Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Conclusion

Fibonacci Falls Cabin has been designed for the Bark Studio House architects, Lindy Atkin and Stephen Guthrie. This has been achieved from the study of the three exemplar houses taking qualities from each, influenceing the cabin design. Its designed with the intent to represent their philosophies and approach to design while functioning both as a comfortable living environment and an inspirational place for them to work.

Cabin Design Discussion

Design Intent

The Fibonacci Falls Cabin design has been influenced by the three exemplar houses, 33RD Lane, the Isaacson-Davis House and particularly the Bark Studio House. The cabin design has depicted the principal qualities and philosophies from the three exemplar houses and combined these to form a cabin that is sensitive and responsive to the natural environment being an environmental filter, a container of human activities and a delightful experience.


Points of influence

Bark Studio
house:

- light weight and economical materials
- elevated buildin
g regarding respect to natural topography, terrain and watercourses
- climatically responsive design; venti
lation, natural light
- blurring the line between ‘the b
uilt’ and ‘the natural’
- the ability to utilize space by sharing
areas in a multifunctional manner; the ‘work/house’ typology
- forming an inspirational working environment

33RD Lane:


- a house should not only supply the necessary spaces to live in, it should supply others as well becoming a place someone can ‘escape to’ and regard as a delightful experience
- constant connection to nature, bringing the outdoors in

Isaacson-Davis House:

- The interplay between solid walls and voids, open roofs and glass panels, interior areas and areas which extend into the landscape forming a connection to its surrounding environment
- thought behind the floor plans and room arrangement minimising the need to walk through unnecessary room
s
- the journey from the road to the house, forces the visitor to think about what form they are about to enter


Fibonacci Falls Cabin: As an Environmental Filter

The cabin has been orientated to capture as much desirable natural light as possible, reducing need for artificial lighting; it has also been constructed to block the undesirable western sun assisting in keeping a pleasant temperature indoors.








The open design gives opportunity for air flow to freely tunnel through the front section of the house preventing the need to rely on air conditioning

.

Having the house elevated on stilts prevents earth works, any disturbances to the natural ground, surrounding vegetation or watercourses; this also assists in the ventilation of the design.

The design works with the existing conditions, not against them.

The materials are lightweight and economical, including steel which can be recycled and plantation grown plywood.

Immersing the cabin amongst nature, framing views over the landscape, and the use glass panels, open and outdoors areas in the design helps to bring the landscape in, creating a sense of connection to the surrounding environment, blurring the line between the built and the natural.




As a Container of Human Activit
ies

The cabin has been based on the proposal of having a mixed use, becoming a work-house; A cabin that has the qualities of an inspirational working environment while at the same time can be used comfortably for living in.

The house therefore will not only contain a bed and a work space, it has areas for dining, reflecting, relaxing, gathering, studying along with the necessary kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom.







The cabin has been hidden amongst dense vegetation so only fragmented glimpses can been seen at times when driving towards it, this gives the feeling of retreatment from everyday life giving people the chance to escape from busy lives; it also creates a journey for visitors forcing them to imagine the form they are about to enter.



The floor plan and room arrangement has been carefully planned, public and private areas have been separated, with the living areas grouped at one side and the sleeping areas at the other, connected with the services areas between, effectively stoping walking through rooms without need.

The room arrangement has been created to have relationships between neighboring spaces so as they can share space
making the tiny floor area of the cabin seem much larger.


As a Delightful Experience

The openness in the design, and having it elevated gives it a weightless appearance. This sets an enjoyable light hearted mood and sense of freedom within the cabin.

The constant natural air flow enables the inhabitant to physically feel the
breeze and pick up the aromas of the surrounding natural landscape forming a direct connection to the outdoor environment.


The glass panels enable natural light to flood the space during the day giving a sensation of life and at night the moonlight is able to sweep in setting a peaceful and serene ambiance to fall asleep with.






The front of the cabin is angled tilting forward, this is to assist in cutting and diffusing direct sunlight so it is not beaming down on the work spaces, it is also to capture and frame the views looking down the hillside and out along Fibonacci Falls and down Reciprocity River.

When arriving at the c
abin the first thing to look at is the Landscape extending over the horizon, the design allows views over the landscape to be captured from all angles within the cabin including straight through itself one side to the other.

Having the cabin feel isolated, but still easily reachable if needed gives the inhabitant a chance to relax and retreat from their everyday lives.

The simple light weight materials used in a structurally strong and legible fashion gives a sense of purity and transparency to the cabin.

