PART B ANALYSIS: RELATIONSHIP OF SPACES

The interaction between spaces is a major factor in the design of St Lucia House, with sliding, bi-fold doors and open glass walls allowing the spaces to interact, and they contribute to the open-plan design. The image below shows the lines of sight within the house and shows that from each room on the first floor (except ensuite and WIR), the front garden and Poinciana Tree can be seen. The middle diagram shows the relationships between the spaces on the first floor and the bottom analysis image shows the elements of the house that allow certain spaces to interact with each other, and also be closed for privacy.

First Floor - Lines of Sight

First Floor - Relationship of Space

First Floor - Interaction between Space

PART B ANALYSIS: PUBLIC VS PRIVATE SPACE

Due to the open-plan design of St Lucia House, there are various spaces that can be revealed and interact with the larger spaces, or can be closed off for privacy. The master bedroom is elevated above the main living space, and its balcony actually penetrates the main living area. Although this is a private space, it can also be opened up to allow communication with the more public areas. The ground floor is predominantly a "private" zone, consisting of the two bedrooms and a bathroom, which do not have the same connection with the front garden as the living space and main rooms of the first floor do.
 

 

Ground Floor

First Floor

PART B ANALYSIS: APPROACHING THE SPACE

Below are two images showing how inhabitants approach and move through the house. The main public living area is on the first floor, and because of this, the main path through the house is from the outside pool area and up into the main living area via a flight of stairs. The ground floor, which contains two bedrooms and a bathroom is also accessible from the main walkway in the outside pool area.

The main pedestrian access into the site is via the gate on the left northern boundary. Pedestrians then follow this main walkway past the pool area and towards the main door located on the left of the front facade. The main path choreographs a U-Shaped movement throughout the house, with visitors passing the Poinciana tree from the site entry, walking via the bridge (main walkway) to the front door, progressing up the first flight of stairs into the main living area, then through the kitchen to the main open deck area, down the flight of stairs which will bring them into the open front garden. This path is shown in the First Floor image below. The way in which inhabitants and visitors of St Lucia House move through the spaces is an important factor in the houses design, and is one of the major factors that influenced the plan of the house.

 Ground Floor

First Floor

PROJECT 1: PART B DRAWINGS

Upon further research of the St Lucia House, I was able to produce the following drawings in response to Parts A and B. The first Site Plan showing the location of the house is a scan from a book, while the other images are drawings replicating the architects style. The house consists of five interlocking levels, and two floor plans are displayed, of the ground floor and first floor, which show all parts of the house to the best extent.

Site Plan

Wallace, M and Stutchbury, S. 2008. Placemakers: Contemporary Queensland Architects. Brisbane: Queensland Art Gallery

Ground Floor Plan

Cubes. 2009. Cubes. Space, Furniture, People, Life; This is Design made Accessable. Back to Basics 1 (37): 92-96. http://www.architecture.com.au/i-cms_file?page=12336/Cubes_May_2009001.pdf (accessed 07/03/10)

First Floor Plan

Cubes. 2009. Cubes. Space, Furniture, People, Life; This is Design made Accessable. Back to Basics 1 (37): 92-96. http://www.architecture.com.au/i-cms_file?page=12336/Cubes_May_2009001.pdf (accessed 07/03/10)

Front Elevation

University of Queensland. 2010. St Lucia House RAIA Dods Award for Housing. http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:3544 (accessed 06/03/10) 

Section

University of Queensland. 2010. St Lucia House RAIA Dods Award for Housing. http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:3544 (accessed 06/03/10)   

3D Interior Representation

University of Queensland. 2010. St Lucia House RAIA Dods Award for Housing. http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:3544 (accessed 06/03/10) 

ARCHETYPE RESEARCH

After researching my three chosen Exemplars, I decided that my first preference for Project 1 Part B would be Elizabeth Watson Browns 'St Lucia House'. Not only does this house house create harmony between the natural environment and the built environment, but its sustainable design and efficient use of space have resulted in an compelling design that I would like to research in further depth.

In our second tutorial, I was appointed the St Lucia House for Project B.
Now the drawing begins.

