Introduction

For the first part of this assignment we were required to critically analyse three exemplar buildings. We were to investigate the way in which the house is:

• an enviromental filter
• a container of human activites
• a delightful experience

After analysing these three aspects we were to select a home of our choice to analyse in more detail.

The Three Aspects

Taking a look at the three aspects in further detail can give a better understanding on what our research is focused on.

House as an Enviromental Filter
This talks about the way in which a home protects you from the enviroment, in other words filtering in selected parts of the outside world which are desirable. It also looks at how a home harmonises with nature, and by this how it makes the best of nature. Does it have good lighting during the day? Is it positioned so that it gains pleasant natural ventilation? This can also relate to how sustainable a home is, how it gains from and gives back to nature.

House as a Container of Human Activites
This aspect investigates the way in which zones are created and maintained. Also how these different zones have been adapted to fit the purpose of the activity which occurs in this zone. It also investigates how the elements such as lighting and wind are controlled within each zone, and how logical these decisions are. Circulatin and a logical layout also fall within this category.

House as a Delightful Experience
This aspect is often looked at by people to such a degree that the other two aspects are disregarded. This aspect however is equally important to each of the other aspects. It refers to the aesthetics of a house. This also involves how the visual components of a house influence the viewers mood. As well as how well the buildings materials and style is suited to the buildings purpose. Another more obvious component within this aspect is that of how beautiful an house appears to be.

The Three Exemplars

The three exemplars which I chose to investigate were the Chicken Point Cabin, the Balaam Residence, and C House.

Chicken Point Cabin

Chicken Point Cabin was designed by Tom Kundig of Osaka Architects. One of the main attractions of this secluded cabin is the window wall which when opened gives an uninterrupted view of the lake and forest from the living room. The materials which were utilised were all chosen for the same reasons. To be low maintenance, and to fit in with the architects notion of cabin. This meant that concrete, steel, and plywood were some of the materials used to form the home. These materials were also left in they're raw form so that they could naturally age, and fit in with the concept of cabin, while also fitting in with the enviroment better.

C House

C House was designed by Donovan Hill (Brian Donovan and Timothy Hill) who started a practice together in 1992. C House was completed 6 years after their practice was first set up (1998). One of the materials that was heavily use in this project is concrete. Concrete was used both internally and externally in the project as a way of connect the interior to the exterior. C house has a large garden towards the front of the block, and pushes the building towards the perimeter. This is based on the influence of Islamic houses which often contain an 'outdoor room' for open air privacy.

Balaam House: My Chosen Exemplar

The above sketches are my own of Balaam House using the architects own and photos of the house to help me to gain a better feel of the house, and how the architect acknowledges and building techniques with drawings.

The Balaam House was designed by Shaun Lockyer who was at the time one of the three directors of Arkhefield. It was completed in 2007 for Don and Natasha O'Rorke, and is locaated on Harbour Road Hamilton, backing on to the Brisbane River.The centrepiece of this house is undoubtedly the bright red swimmining pool cantilevered over the entry. The materials used within this house were white concrete, timber, and zinc. These materials were left so that they could age naturally and the look of the house could change over time. To ensure privacy, the house is screened to the North and West, but open to the river and city views over the South. The house is zoned to try and suit a growing family and their needs. The first floor contains most of the living space, and the pool, while other necessities such as bedrooms are located upstairs. The house makes use of air-conditioning, ventilation and extraction to make the house as comfortable as possible by making use of the site. This home also implements a number of sustainable practices such as rain water harvesting, solar hot water, passive 'heat stack' cross ventilation strategy, solar control glass, operable louvers, and shutters and blinds on solar clocks to limit the need for air-conditioning. The house also has a strong use of 'outdoor rooms'. There are different areas on each of the three levels which consist of timber decking, and timber slats for walls. This allows a view of outside, without others cannot see within without difficulty. It is also an effective way of controlling light, and letting air through a space.

How The Three Aspects Influenced The Cabin Design

The Balaam House addressed the three exemplars in a number of ways. These ways were then investigated, and influenced the design of my cabin.

House as an enviromental filter
- One of the major 'enviromental filter' elements used in the Balaam House is the use of timber slats around the outdoor living areas to provide shading, and wind protection while still allowing light, and the breeze to pass through, and the occupants to view the outside
-The strong use of timber throughout this whole building helps the building to harmonise with nature more, making it feel less manmade, and more natural
-Balaam also implements many sustainable activities such as rain water, harvesting, solar hot water, passive 'heat stack' cross ventilation strategy, solar control glass, and operable louvers, shutters and blinds on solar clocks to limit air-conditioning use
-Balaam is also positioned so that the breeze can flow of the river and into the living areas of the house

House as a container of human activities
-One of the main concepts in this category is the way the house has been zoned. Not only has it been zoned so that the ground floor and the first floor are more public spaces, and the second floor private, but within those levels, the areas are zoned again into sleeping areas, served areas and serving areas
-Lighting is also controlled within different areas of the house by the use of shading devices, as is the ventilation by the use of walls and positioning
- The flow of movement within the house is also controlled, and the occupant is directed up towards the living spaces

House as a delightful experience
-The cantilevered pool over the entrance definately helps with this aspect
-The strong use of outdoor living areas surrounded with timber overlooking the river creates a feeling of spaciousness and helps the viewer to feel connected to the view
- The use of raw materials also helps the building to fit in with the natural surroundings by making it seem less manufactured

From this investigation the following aspects were followed up on in the cabin design:
- One of the major 'enviromental filter' elements used in the Balaam House is the use of timber slats around the outdoor living areas to provide shading, and wind protection while still allowing light, and the breeze to pass through, and the occupants to view the outside
-One of the main concepts in the container of human activities is the way the house has been zoned. Not only has it been zoned so that the ground floor and the first floor are more public spaces, and the second floor private, but within those levels, the areas are zoned again into sleeping areas, served areas and serving areas
-The cantilevered pool over the entrance definately helps with the delightful experience aspect

Developing Cabin Ideas

First of all I had a look at how the Balaam house was zoned. As the Balaam House has three levels the level with the most relevant zones was chosen to be investigated.













Next I abstracted the first floor, into geometric shaped zones.














I then created a bubble diagram, and roughly drew up my zones.















I then worked in with the 75 square meter size limit and sized up the whole house.

My Cabin Design

To relate back to the Balaam House, my cabin makes use of the same materials. White concrete, timber and zinc are the main materials used in this cabin. This cabin like the Balaam House also has a pool cantilevered over the entrance, plenty of outdoor living space, surrounded by a timber slat frame, and has the living areas positioned in the West, and the sleeping areas in the North.The pool deck is open so as to allow views to the CBD, while the studio and bedroom look west towards the peak of 'Linearity Lookout'. The living areas are on the West side of the house, so that during the hottest part of the day, they aren't exposed, instead they will look out to the pleasand Brisbane afternoon sun. The cantilever pool is used as a focal point, and as a way of utilising the deck space, and the idea is gained from the Balaam house. The timber slats inclosing the outdoor living areas provide privacy, shade, and wind protection while not prohibiting views, light, or the breeze. Due to the cabins higher situation it is assumed that it will be susceptible to breeze. The use of outdoor living is heavily implemented so to create more room for the residents. The indoor living spaces are also connected to the outdoor living spaces by slliding doors which open all the way to create uninterupted living space which is well ventilated, and well lit.