CABIN DESIGN_ANALYSIS

Architectural cabin;

“Firmness” in Design & “Environmental Filter”

This element of the cabin design is largely based on the St. Lucia House elements – however somewhat advanced and improved. Therefore again the sustainable aspects such as passive cooling and heating, less reliance on mechanical means to create comfortable temperatures, use of vegetation (green roofs, green walls, large dense gardens, shading trees with dense canopies) and water to cool and heat the house as well as recycle. Vegetation is a powerful tool not only in heating and cooling, but also for privacy and aesthetics. Appropriate shading from trees, taking into consideration, canopies, density, type and function of the species, is another strength they obtain. Therefore limiting and controlling sun exposure on eastern and western facades in summer and increasing filtered sun light in winter also contributes to a sustainable design. In the cabin design this is achieved with the tree choices 2 large non-deciduous trees on the western side and one on the eastern side. These filter enough sun in the winter time when the other trees lose their leaves and allow more natural light in and shade in summer time. Another aspect which was directly mirrored to the cabin design was the design to fit the existing site and landscape and engage with it accordingly – creating in-side/out-side spaces all over the cabin – even utilizing spaces such as rooftops and leftover floor space as a means of connection to the landscape. The location of these openings and open spaces allows for constant cross ventilation and can be controlled to the used preferred intensity. Like St. Lucia House, the cabin is orientated to the North, allowing soft sunlight in the unshaded front façade. The materiality is wooden panels and filtered glass which are simple and respect the landscape which it intrudes. These materials are soft; contain a low heat mass, highly reflective, sustainable as well as aesthetic. The large scale windows allow natural light, natural heating, prevailing winds (opening louvers on every level) as well as allow for views into the expanding landscape.

“Commodity” in Design & “Container of Human Activity”

The cabin is also a simple semi-open plan with 3 levels – the ground floor contains the kitchen, dining room and two walls which open up – one a bay folding door another a large sliding door- to open up to a courtyard and pergola area which stretches out into the trees. The first floor is a large glass room it contains the living room, reflecting space and working space – although this is a completely open area it can be divided with curtains to create privacy and multi use spaces. The second floor is a master bedroom and the bathroom which is very much enclosed due to privacy requirements – however still maintain natural light and ventilation. The overall plan is systematic and specific to its function and form – each aspect of the cabin is being planned yet as multi functional as possible.

“Delight” in Design & “Delightful Experience”

- As this cabin is design to fit the existing site and landscape, it melts in with the landscape and uses the tree for support as to almost dissolve into it. This unique design not only creates a delightful experience on the surface but upon entering the volume and intensity of views from extensive windows becomes enticing. Serial vision almost reaches all 360° and the intertwined branches with the building questions the idea of what is natural and what is not? This consumed cabin has in-side/out-side space surrounding the house- various roof decks, pergolas and balconies surround the cabin.

PART 1c_CABIN DESIGN-APPLICATION

Design Attributes:

- Vegetation - heating, cooling, privacy, aesthetics
- Materials - soft, low heat mass, reflective, sustainable, aesthetic
- Windows- allow natural light, natural heating, wind - opening louvers on every level
- In-side/out-side spaces - decks, balconys, coutyard, pergola as well as roof decks and garden.

- Simple open plan ( 3 levels)
- Systematic design and orientation

PART 1d_PROCESS&ANALYSIS

ST.LUCIA HOUSE_ANALYSIS

St Lucia House;

“Firmness” in Design & “Environmental Filter”

In terms of “Firmness” within design, St Lucia House is justified homw with multiple theories and concepts upholding and enhancing its physical form. In terms of an environmental filter, St Lucia House envelops all aspects of innovative design and planning. This family home engages with the surrounding landscape in multiple ways; firstly the general consideration of Nature. A key element of how the user engages with Nature within this house is the clever “in-side/out-side” spaces created by various decks, windows and large screening doors. With that, the careful choice of materials and textures is simple and blends with the landscape and thus appears to completely unscathe the surroundings. These materials are economical and aesthetic, which allow for delightful, sustainability within the design, as well as natural heating and cooling. Another aspect of the house which acts as an environmental filter is the consideration of Macro and Micro Climates – both location and orientation of a given site .This could be the most vital deliberation within the initial design process as the requirement of unique sub-tropical design increases.The distinctive aspect of this design is the respect for existing landmarks – the 3 trees in the yard. The architect respected the static natural structures and molded the design around them, instead of simple removing them due to their obstruction.


