Exemplar - Highgate Hill Residence by Richard Kirk Architect

Designed by Richard Kirk Architects, Highgate Hill Residence is located on a south facing ravine adjacent to one Brisbane’s oldest ridgeline roads – Dornoch Terraces. The steepness of the rectangular site has resulted in a verdant and mature landscape consisting of a mixture of native and exotics, which created the opportunity to place the house within a rich landscape environment.

The Highgate Hill Residence is located on a south facing ravine adjacent to one Brisbane’s oldest ridgeline roads – Dornoch Terrace. The steepness of the rectangular site has resulted in a verdant and mature landscape consisting of a mixture of native and exotics, which created the opportunity to place the house within a rich landscape environment.
As a result of the steepness of the site and the desire to connect the house to an outdoor ground plane the house adopts two distinct identities – the north (landscape) and east (street) is a diminutive floating single level volume hovering over fine steel pins – the south and west (distant views) the vertical and monumental character is revealed of the tall three level residence.
To the North and East, the living level embraces the landscape as the upper level hovers over the ground plane as a protective canopy. In these areas where the building is more intimate, the materials and detailing are deliberately fine and diminutive. Fine vertical timber members screen the building upper level to the street provide a public façade of a veil of timber screens that works as a series of layers laid over the building volume. The upper level of the Northern walls have a façade of glazed vertical timber mullions or sticks which open the interior to the landscape and the filtered northern light through the tree canopy’s. To integrate the landscape with the living spaces on the middle level, the external openings are of a significant scale so that the internal floor plate opens up completely to the outdoor spaces that consist of a series of floating platforms of constructed ground planes of timber decking or turf. To celebrate the transition from interior to exterior the east and north facing walls open completely via series of stacking sliding glazed timber panels.
The Southern and Western facades reveal the height of the building and engage with the distant views are more monumental and respond to the distant views.
The rectangular form of the house is organized over three levels with the middle level containing living and dining spaces and also the point of entry from the street. The upper level contains all the bedrooms and a void that is located over the dining area. The lower level contains a guest room and a media space. The void within the house acts not only as a spatial device to orient and extenuate the verticality of the tall trees outside, but also separates bedrooms of the parents and children. The stair is an important organizational reference between the levels and is treated as a sculptural element that twists slightly within the void to allow its form to visually link all levels.
In response to the dominance of the landscape, the house is entirely clad in timber and uses timber glazed façade systems where each species is selected to age in response to its orientation and weathering.

Reference
- 2007-2008 Architecture and Home Design http://archinhome.com/contemporary-house-design/highgate-hill-residence-by-richard-kirk-architects/ (accessed on March 5)
- 2009 Dave http://www.contemporist.com/2009/07/01/the-highgate-hill-residence-by-richard-kirk-architects/ (accessed on March 5)

Exemplar-Casa Tolo by Alvaro Leite Siza Vieira

The Casa Tolo by portuguese architect Alvaro Leite Siza Vieira. This building located on a steep hill in northern portugual. "instead of fighting the natural environment, the architect embraced it using the slope as the home's main characteristic. the home begins at the top of the hill and slowly reveals itself as you descend down the outdoor staircase. the home was designed as a vacation home for the architect's cousin, wife and children. despite the familiar connection the home was built on a tight budget of 150,000 usd. the various rooms are divided among the levels, each one even has its own patio space. despite the frontal exposure to the hot sun, the residence is cooled by the earth which surrounds it on three sides."


Casa Tolo is designed with the purpose of using as a vacation house for the architects wife, children, and cousins, the Casa Tolo is located on one of the steep hill northern Portugal. Normally, architects use to fight with natural environment, however Siza did in contrast. He embraced it and uses the slope as the buildings main feature. This unique home created by Siza begins at the top of the hill, and slowly show off its beauty as you go down the outdoor staircase. Despite of being the son of a well-known and award winning person, the house has a tight budget of $150,000, no so expensive for an eco friendly building.

                                    

Reference

- 2006-2010 Gadget Magazine, Casa Tolo http://www.likecool.com/Casa_Tolo--Building--Home.html (accessed on March 5)
- 2010 IGreenSpot Casa Tolo Building Embraces Natural Environment http://www.igreenspot.com/casa-tolo-building-embraces-natural-environment/ (accessed on March 5)

Cabin Design

South East View

My cabin design was inspired from the Isaacson Davis House by John Wardle. First of all, climatically and geographically responsive design was applied such as ventilation and natural light. With my design, in relation to the given site, I have situated my cabin facing due north to take advantage of all of the beneficial climate influences and scenery. For example, the kitchen receives an abundance of sunlight in the morning and the large window allows the nice green scenery around the cabin to be captured Furthermore; the vegetations to the south of the site create a boundary between the neighbours and the cabin which then leads to the feeling of some protection and privacy.

The site is so easily accessible that it has no privacy. Because of this, the cabin is built on pillars in order to keep the privacy from people who walk pass the site. Another positive factor of the house being built on pillars is that the breeze coming from south east of the site is able to circulate beneath the cabin which can be beneficial as a natural cooling system. The shape of the roof also helps with air ventilation; hot air goes up and cool air stays in the lower level.

North View

The second idea that was influenced from John Wardle’s design is the materials that were used; in particular timber. The use of timber as exterior and interior walls and the floor gives a richness and delightful sense which also brings the idea of harmony together with the environment. Two layers of timber walls can provide more protection and therefore the occupants can have some privacy. Also, the timber minimizes noises from outside which is helpful because the site is open to the vehicle noises from the road next to the site. The lighter colour of the outer wall and the roof prevents excessive absorption of the sunlight so that the cabin does not heat up due to the sun.

