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Michael Spinoglio

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Part C, final drawings and analysis

Cabin Design

From this analysis of site, exemplar architects design ethos and brief contraints the final set of drawings was created.

House as an environmental filter: The interplay of large glass windows, luvers and sliding/swivelling doors allows the cabin to make the most of the generous NE opening, utilising the cool summer breezes and warm winter sun.  the placement of wooden batons along the upper story balconies allows the occupant the choice of harnessing the elements or blocking them out.  Placement of windows running from the NE corner to the SW allows for effective cross ventilation through the house when opened up, running through all the major living spaces.  The lack of windows to the SE protects against the extreme climatic conditions along the rear of the house, the concrete facade also protecting the entrance from such extremes.

House as a container of human activities: The segregation of public and private spaces within this house is a key design influence in the room placements, with all primary public spaces such as living, dining, food preparation and general storage placed on the ground floor, private spaces such as the bedroom and work space are played along the upper floor.  The only deviation to this is the toilet which is placed on the second floor near the bedroom, however its isolation from the other spaces ensues it does not encroach upon the more private spaces.  the use of an open plan interior downstairs, with the exteriors grass flowing into the interior dining space creates an expansive dining and function area when opened up to the outside.  The long hallway acts as an arterial runway, connecting all the major spaces within the house on each level.  Upon the second floor decks expand off the private work and bedroom, affording an area for perusing the park and surrounds, additionally the baton work along the NE corner has a small nook built into it, providing a quiet space for reflection. The hallway running along the southern side of the interior works as a insulator against the flats to the south, providing a sound and vision block to these units, in addition the house ground the house is on has been raised and impressive concrete walls playfully arrayed around the building, providing privacy against the encroaching bike path and development.

A house as a delightful experience: Upon entering the house the viewer is welcomed by the stunning 11m hallway, with light piercing through the side walls, providing a stunning entrance to the ground floor space.  The integration of grass growing from the exterior to the interior dining space provides a connection with the outside world, which when opened up through the multitude of swiveling doors provides a large open dining area.  The windows capture the beauty of the parks rolling green vistas, careful placement of baton work and site arrangement blocking out the noises and sites of the suburbia that surrounds.  The opening in the upstairs floor allows the occupant to observe and communicate with those below from the work or bedroom, tying these two levels together and creating a sense of intimacy throughout the cabin.

Part C, design ethos and progression

before initiating the cabin design, the exemplar architects own design philosophies were further analysed, alongside the aesthetic analysis that was undertaken in part B, some key findings included:

The segregation of public spaces to the ground floor, and private spaces to the secondary floor


The use of exterior spaces to make interior spaces feel, or even become larger with the use of changeable open plan spaces, this interplay of interior and exterior spaces was one of the key 'party' elements in his design


The use of a primary hallway or space that all other spaces run onto, another potential 'party' aspect


the abundant use of natural lighting, large glass windows, swiveling doors, and framing of key views, with primary living areas often expanding out into these views.


After taking into account these elements, diagramming of spaces and drafting of spaces was undertaken

bubble diagram of room integration

floor plan progression

floor plan progression

floor plan progression and site analysis

private vs public space analysis within cabin ground floor

private vs public space analysis within cabin first floor

quick perspective drawing to provide an idea of shape and exterior layout

wind analysis diagram of internal space, and quick elevations to provide a sense of external aesthetics

Site diagram detailing how the planted trees and cabin placement take advantage of desirable environmental conditions, while shielding against harsh ones.

first floor natural light diagram

ground floor natural light diagram

Part C, site and environmental analysis

To begin the design process, a site analysis was undertaken via site visits and google earth

In the site analysis it was observed that the road running along the eastern side was quite busy, generating substantial noise pollution, there were also large flats to the south, and a 10 storey building under construction to the West, from these a variety of diagrams were done to help assess the best design practices in the building.

weather diagram of brisbane conditions, NE conditions are easily capitalised upon however letting in noise pollution could be an issue, SW harsh conditions are already partially shielded due to neighbouring buildings and foliage.

tress along the back of the site provide limited privacy against the southern flats, otherwise the block is very exposed, especially along the northern bike path and western development.

trees on site provide a natural wind scoop, pulling the cool summer breezes along the back of the site.

Part C, brief analysis

In beginning the design of my exemplar architects cabin, the details of the brief were summarised, the cabin must:

have an internal floor space no larger than 75m squared
include spaces for preparing meals, dining, living, sleeping, abluting, reflecting and working
fit the head architect and their partner
adhere to the deisgn philosophy of the chosen exemplar building in the cabins own design
respond to the unique context of the site, and finally the local environmental conditions

in addition the cabin must contain:

a space for dining, 
a space for preparing meals
a space for living
a space for abluting
a space for working
a space for reflecting

Part B, final drawings

My own drawings of the architectural plans, depicting the Tugun residence.

Part B, site plan research

A site plan was found using google earth, providing me with additonal information in regards to environmental impacts.