“Commodity” in Design & “Container of Human Activity”

In terms of ‘commodity’ and a ‘container for human activity’ This house almost optimizes the notion of ‘function and form’. With no space being unused or left over this house is an ideal example as to how to use every aspect of space. Once again the simple materials and simple aesthetics – no over decorative aspects – enhance the space as an entity. This simplicity is also present throughout the plan and spatial sequencing of functional areas. Another element which ties in with that is the private/public spaces, which are both easily accessible, however cleverly hidden when required. A perfect example of this is seen on the second floor of the house where an entire wall opens to reveal the natural environment outside – alone with the windows – again this plays with the concepts of in-side/out-side space and enhances privacy vs. public areas and the interplay of both.


“Delight” in Design & “Delightful Experience”

In terms of delight many features of this house enhance experiences and revere elements of design. The design developed from Modernist principles of the 60’s and 70’s. Firstly and most prominently, the engagement with nature and the landscape, vegetation intertwined with the built environment. An obvious aspect of this is seen with the branches which wrap around the facades of the house, revealing and concealing areas of the house. This is particularly enhanced at night, when the tree becomes the silhouette and the house a lit up lantern. The simplicity of construction, materials and lack of decorative features allows the robust and dramatic elements to play against each other.That along with the sheer volume at moments and the unifying façade make this house both delightful inside and out.

PART 1b_MY EXEMPLAR DRAWINGS

MICROCLIMATIC DESIGN

The following are aspects which are present in St Lucia House design, and are those which I intend to base my cabin design around:

- Innovative Planning
- Passive Climate Control
- Engagement with Landscape
- Economical use of simple materials
- No 'over-decorated' spaces
- Developments of design based on modernist principles
- Considers the element of Nature
- Considers the element of Micro and Macro Climate
- Considers the element of location and orientation
- Spatial sequencing
- Enhanced experiences within "in-side-out-side" spaces
- Works around imposing Natural structures
- Simple plan
- Easily accessed, yet private
- Branches of trees wrapping the facade of the house
- Rhobust and Dramatic


Looking further into Microclimatic Design, the following are aspects which awill be incorporated into my cabin design;

- Passive Cooling and Heating
- Less reliance on mechanical means to create comfortable atmospheres
- Use of vegetation (green roofs, walls, gardens) and water to cool and heat the house
- Shading
- Colour selection
- Building Orientation
- Location of openings/ open spaces
- Design to fit the existing site and landscape
- Chanelling natural ventilation/prevailing winds
- Limit sun exposure on eastern and western facades in summer
- materials with light thermal mass

- Heating naturally with the sun - disiguous trees, windows, openings

"Sustainable development achieves potentially greater levels of energy efficiency through the principles of design for climate and through utilising or influencing local microclimate conditions. It is possible to create a development environment which maintains conditions within human comfort zones without reliance on additional energy for heating and cooling."

SUCCESSFUL CASE STUDY - VIRET, CLAYFIELD, BRISBANE
Source: http://yourdevelopment.org/factsheet/view/id/37

SUN DIAGRAMS ECT:

http://www.toolsforsustainability.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=76&Itemid=152

PART 1c_SITE SELECTION FOR CABIN

SITE SPECIFICS:

- Sub-tropical Climate
- Cabin is orientated North
- Static Natural Structures throughout site (Trees and Vegetation)
* 2 large Poinciana Trees along the edge of the cabin site
* 6 Flame Trees surrounding the cabin
* Remaining trees and plants on site are native
- Surrounding neighbours (Tubac House, Balaam Residence and St Lucia House)
- Topography - mild slope (south side)
- Summer Sun is blocked by vegetation
- Winter sun is let in due to the disiduous Flame Trees - however not too much