Goyen Architecture: March 2010

Wednesday, 24 March 2010

The C House and Cabin

The design of the Cabin was heavily based upon the design principles found in the C House with many different techniques found to improve the quality of the space and overall design of the Cabin.

Aspect of Site:

The aspect of the site was important in the C House and therefore made important in the Cabin, in both designs the room placement was strategically thought out and executed. Allowing for both natural light to be used and natural heat to be harnessed. The aspect of the site makes the design more environmentally friendly and offers a simple alternative to high carbon emissions for some homes.

Building Layout:

Both buildings base their living quarters around the main outdoor areas, with the C House having the main living area in the outdoor room whilst the Cabin allows for the outdoor room to be extended into the Cabin living areas with opening glass doors. The positioning of the outdoor rooms also offer great views and help the design harness all that is in their surroundings.

In both design the public and private spaces are sectioned off to create an experience that is both delightful and practical. In both design each level offers a different purpose for its living areas, and in both a high emphasis is based on public living areas and private living areas. The top floor in both designs is the principle key living area for the main occupants, and in both designs the private living areas on the upper floor have a successful divide between the public bellow.

Materials:

Throughout both designs materials are similar and often very simple. The use of naturalistic materials allows for both an environmental filter, but also a delightful experience to made in the design. The natural materials offer a green house positive outlook on building and allow for the building to age with it's surroundings adding character for the inhabitants.

Glass in both designs were key in allowing for the extension of the environment into the living areas, both designs harness this and add to the three virtues of design successfully.

Project 1 Part C :: Archetype Aplication :: Application of Archetype

Cabin Design Diagrams:

Cabin Critical Section

Cabin Elevation

Cabin Floor Plans

Cabin Site Plan

Cabin Site Contour Section

Cabin Location Contextual Map

Cabin Design 3 Virtue Analysis:

A house as an environmental filter:

- The use of natural materials allow for the cabin to grow and change over time allowing for the experience to alter for the two inhabitants whilst also having a low impact on the environment.

- The layout of the rooms of the cabin are carefully thought out to allow certain rooms protection from harsh summer rays whilst keeping this house a comfortable temperature throughout winter.

- The use of glass around the cabin allow for all views to be taken vantage of and help offer a focal point to the cabin. With the cabin being oriented around the outdoor area.

Cabin Ideation

Cabin Ideation

A house as a container of human activities:

- The house has been broken up into two main sections with the public space being on the bottom and the private being on the top with an extra level of private space being even further away from the public space by creating an airlock between the bedroom on the top floor and the studio, far away from external noise and close to the beautiful views offered by the cabins aspect.

- The Cabin is based around the outdoor area in which all views are focused and placed seemlessly alongside the pool, fire place and living areas.

- The Cabin offers a place to recluse in the studio allowing for work to be efficiently done.

A house as a delightful experience:

- The outdoor area is the focal point of the cabin with everything oriented around it. It offers brilliant views of the river and allows for the pool and fireplace to create a comfortable feeling of safety.

- The Cabin being sectioned is key toward its delightful experience. Keeping the public areas public and the private spaces very private.

- The materials used add to the delightful experience with key features being highlighter by the simplicity of the main materials, concrete and wood.

- Concrete allows for the cabin to heat during winter and hold this heat for a substantial period of time, allowing for low environmental impact, and a clear conscience.

Project 1 Part B :: Analysis :: Analysis of Archetype

C House Drawings:

3D View

Critical Section

Block Plan

Site Plan

Upper Floor Plan

Middle Floor Plan

Lower Floor Plan

C House Three Virtue Analysis:

A house as a container of human activities:

- The outdoor room is an important part of the C house as it offers a communal center. The C house is built around this heart and often individual rooms are enhanced by their relation to the outdoor room.

- The separation of living spaces is an important feature of the C house. With the house being divided into 4 areas each offering different functions and roles. This separation of the house can help divide the C house into 2 areas, public and private. The private including bedrooms and bathrooms are kept separate from the rest of the house in order to change the dynamic in which the inhabitants live. Whilst the public areas enhance the open living areas made available throughout the house.

- The divided living style allows for many different lifestyles setups, including: families, share houses and couples.

A house as an environmental filter:

- Donovan Hill uses the natural breeze as an effective method of controlling temperature throughout the C house in order to offer a comfortable living space for all inhabitants and visitors. It can be said that the most effective way in which the architects have achieved this is by using aspect and open space in order to create cross ventilation.

- The materials used throughout the house are natural and readily available. The use of natural materials allows for a presence of the outdoors to be allowed in whilst acting as a barrier from the surroundings.

- An important feature to note about Donovan Hills C house is the placement of rooms based on aspect. Allowing for rooms to be naturally heated and cooled and allowing for the good aspects of the environment to be allowed in and the harsh summer conditions to be kept out. The houses room placement also allowed for outdoor rooms to be comfortable all year round by offer shelter from direct sunlight whilst

A house as a delightful experience:

- The vantage point the outdoor room offers, both with views and location in the house.

- The materials used throughout the house are of the highest quality and are from many parts of the world. They offer an experience that changes over time.

- The house's division into subsection allows for a delightful experience

o Entry plaza and terrace

o Guest suite, home office and pool

o Main living area (including children’s bedrooms)

o Parent Suite/Retreat

The separate areas offer different experiences to different inhabitants but over time allow for an overall experience of beauty and enjoyment.