Part B, additional research and aesthetic analysis

The project description sent to me by Fairweather Proberts

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

PROJECT DETAILS

Project Name:                                     Tugun Residence

Date of construction completion:              January 2004

Total project cost:                         $1.3M

Gross floor area (m²):                          340

Project Address:                                     Tugun, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia

Owner / client name:                         Private Residence   

Photographer:                                     Christopher Frederick Jones

Architecture Firm:                         bureau^proberts

SUMMARY

The Tugun Residence provides a living space on the beach edge that allows the beach environment to inhabit the house.  Its ground floor plan is elevated providing protection and privacy from the street and neighbouring property.

Its simple lower plan allows the edges to be fully opened when the weather permits to create an “under the house” feel.  Robust materials are used in response to its location and these materials are expressed in an honest fashion.

This approach allows the house to capture north east to south east breezes and bring them through the living spaces to the rear of the house.  The northern side of the house is dedicated to a circulation spine due to the imminent neighbouring development.  Openings at the upper level are sparing and protected for privacy.  At the lower level these openings are expansive and protected by the external fence.  This approach extends the perceived living areas at the lower level.  The bedrooms are facetted to the south east on the upper level where a response over the existing conditions allow privacy and glimpsed views of the ocean.

A simple steel structural system provided large open spaces and allowed the use of concrete and glass to create the external fabric of the building and for the concrete to become the robust edge of the major living spaces.

Where exposed to the south east, the concrete is playfully sculpted to create an ambiguous form in the street that responds to its casual beach context.  The concrete panels are facetted and varied to achieve the expression.  It required a close collaboration of architect, engineer and specialist sub contractor to ensure its shape and balance for lifting along with its resolution at junctions with openings all whilst maintaining the casual and varied form.  The glass front is a low maintenance and simple form in deference to the concrete edge.  


Drawing Style


In producing the drawings for this project, a key aim was to replicate the exemplar architects style through our own pictorials.  Since this project was completed by a firm and not a single architect, i analysed the firms work as a whole, looking into other projects as well as the tugun residence, observing the aethetic qualities of the buildings interior and exteriors, as well as the design philosophy of the buildings flow through floor plans, in doing so i found


The buildings utilised materials that integrated seamlessly into the surrounding environment, for instance in the case of the tugun residence, the glass, matt grey concrete and light timber finishes provide a stunning yet understated aesthetic finish to the building, allowing it to blend into its context of sand, waves and pandanus palms.


a minimalistic, soft pastely colour palette was utilised


very modern design influences


in satisfying these criteria, a variety of techniques and attempts were played with before settling on the final perspectives for submittal

this rendering was a bit too colourful for the style in mind, the priors more subdued colour palette more fitting.

Part B, additional research

After contacting Fairweather and Proberts I was provided with a full set of drawings and building description which enabled me to further understand the buildings workings.

Part B: Analysis of Archetype

After reviewing all three exemplars works, the Tugun Residence was selected for further research and analysis.  This decision was made as after contacting all three architects, Fairweather Proberts was the most helpful in providing additional project information.  I also had a great fascination with the simplicity of the building, particularly its layout of rooms and beautifully minimalistic, and honest, use of materials.

Part A, Tugan residence summary

Tugun Residence Summary


Delightful experience: The sculptural qualities of the buildings exterior symbolically mimic the waves of the sites context, beautiful in their minimalistic simplicity.  The rudimentary materials within the buildings construction are softened by the application of timbers and glass throughout the structure, creating this incredible juxtaposition of soft and hard materials within this minimalistic structure, allowing the sites stunning context to inhabit the house in the same way as the house inhabits the block.  The main living spaces take full advantage of stunning sea views, and the spaces open plan design allowing the occupants to take advantage of this stunning asset no matter their occupation throughout the day.  The intelligent use of luvers and doors in turn allow the space to open to the elements when desired, encouraging the occupants to not only see, but smell and feel the surrounding environment.


Environmental filters: The ground floor of this structure contains a variety of opening doors and luvers, allowing the space to open up and transform into an 'exterior' space when desired.  The placement of living and cooking spaces through this bottom area taking advantage of such flexibility in the spaces open plan design.  The long major hallway utilises cross ventilation as a major cooling technology throughout the entire ground floor, particularly effective due to its north-east alignment.  The planting of trees and shrubs to the south-east of the block helps to block out harsh winter breezes and summer sun, providing a more moderated environment.  All along the open north-west side a plethora of windows and luvers along an offset wall are played along, allowing for careful control of the internal environment of the structure, additionally no rooms are placed directly against this wall, the main corridor running down the house acting as an insulator against possible extremes in hot or cold.  Contrarily the south-east is predominantly shaded by a neighbouring property, and as such privacy is more of a concern than environmental conditions.

Container of human activites:  The primary public spaces are layed out for the occupant as they enter the house, the terrace expanding upon to the dining and living areas on the ground floor.  The open plan nature of these spaces, and their expansive feel, is further enhanced by the placement of an exterior fence, enhancing the percieved size of the ground floor.
Other rudimentary spaces such as the retreat, toilet, and kids play room are played out along the ground floor, allowing for easy access to guests.  Private spaces such as the bedrooms are then played along the upper floor, providing an extra sense of privacy and control in such higher placement, and removing the need for any guests to need to travel through them.  The ground floor is in turn raised from the street level, allowing for enjoyment of the open plan ground floor spaces with additional privacy from curious onlookers.

Part A, Tugan residence research

Jones, F Christopher (2007), photographer, Tugun Residence, Queensland, Tugun