PART A RESEARCH: EXEMPLAR 3 - CHICKEN POINT CABIN

Olson Kundig Architects: Chicken Point Cabin, 2003

Olson Kundig Architects
Olson Kundig Architects was first established by Jim Olson, with Rick Sunberg joining the firm as a joint owner in 1975, Tom Kundig joining as an owner in 1996, and Alan Maskin and Kirsten Murray joining the firm in 2008. [1] Since the beginning the firm has been based around some simple but effective concepts; that buildings can serve as a bridge between nature, culture and people, and that inspiring surroundings have a positive effect on people lives. [1] The firm now has over 80 employees and has won various awards for their stand-out architecture. These awards include, but are not limited to, the 2009 Ntional AIA Architecture Firm Award, National and regional design awards from the American Institute of Architects, American Architecture Awards from Chicago Athenaeum, Jim Olson's 2007 Seattle Medal of Honor and Tom Kundig's National Design Award from the Academy of Arts and Letters. [1] Today the firm is renown for their efficient and high-quality designs and have a high standing international reputation.

House as an Environmental Filter

Chicken Point Cabin has various design elements that contribute to its sustainable design and its relationship with the environment. The location of the cabin and the way by which it takes advantage of the surrounding landscape is one of the main contributions to its environmental filter. Due to the lack of immediate neighbours, the views from the cabin are maximised, and the placement of the windows allow for maximum penetration of light and breeze. The use of materials is also a vital factor, with unfinished, low maintenance materials such as concrete block, steel, concrete floors and plywood have been used. [2] To enhance the experience of this cabin, the materials have been chosen with the intention that they would naturally age to acquire a patina that fits in with the natural setting. [3]

 

Front Facade

http://www.olsonkundigarchitects.com

House as a Delightful Experience

The original concept behind Chicken Point Cabin was to produce a design that replicated a lakeside shelter in the woods. [3] One of the main elements that creates a delightful experience in the cabin is the existence of a large window-wall that has the ability to open to the surrounding landscape. This can be seen in the image below. This glass wall is a large 30ft x 20ft and can be activated using the mechanism on the wall. [1] The materials used in the cabin also create a delightful experience and create a relationship between the interior and the landscape. [2] 

Interior View

http://www.olsonkundigarchitects.com

 House as a Container for Human Activities

The design of Chicken Point Cabin directly takes into consideration how people occupy and use the space, and how this space connects to the surrounding landscape. The owners of the cabin requested, prior to the design process, for a weekend retreat that opens up to the natural environment. Tom Kundig, the architect behind the cabins design, took this request literally and metaphorically. The result was a design concept that portrayed a tough, concrete-and-steel tent in the woods that contained a wall with the ability to lift away from the facade. [4]

References

[1] Olsen Kundig Architects. 2010. Olsen Kundig Architects, Firm History. http://www.olsonkundigarchitects.com/About/FirmHistory (accessed 06/03/10) 

[2] worldhousedesign.com. 2009. Chicken Point Cabin, Connecting Living Space with Forest and Lake. http://worldhousedesign.com/contemporary-house-design/chicken-point-cabin-connecting-living-space-with-forest-and-lake/ (accessed 07/03/10) 

[3]Vectro Ave. 2010. Chicken Point Cabin Olson Kundig Architects. http://vectroave.com/2010/02/architecture-chicken-point-cabin-by-olson-kundig-architects/ (accessed 04/03/10)
[4]  Hanley-Wood, Inc. 2010. Custom / 3,500 square feet or less grand: Chicken Point Cabin, Northern Idaho: Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen architects: Seattle. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0NTE/is_4_9/ai_n14709447/ (accessed 03/03/10)

 

PART A RESEARCH: EXEMPLAR 2 - C HOUSE

Donovan Hill Architects: C House, 1998

C House, Brisbane

Completed: 1998

Site Area: 1500 square metres

Gross Floor Area: 400 square metres

Donovan Hill Architects

Donovan Hill Architecture firm is a Brisbane based business and was established in 1992 by Brian Donovan and Timothy Hill. [1] The firm has successfully developed into a renown business, producing high-quality designs and a commitment to cost effective construction. [2] C House gave Donovan Hill's architecture an international reputation for originality and conceptual complexity, and was included in Deyan Sudjic's 1999 Exhibition 'Home: The Twentieth-Century House'. [1] The firm received commission for C House in 1992, and due to the complexity of the brief, the design was developed over the duration of the project, with the first phase consisting of shaping the site and laying the foundations. [1]