Cabin Design Process

Planning

Matrix
Diagram

Bubble Diagram
s

Morphing Into the Design

Monday, March 22, 2010

Cabin Design Drawings

Fibonacci Falls Cabin:

Floor PlanSection A-ASection B-BSection C-CElevation
Site Plan
Site ContextExterior Perspective - P1Interior Perspective- P2

Isaacson-Davis House - John Wardle

“In 1997, architect John Wardle received the RAIA (Victorian Chapter) Architecture Medal for the design of the best building in the state - a beach house for clients, Tony Isaacson and Megan Davis, at Balnarring. The site, nestled amongst coastal ti trees with a tiny camping ground across the road, is tucked behind the fore-dune, which screens any ocean view.” (Timber Building in Australia, 2009)

(Stuart Harrison,Unknown)

As an Environmental Filter

The house is elevated reducing earth works and disturbances to the natural vegetation its terrain and natural water courses.

The house has been constructed with materials that are sympathetic to the environm
ent this is clearly evident in that the houses exterior is almost completely timber, highlighting the notion of an environmentally friendly design. (Ferguson, S.)

A large amount of windows and glass panels give the appearance that the outside is coming in, creating a intimacy with the natural surrounding environment.

The floor plan has been molded around climatic conditions, this has enabled natural ventilation to flow through the house along with natural light,
the capture of desirable sun and blocking of undesirable sun allows the uses of all rooms to be comfortable at all times of day, this reduces the need of air conditioning and artificial lighting. The sun angles have been carefully worked with along with the optimum vantage points of the ocean.

(Timber Building in Australia, 2009)
(Ferguson, S.)

As a Container of Human Activities

The house has been designed based on the concept of a suit case, one has to un-pack its contents then re-pack once moving. This is to make the house feel like a holiday house giving the inhabitant a sense of retreat from their normal lifestyle. (John Wardle Architects, 2006)

The floor plan has been formed to circulate around a human lifestyle, consideration of human activities has depicted where the rooms have been situated; the living areas to one end, connected to services areas in the middle and then the sleeping areas at the other end. This minimizes the need to walk through rooms unnecessarily.

(Timber Building in Australia, 2009)
(Ferguson, S.)

As a Delightful Experience

Fine detail has been put in to the construction and choice of materials to heighten the users experience. (John Wardle Architects, 2006)

The house glows at night time, the vegetation around the house blocks moon light creating a contrast to the golden lighting almost exploding through the gaps in the timber shell design.

Image Source: (John Wardle Architects, 2006)




Entrance from the road to the house has been intended to be a stimulating journey, the house is hidden amongst dense vegetation and is
carefully ‘unfolded’ encouraging visitors to consider what it is they are about to enter. (John Wardle Architects, 2006)





The interplay between s
olid walls and voids, open roofs and glass panels, interior areas and areas which extend into the landscape creates a relationship with the inside and its surrounding environment, bringing the outdoors in blurring the line between ‘the built’ and the natural.

(Timber Building in Australia, 2009)
(Ferguson, S.)

References


Ferguson, S. Isaacson/Davis Beach House. Retrieved From:
http://www.timber.org.au/NTEP/Resources/17s.pdf (accessed March 5, 2010)

John Wardle Architects (2006) Balnarring Beach House. Retrieved From:
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 March 6, 2010)

Stuart Harrison (Unknown) Australian Design Review. Retrieved From:
http://www.australiadesignreview.com/data/images/contents/0000/1360.JWA.jpg

Timber Building in Australia (2009) Projects- Isaacson/Davis Beach House. Retrieved From:
http://oak.arch.utas.edu.au/projects/aus/459/default.htm#Information (accessed March 7, 2010)

33rd Lane - Geoffrey Bawa (International)

“The Sri Lankan Architect Geoffrey Bawa is now regarded as having been one of the most important and influential Asian architects of the twentieth century.” “Bawa’s work is characterised by a sensitivity to site and context. He produced ‘sustainable architecture’ long before the term was coined, and had developed his own “regional modernist” stance well in advance of the theoreticians.” (Geoffrey Bawa Trust, 2010)

(Geoffrey Bawa Trust, 2010)

(Jetwing Travels, 2010)

As an Environmental Filter

The house has been designed in a way that effectively brings natural elements within, courtyards and surprising openings in walls enhance a relationship with nature throughout the design distorting the boundaries of outdoors and indoors.

The surrounding nature of the site has been worked with not against, Geoffrey Bawa believes that trees and boulders are gifts as they create vistas inspiring the creation of spaces that bring pleasure around them. (Geoffrey Bawa Trust, 2010)



Natural light is utilised with many sky lights, courtyards and openings in walls allowing light to enter spaces in interesting ways heightening the experience for the inhabitant.

