• A house is an environmental filter
• A house is a container of human activities
• A house is a delightful experience
The three exemplar houses selected for research include:
Suitcase House :: Gary Chang :: EDGE Design
The suitcase house was designed and built as part of the experimental development ‘The Commune By the Great wall in Beijing’ along with 11 other developments. The dwelling is located at the head of the Nangou Valley. Although the building is only 350 square meters, the space within the structure is used quite creatively. “A metamorphic volume, it slides effortlessly from an open space to a sequence of rooms, depending on the inhabitants specific requirements” (G. Chang, 2002).
:: A house is an environmental filter ::
The outer skin of Suitcase House is constructed of full height double-glazed folding doors to create a sense of openness and allow no walls to obstruct the views of the Great Wall. In order to take advantage of the continental temperate climate solar exposure, the house has been constructed with a north south aspect.
:: A house is a container of human activities ::
“It is a simple demonstration of the desire for ultimate adaptability” (G. Chang, 2002). With the use of fifty hinged floor panels, Chang has created a house with endless permutations of living. A lounge, dinning room, study, kitchen, four bedrooms and bathrooms, storage space and other chambers for specific use are concealed beneath the main living area. The houses function changes throughout the day, based on what facilities are needed. By effortlessly re-arranging the floor panels, the house transforms itself from an open space to a sequence of chambers according to the nature of the activities, number of inhabitants, and personal preferences. While the house is very open and exposed, a series of sliding walls, curtains and floor panels (that double as room dividers) help to provide the user with privacy.
:: A house is a delightful experience ::
With the innovative design, light and open spaces and perfectly framed views, how could one not consider the Suitcase House a delightful experience. The house caters for the individual rather than the group. Being able to control spatial quality gives the user a sense of power and control.
Isaacson-Davis Beach House :: John Wardle Architects
Also known as the Balnarring Bungalow, this house was designed for clients Tony Isaacson and Megan Davis as a weekend/beach house. The house is intended as a retreat, a place to relax.
:: A house is an environmental filter ::
Leaving the landscape practically undisturbed, the house ‘floats’ above the site. Interior spaces are spanned with a structural efficiency that allows for maximum interplay between inside and out. Located near the coast this house utilises natural ventilation with large sliding windows/doors, which opens the house to nature.
:: A house is a container of human activities ::
In planning terms, the house is both long, where living areas are situated at one end, services in the middle and bedrooms at the far end, and binuclear, where sleeping and living areas are more forcefully separated. The planning reflects clients’ pattern of living, the bedroom provides the first glimpses of the sun rising while the living area heralds the evening by addressing the setting sun.
:: A house is a delightful experience ::
As described by John Wardle, the house can be “unpacked on arrival and repacked on departure, as though the house itself reflects the joy of happily unpacking the tote bag, thrown in the back of the car for a weekend away”. The site is nestled amongst coastal Ti trees and is tucked behind the fore-dune creating a tranquil environment.
Samford House :: Bligh Graham Architects
The clients were a semi-retired couple determined to make this the last home they live in. With budget no obstacle to design freedom or material selection, funds for this project were generously allocated to high quality craftsmanship durable construction, and a timeless palette of finishes, rather than overwhelming size or ‘wilful structural gymnastics’.
:: A house is an environmental filter ::
In the true spirit of environmentally sustainable development and intergenerational equity, the clients insisted that their home have an extremely passive, indeed negative, impact on the environment. The environmental strategies include:
• Optimum ventilation through the house with motorised high level louvers monitored by BMS.
• External insulation fixed to the core filled blockwork which has the hardest plaster finish internally for excellent thermal mass performance
• Extensive use of low power light
• 10kw solar power station with both battery storage and grid interaction which will result in the house given more power than it uses
• Recycled ironbark cladding
• Sophisticated mechanical plant with heat harvesting for pool heating and other performance enhancing features. (Bligh Graham Architects. n/d)
:: A house is a container of human activities ::
The planning strategy was to distribute the house over three levels, a basement with two upper levels. The form of the upper levels is an L-shape which creates a north-east facing external courtyard with a small pool and outdoor entertainment. The design reflects the clients interests, from the ample space reserved for an extensive artwork collection, large toy room-meets workshop and equally large craft room; to the small pool, large caravan/boat store, outdoor kitchen with teppanyaki bar, and three bedrooms for family (when they visit).
:: A house is a delightful experience ::
The design is a beautiful display of architectural elegance and fine detailing. The Samford house possesses zen-like qualities of a Japanese ryokan with a wraparound pebble courtyard and external timber batten screens, while inside the glamour days of 1950 modernism is shown through the use of timber panelling. The recycled ironbark cladding and overlay of living ficus adds to the sense of an overgrown oriental palace.
REFERENCES
- Chang, G. (2002) Suitcase House Hotel. Retrieved March 3, 2010, from http://www.archphoto.it/IMAGES/garychang/chang.htm
- Arcspace (2001) EDGE The Suitcase House. Retrieved March 3, 2010, from http://www.arcspace.com/architects/Edge/SuitCase/
- Timber (n/d) Isaacson/Davis beach House. Retrieved March 3, 2010, from http://www.timberbuilding.arch.utas.edu.au/projects/aus/459/
- John Wardle Architects (2006) Balnarring Beach House. Retrieved March 3, 2010, from http://www.johnwardle.com/projects/default.htm?ProjectId=16&ProjectCategoryId=3&ProjectKindId=0&pageNo=1&Featured=0&Archived=0&AllProjects=0
IMAGE REFERENCES
- The Suitcase House
Flickr. (n/d). commune by the great wall 04. Retrieved 12 March, 2010, from http://www.flickr.com/photos/12581780@N04/2360573331
- Isaacson-Davis Beach House
John Wardle Architects. (2006). Balnarring Beach House. Retrieved March 12, 2010, from http://www.johnwardle.com/projects/default.htm?i_PageNo=5&ProjectId=16&pageNo=1&ProjectCategoryId=3&ProjectKindId=0&Featured=0&Archived=0&AllProjects=0
- Samford House
The Australian Institute of Architects. (2009). Samford House. Retrieved March 3, 2010, from http://architecture.com.au/awards_search?option=showaward&entryno=2008047173
No comments:
Post a Comment