 

Front Facade

http://www.donovanhill.com.au/mainmenu.htm

House as an Environmental Filter

The natural landscape was a vital factor in regards to the design of C House, with Donovan Hill stating, "The design for C House has been guided by a metaphor. The intention was to build an idealised landscape for occupation." [1] The design and brief for the house possesses a degree of complexity and and sophistication, which allowed the architects to expand notions of domestic and social space, particularly in response to possibilities of Queenslands benign subtropical climate. [1] The House utilises open areas and materials, as can be seen in the photo of the courtyard below, to allow for maximum air flow and ventilation. The action of light and the reactivity to the landscape and the climate, makes C House an environmentally efficient design that is sensitive to the surrounding landscape. [3]

 

North View Across the Courtyard

http://www.donovanhill.com.au/mainmenu.htm

House as a Delightful Experience
The C House is a large house that spans a site of 1500 square metres, taking advantage of the steep slope it is situated on. The concept of the house was embellishing the monumental structure of raw concrete with layers of intricate elements of fine wood, metals, glass, ceramic tiles and water. [4] The house itself cannot be seen from the street, instead the imposing size and aesthetic complexity is encountered by visitors as they approach the house via the two parallel staircases. [4] The materials of the house alone create an elaborate experience, being constructed primarily out of fine grain concrete, fine timbers, metal, glass and ceramic tiles. [1] The plan layout, containing open and grand rooms, courtyards and various different spaces, as can be seen in the floorplan below, allow the house to extend down the Brisbane rock bed, with climbing, ever-changing levels.  The slope of the site enables each room in the house to look towards and have a view of the courtyard, with timber louvres on the back walls for cross ventilation. [4]

First Floor Plan

Drawn from: Wallace, M and Stutchbury, S. 2008. Placemakers: Contemporary Queensland Architects. Brisbane: Queensland Art Gallery

Section
Drawn from: Wallace, M and Stutchbury, S. 2008. Placemakers: Contemporary Queensland Architects. Brisbane: Queensland Art Gallery

House as a Container for Human Activities

Two significant factors in the developemnt of C house were  influenced by the client, who expressed his passion to Donovan Hill for 20th century architecture and informed them of his close connections to a construction company. His main preference was for a flexible design that would accomodate changing occupancies. [1] Donovan Hill approached the design with this design element in mind, and the result was a split, three story residence that combined and related spaces via the use of sixteen flights of stairs. These stairways conducted the occupants through an up and down journey around three stories of chambers, corridors, courtyards, nooks, pools, gardens, pergolas and balconies. [4] There are two ways that pedestrians can approach the house; via the direct path to the entrace which takes the west steps, or via the front lawn and the east steps. [4]

 Neighbourhood Site Plan
Drawn from: Wallace, M and Stutchbury, S. 2008. Placemakers: Contemporary Queensland Architects. Brisbane: Queensland Art Gallery

For original written notes, click on the link below:
Flickr Photos - Research Notes

References:

[1]  Wallace, M and Stutchbury, S. 2008. Placemakers: Contemporary Queensland Architects. Brisbane: Queensland Art Gallery

[2]  Donovan Hill. 2006. Donovan Hill Profile. http://www.slq.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/55599/Donovan_Hill_Profile.pdf (accessed 07/03/10)

[3]  Donovan Hill. 2010. Donovan Hill, C House. http://www.donovanhill.com.au/mainmenu.htm (accessed 06/03/10)
[4]  Johnson, C. 2000. Australian Architecture Now. London: Thames & Hudson Ltd

 

PART A RESEARCH: EXEMPLAR 1 - ST LUCIA HOUSE

Elizabeth Watson-Brown Architects: St Lucia House, 1998

"The history of Queensland architecture is a history of true material minimalism, and this house pays homage to that... Materials and structure operate efficiently, within minimal waste. Applied decoration is eschewed... nature itself provides the delight in the play of light, the rustling of the breeze through the trees, the scent of the flowers." - Elizabeth Waston Brown Architects [1] (Page 175)

St Lucia House, Brisbane

Completed: 1999

Site Area: 400 square metres

Gross Floor Area: 195 square metres

Elizabeth Watson Brown Architects
Elizabeth Watson Brown Architects was established in 1990, beginning as a small, collaborative studio that focused mainly on residential projects. The firm is dedicated to producing high-quality designs that explore appropriate elements of design for subtropical climates, with their designs being noted for blurring the boundaries between the natural landscape and interior spaces. St Lucia house was completed in 1998, and is one of the architects most cherished works, being designed as their own family home, and also being acknowledged by the Royal Australian Institute of Architecture (RAIA). The house won state awards and demonstrates, by minimal means, a pragmatic approach to the requirements needed for comfortable habitation. [1] To achieve this, a variance of scale according to function was employed.