“His sensitivity to environment is reflected in his careful attention to the sequencing of space, the creation of vistas, courtyards, and walkways, the use of materials and treatment of details" (Geoffrey Bawa Trust, 2010)
image source:
(Matthews, K. Artifice, Inc. 2010)

"Highly personal in his approach, evoking the pleasures of the senses that go hand in hand with the climate, landscape, and culture of ancient Ceylon, Bawa brings together an appreciation of the Western humanist tradition
in architecture with needs and lifestyles of his own country" (Geoffrey Bawa Trust, 2010)

(Unknown, 2010)


As a Container of Human Activities

The house has numerous rooms linked by courtyards in almost a maze like fashion. This creates a journey experienced by the inhabitant filled with surprising vistas to the outdoors or views into separate sections of the house.
(Weereratne, N.)

The house was designed to facilitate himself reflecting his lifestyle and interests. This is apparent in that nearly every room has a link to history.

This house is a perfect example of his belief that a house should not be just for living in, this is why 33rd Lane incorporates spaces used for prayer, reflecting, working, study, and relaxation along with all the necessary spaces needed for living. (Matthews, K. Artifice, Inc. 2010)

He designs with an intention to give the inhabitant a sense of retreatment from everyday life giving people the chance to feel free. (Weereratne, N.)

As a Delightful Experience

The presence of nature and the constant outdoor element enhance by the frequent courtyards gives people a direct connection to the environment.

The rooms and circulation path has been assembled to create a journey throughout the building making a visit an intriguing experience constantly reminded by small vistas looking into other sections of the house or its surroundings.



The openings in the design also allow for a large amount of natural light to filter in lighting the rooms in a humble manner.

The building has a unique ambiance inside it expressed by the earthy textures and all the historical artefacts placed in the design.

A magnificent view across the landscap
e and into the sea is captured using a tower as the vantage point. The journey to the top of the tower is enhanced through the control of light evoking a feeling of outdoor freedom.


It’s a place someone can come home and escape to "It is a haven of peace, an infinite garden of the mind, locked away within a busy and increasingly hostile city" (Matthews, K. Artifice, Inc. 2010)

(Geoffrey Bawa Trust, 2010)
(Weereratne, N.)
image source: (Matthews, K. Artifice, Inc. 2010)





References

Geoffrey Bawa Trust (2010) Bawa and beyond Bawa Tours. Retrieved From:
http://www.geoffreybawa.com/bawaweek/channadasawatta1.html (accessed March 6, 2010)

Geoffrey Bawa Trust (2010) Geoffrey Bawa. Retrieved From:
http://www.geoffreybawa.co
m/NUMBER_11/Introduction.html (accessed March 4, 2010)

Jetwing Travelers (2010) Images/Offers Thumb/Geoffrey Bawa. Retrieved From:
http://www.jetwingtravels.com/images/OffersThumb/GBawa.jpg
(accessed March 15, 2010)

Matthews, K. Artifice, Inc. (2010) Bawa House. Retrieved From:

http://www.greatbuildings.com/buildings/Bawa_House.html (accessed March 4, 2010)

Unknown (2010) Geoffrey Bawa [Electronic Version]Arch Net Digital Library
http://www.archnet.org/library/parties/one-party.jsp?party_id=73

Weereratne, N. The complete Geoffrey Bawa. Retrieved From:
http://www.infolanka.com/org/srilanka/people/88.htm (accessed March 5, 2010)

Bark Studio House Architects

Lindy Atkin and Stephen Guthrie

(Saraf,M. Mehta, M. 2007)

Lindy Atkin was born in Sydney, Australia in 1964. By 1985 she had graduated from the University of Queensland with a Bachelor of Design Studies to then travel to London to work with a series of professionals from 1989 – 1995. During this time Lindy became a registered UK architect. She has now returned home to the Sunshine Coast working with Stephen Guthrie. (Saraf,M. Mehta, M. 2007)

Stephin Guthrie was born in Nottingham, England in 1967. Stephin studied at the University of Tennessee, USA, RMIT, Melbourne coming to an end in Queensland where he then graduated in a Bachelor of Architecture in 1993. He then began his work on the Sunshine Coast with architect John Mainwaring until forming Bark Design Architects in 1997 with Lindy Atkin.
(Saraf,M. Mehta, M. 2007)

Together they direct Bark Design Architects and have designed projects in Australia and for international clients including Romania, London, Singapore, USA, Switzerland and Japan. (Saraf,M. Mehta, M. 2007)