Garden and Outdoor living room/deck

The large controllable timber blinded window on the north side wall allows the occupant to control the amount of sunlight and privacy by altering the timber blind which also helps to provide a very nice wide-open view at the front. This would negate the stiffness that the closed roof may create due to the tall building next to the site. As well as these ideas, the most influenced idea from Isaacson Davis House was the idea of ‘journey’. The cabin is a very long and narrow design which creates the feeling of a journey, which starts from the side of the cabin. The deck at the front, acts as an outdoor living room where occupants can spend their free time enjoying the sunlight, cool breeze and beautiful view. The little garden brings out the coziness of the cabin and outdoor activities can be done in the garden.

View from bedroom to the entrance - kitchen and dining

 View from indoor reflecting area to courtyard and private area across

View of indoor reflecting area

Thirdly, the idea of structural placement was reflected on my cabin design. The cabin is divided into two spaces; private and public. For example, spaces that are public such as the kitchen, dining and living rooms are placed at the very front of the cabin from the East, so they can be easily accessed whereas the spaces that are private like the bedroom and the studio are located in both upstairs and downstairs at the West side of the cabin. The courtyard between the private and public areas can be used as a space for reflecting; it constantly catches the sunlight and also gets breezes coming directly through the pillars. Also, there is an indoor reflecting space where the occupants can enjoy the night sky through the glass wall; it is a perfect spot for relaxing with the cool breezes and the outdoor views visible through the large windows The high ceiling creates a sense of open space, so the occupants can enjoy the greatness of the cabin even though the cabin is narrow and also the owners can experience the contrast of great adventure of indoor activities and peacefulness through the connection with the outdoor environment. The fences around the cabin create a boundary which brings about the idea of private and public space again.

Site Plan 1:100

Plans - 1:100

South Elevation - 1:100

North Section - 1:100



Cabin Design - Design Process

Isaacson Davis Beach House - Drawings

Exterior -  North-West view

West View

Interior - view to living end along study

Interior - view to kitchen and dining from living room

Floor Plan 1:75

Elevations 1:75

Section 1:75

Isaacson Davis Beach House - Exemplar

Delightful Experience

The house is designed based on the idea of suit case. It reflects the ideas of ‘unpacked’ on arrival and ‘repacked’ on departure for the weekend away which can also be described as hidden design that heighten discovery through the house. The idea of discovery starts from the road that leads to the house which would lead the visitors to consider the form they are about to enter. The outer skin will weather to a grey-white whilst the inner oiled reveal its warmth and tactility (Balnarring Beach House). The sense of dignity to the street of the small weekender is further enhanced by the subtle manipulation of a series of steeped volumes within the form (Isaacson/Davis Beach House). The detail of the house is of a high standard and the use of quality materials such as timber heightens the experience of the resident. The vegetation surroundings in the dark give the opportunity to the house glows more at night time which then the golden lighting heightens the warmth of the house.

Human activities

Elevated façades of the living area at the front of the site is for providing both views and privacy (Jackson. D & Johnson. C, 2000). The house contains a ‘narrative journey’ meaning it is long with living areas and bedrooms that are situated separately at each end. Wardle also manipulates the section, so as a result of a rising skillion, one end becomes two storeys; the ground floor as garage (Isaacson/Davis Beach House). The structure of the house is reflected by the client’s pattern of living; the bedroom provides the first look of the rising sun, the kitchen and dining areas face the northern garden aspect and the living room announces the evening by addressing the setting sun (Van Schaik, L. 2008). Guests are greeted in the dining area and kitchen instead of a foyer as soon as they step into the house. Also the open roof of the outdoor room allows the sense of capturing additional space. As the occupants move around or unpack the house as they move around, they will become aware of the unusual trick of floor-level strip which naturally divides the spaces and windows giving privacy while allowing glances to the ground outside.

Environmental Filter

The site, nestled amongst coastal tee trees with a tiny camping ground across the road, is tucked behind the fore-dune, which screens any ocean view (Balnarring Beach House).The house is floated above the site which allows the landscape to remain relatively undisturbed. The floating effect provides natural cooling by allowing air to circulate beneath the house and also no chance of contact with moisture and decay by floating the house so that it is free from contact of the ground. A large number of windows and glass panels give the sense of open space which allows the outside to come in therefore, creating a close relationship with the surrounding environment. Also, the design allows sun light to be captured for natural lighting. These elements then lead to reduction of need of air conditioning and artificial lighting. The house is contextual, where local materials and vernacular traditions are embraced (Isaacson/Davis Beach House). Wardle incorporates the earth defying elements with earth bindings or anchoring elements, so that the house cantilevers over the site (Jackson. D & Johnson. C, 2000). The house has been constructed with materials that are sympathetic to the environment this is clearly evident in that the houses exterior is almost completely timber, highlighting the notion of an environmentally friendly design (Isaacson/Davis Beach House).

Reference List

-          Timber Research Unit, Isaacson/Davis Beach House http://www.timberbuilding.arch.utas.edu.au/projects/aus/459/ (accessed on March 5).

-          2006 John Wardle Architects, Balnarring Beach House http://www.johnwardle.com/projects/default.htm?i_PageNo=1&ProjectId=16&pageNo=1&ProjectCategoryId=3&ProjectKindId=0&Featured=0&Archived=0&AllProjects=0&ViewMode=text (accessed on March 5).

-          Van Schaik, L. (2008). Volume: John Wardle Architects Australia: Thames & Hudson

-          Jackson. D & Johnson. C, (2000). Australian Architecture Now. USA; Gingko Press Inc.