 Front Facade, Day

http://www.elizabethwatsonbrownarchitects.com.au/

House as an Environmental Filter

The design and function of St Lucia house was developed in accordance with the natural surroundings and subtropical climatic functions; with the house demonstrating a zero-emission design. [6] As can be seen in the above image of the front facade of the house and the below floorplan, the design of St Lucia house was centred around the presence of three large trees; a Poinciana tree in the centre of the site, and two mango trees that line the northern boundary. By incorporating these natural restrictions, the house has been constructed with a simple orthogonal plan. [4] These three sculpturally spectacular trees are used by the architect as a climatic foil, with the canopy of greenery shading both the main living area and outdoor areas in the summer, and allowing for maximum direct sunlight into the main living area in winter. The huge, retractable wall that is positioned behind this Poinciana Tree allows for maximum cross ventilation through the shallow, one-room-thick floor plan. [6] This cross ventilation is further enhanced by the presence of minimal interal walls in the house, resulting in an open-plan design that maximises air flow. [5] The relationship between the interior spaces, the landscape and the incorporation of natural light, results in a sensuous engagement with the subtropical climate. All these factors have resulted in a design that contains no artificial cooling or heating, but instead takes advantage of the surrounding climate, producing a sustainable residential design.

 Front Facade, Night

http://www.elizabethwatsonbrownarchitects.com.au/

House as a Delightful Experience

The central idea generating St Lucia House is effectively a giant double-height glazed veranda, which embraces the existing twisting Poinciana Tree in the centre of the site. [2] The Architects are renown for their incorporation of the landscape and the interior space, and this can be seen in the design, with the large double-height northern glass wall framing the central tree, and portraying the it as a public art object. [5] This is further enhanced by night, with the illuminating, glass box creating a dramatic silhouette of the tree against the facade. [1] The plan of the house has been designed in such a way, that from nearly all rooms of the house, a relationship and line of sight has been created with the front garden and the existing trees.

First Floor Plan

Drawn from: Wallace, M and Stutchbury, S. 2008. Placemakers: Contemporary Queensland Architects. Brisbane: Queensland Art Gallery

House as a Container for Human Activities

St Lucia house has effectively been zoned into five interlocking levels, with the spaces created by the split levels providing various opportunities for interaction or retreat. [1] This is achieved by the incorporation of large sliding walls, open plan areas and large glass windows that allow for communication between the smaller, more private areas, and the open main areas such as the living room space. These sliding wall panels and open plan not only provide interaction between spaces, but also vent natural light into all areas of the house, as well as providing views to all areas. [2] The main space of St Lucia House is the living space, which is framed by the double-height glass wall and is located on the first level of the house; suspended at canopy level. The ground level is designated space for the architects two teenage sons, containing two bedrooms, a bathroom and a smaller lobby/lounge area. The master bedroom is elevated about the main living space, containing a balcony that both penetrates the living space and extends past the glass wall, creating an interaction into the outside space. [1] These aspects and relationships between space can be seen in the above floorplan, which shows the main, open plan of the first floor.

Neighbourhood Site Plan

Drawn from: Wallace, M and Stutchbury, S. 2008. Placemakers: Contemporary Queensland Architects. Brisbane: Queensland Art Gallery

Research

House as an Environmental Filter:

• EWB Architects are dedicated to the exploration and delivery of high-quality, appropriate design for the subtropics. [1]
• St Lucia House is a demonstration of a zero-emission design. [1]
• No artificial cooling or heating is present in the house. The earth-coupled rooms stablise the temperature, and the light-weight structure allows for rapid evening cooling. [1]
• Maximum cross ventilation has been achieved by the incorporation of a huge, retractable wall, the shallow one-room-thick floor plan and by having minimal internal walls. [1]
• The architects have used the presence of three large, fully grown tree, and sculpturally spectacular trees to act as a climatic foil. [1]
• A large Poinciana Tree is located at the centre of the site, with two mango trees being located on the Northerm street boundary of the site. [1]
• By maintaining these trees, they create  canopy of greenery above the outdoor space which also shades the main living area. [1]
• The incorporation of the landscape and natural light, which flourishes inside of the house, allows for sensuous engagement with the subtropical climate. [1]

  House as a Container for Human Activities:

• The house is effectively zoned into 5 interlocking levels, with the central space consisting of a double-height living room, which has a suspended walkway that leads to an open, yet private office. [3]
• The house is designed for both sociability and privacy, with the interlocking levels providing various opportunities for interaction or retreat. [1]
• The master bedroom is elevated above the main living space, and the balustrade of its outdoor deck penetrates the main space. [2]
• The ground floor consists of two bedroom and a bathroom. The house was designed in this way to ensure the architect's teenage sons had their own space within the home. [1]
• Not only do the large sliding wall panels allow for communication between the smaller private areas, such as the master bedroom, with the living spaces, the split levels also bring natural light and views into all areas of the house. [1]
• Suspended at the canopy level is the main living space, which is the core of the house. The north-facing wall of this zone is constructed from huge glazes windows, which can be opened to admit filtered light and breezes. [1]

House as a Delightful Experience:

• The architecture produced by EWB Architects is noted for its ability to blur the boundaries between the landscape and the interior domestic space. [1]
• The house appears to be a large, open box that embraces the twisting Poinciana Tree, treating it as a public art object. [3]
• St Lucia House has been constructed on the southern boundary of the site, allowing for the retention of huge trees for protection, shade, privacy and beauty. [1]
• The sculptural forms of the Poinciana is the central feature of the home, and consume the view from the double-height windows of the main living space. By night, this creates a dramatic silhouette against the illuminated facade. [1]

For original written notes, click on the link below:
Flickr Photos - Research Notes

References:
[1] Wallace, M and Stutchbury, S. 2008. Placemakers: Contemporary Queensland Architects. Brisbane: Queensland Art Gallery
[2] Pieris, A (et al). 2003. Houses for the 21st Century. Sydney: Pesaro Publishing
[3] Patrick Bingham-Hall. 2001. Brisbane, A Short History of Architecture. Inclusing Ipswich and the Sunshine Coast. Sydney: Pesaro Publishing
[4]  Cubes. 2009. Cubes. Space, Furniture, People, Life; This is Design made Accessable. Back to Basics 1 (37): 92-96. http://www.architecture.com.au/i-cms_file?page=12336/Cubes_May_2009001.pdf (accessed 07/03/10)
[5] Skinner, P.R. Reflections on Inside-Outside Space, in Newton. Design + Research; Project based research in architecture. 2nd International Conference of the Australian Association of Schools of Architecture. Melbourne 28-30. September 2003. (http://www.arbld.unimelb.edu.au/events/conference/aasa/papers)
[6]  Skinner, P. 2004. Claims to the significance of the St. Lucia house as design research and contribution to knowledge. http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/eserv/UQ:163464/Claim_SLHouse.pdf (accessed 07/03/10)

 

WEB 2.0

After researching various Web 2.0 Technologies, the main social media I decided on using to display my project is blogspot.com. This decision was made after researching into other technologies such as Facebook, Myspace, Flickr and Twitter. Blogspot not only allows me to customize my blog page, but also does not restrict the amount of text per post, like Facebook and Twitter do. I also found that Blogspot allowed more freedom in regards to layout, colour, text and much more, than the competing internet sites. This can been seen in the two images below; A Daily Dose of Architecture (Blogspot) and The Gallery of Modern Art (Facebook).

 

A Daily Dose of Architecture

http://archidose.blogspot.com/

 

 

Gallery of Modern Art

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Brisbane-Australia/Queensland-Art-GalleryGallery-of-Modern-Art/42483226715

To take advantage of multiple technologies, Flickr was also chosen to accompany my blog, as it was found to be an efficient site for large photographs. This website is useful because larger, more detailed images, can be linked from Flickr to Blogspot.

 

Flickr

http://www.flickr.com/

TEST

Test