natural light that floods in from wall and ceiling gaps (see ‘Desert Living Magazine video’) and skylights as well as the 180 degree views of the landscape following the slope of the land, Bruder has created a perfect combination of comfort and delightful.
All the drawings that follow have been reproduced from Will Bruders original plans by hand. This was a long night of converting imperial to metric, re-scaling and mimicking Bruders drawing/writing styles and techniques. I hope you enjoy!
Original pictures source: http://www.willbruder.com/ (accessed March 10, 2010)
During this part of the project I am asked to design a Cabin [including an Architectural Studio] for William Bruder.
The Cabin is to be located in an imaginary ideal architectural location on
The Cabin itself is to incorporate all the necessary studio and workplaces for Will Bruder, as well as living accommodation. I need to include the following spaces within my proposed Cabin design:
The size and arrangement of the spaces is to reflect the lessons that I have learnt through studying Will Bruder and his House Design in weeks 1+2. The only limit that I have is that the Cabin may not be more than 75m² in total for internal enclosed space. Covered External Space, however, can be provided in addition to this. The proposed Cabin design must reflect the requirements of this brief, the unique utopian architectural location and the local environmental influences.
As a minimum, I must represent the following drawings in my proposed Cabin design response for Project 1 Part C:
Or
1 x three-dimensional interior volumetric representation