Reference

Saraf, M. Mehta, M. 2007. Bark Design Architects. Retrieved From:
http://www.architecture-page.com/go/people/profiles/bark-design-architects (accessed March 15, 2010)

Bark Studio House

“Bark Design Architects, a small Australian practice, have designed a studio for themselves that showcases their philosophy of design and provides a great space to work, located on the Noosa Hinterland.” (Cilento, K. 2009)

(Contemporist, 2009)
Drawings

Floor PlanUpper Floor PlanSection A-ASite PlanElevationPerspective P1

As an Environmental Filter

The Bark House Studio has been designed to be respectful to the environment, sensitive to its natural surroundings and to create a connection between what is built and what is nature. The architects carefully positioned the house between two mature Brown Bloodwood Eucalypt trees as a way to emphasize this relationship. (Contemporist, 2009)


Sitting on four steel footings, the elevated building minimizes any
disturbance to the natural ground line and the trees’ root systems maintaining natural terrain, natural water courses and significant vegetation.


The design is extremely open allowing maximum ventilation and penetration of natural light, this is achieved by the use of louvers and slide able glass panels present on 3 sides of the house. The predominantly glass design was made possible with the use of a skeletal steel frame enabling the glass to span from the floor to the ceiling.



The steel and glass work together to frame magnificent views which overlook the coast line, creating an overwhelming sense of a connecting to the surrounding landscape.






The house has been orientated to capture the desirable northern and eastern sunlight during the day but is careful to block the harsh western sun in the afternoon.

This clever orientation combined with the open design and spatial planning makes all living areas in the house enjoyable at all times of day without the use of artificial light or air-conditioning. The design uses economical and light weight materials including plywood sourced from plantation grown timber and steel which is recyclable.

“The project stresses the architects’ beliefs that a building should work with the existing conditions and not agains
t them. Hence, the natural fairly steep topography and existing water courses are maintained and enhanced by the architecture" (Cilento, K. 2009)

(Contemporist, 2009)
(Bark Design Architects, 2009)

As a Container of Human Activities

The Bark House Studio has been designed by architects Stephen Guthrie and Lindy Atkin’s to express their design approach and viewpoints while creating an inspirational work place for the Bark Design team.

“The Bark Studio explores the notion of a mixed work / house typology – a workhouse” (Contemporist, 2009) The house has been designed to effectively be a work place for 5 – 6 architects, a house for a couple or a mixture of both if needed. The house contains areas to work but also areas such as the outdoor deck giving a place to look over the landscape and reflect, or the mezzanine level bound by shelving filled with books proving quiet space to read and sleep. The house contains all facilities needed to live in, including a bathroom, laundry, eating area and kitchen. (Contemporist, 2009)

The Bark studio has been successful in achieving its multifunctional objective allowing people the opportunity to live there whilst being an inspiring environment for an architectural studio.

image sourced: (Contemporist, 2009)
(Bark Design Architects, 2009)




As a Delightful Experience

The studio’s placement in amongst nature makes it such a peaceful and relaxing experience. Its orientation and situation has been carefully planned giving consideration to wind direction, sun path, and views, creating a pleasant indoor atmosphere that has a direct and obvious relationship with its natural surroundings.

image sourced: (Contemporist, 2009)






During the
day natural light floods the open design creating a lively, positive, ‘feel good’ sensation and at night sets the mood for a relaxing, tranquil night’s sleep alongside the stars and moonlight.




Placing the house on a hillside provides every room in the house with a beautiful view overlooking dense vegetation, the coast line and out into the expansive Pacific Ocean.

The architects intent was to design an inspiring place for the Bark Studio team and they have done just that, emphasizing the bond between the built and the natural creates a delightful ambiance indoors that’s present even while working.



References

Bark Design Architects (2009) Bark Studio. Retrieved from:
http://www.architecture.com.au/awards_search?option=showaward&entryno=2005408 (accessed March 4, 2010)

Bark Design Architects (2010) Projects - Commercial - Bark Studio. Retrieved from:
http://www.barkdesign.com.au/ (accessed March 3, 2010)

Cilento, K. (2009) The Studio of Bark Design Architects. Retrieved from:
http://www.archdaily.com/39543/the-studio-of-bark-design-architects/ (accessed March 3, 2010)

Contemporist (2009) The Studio of Bark Design Architects. Retrieved from:
http://www.contemporist.com/2009/10/24/the-studio-of-bark-design-architects/ (accessed March 10, 2010)