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For this space, my springboard is the design concept opposite. I want to create a highly manicured, ordered and structured space that combines vernacular architecture and traditional design patterns from Spain into a high gloss, geometric based and black and white colored space. I will use materiality to help define function of space and use black textured wall patterns was a way-finding aspect through the hallways and into the living space. Below are inspiration photos for the living room/ kitchen/ dining and bedrooms. For the hallway walls, using the traditional wall tiling process I want to install textured tiles which add movement to the space and encourage movement through the space. Using the water ripples and geometric Islamic/ Spanish tiling patterns below are inspirations.
Through out this process I've focused on how the form will interact with the site, how the sun will effect the lighting within the space, as well as what activities need light at what time of day. I have worked through what the space should feel like, what it will emote and how it will do that. Keeping in mind the experience of the fish, and how they move through the channels and larger ponds, I felt that mimicking the compression and expansion would be an important feature. As such, for scheme #3 I scaled down the expansive form into a more manageable size. Below is a photo of the site. The site has a large pond one side and has access to a smaller canal on the other. The aquaponics garden will be hosted in the canal off of the SW side of the house. This smaller space offers the same amenities but uses space more effectively.
The building is divided into public and private spaces. The hallways act as funnels, encouraging new comers into the kitchen and living space, away from the laboratory and office, which are more private. Similarly to the canals of the site, they are smaller and encourage movement through them into the larger ponds. This residence uses the same principles, which will be further developed through use of materiality on the walls and sound reducing flooring as well as dark colors. The kitchen and living space will be completely white, reflecting light down the hallways and acting as "a light at the end of a tunnel." The curved wall faces south which will amplify the use of light in the space during the time of use, it is always faced away from other buildings on site, creating a secluded and peaceful feeling. The design concepts have morphed into the word opposite. I want to use biomimicry from the site to influence how the space is put together, but want to create a space the is far removed from the organic curves from nature. Inside will depart from what would be expected. Working from the radial plan I began to massage the structure into a more usable space. Thinking about varying scale, sight lines and roof line. From this process scheme #2 emerged which featured: 2 bd 1 bth Separated working and living spaces An entry with a washer and dryer to allow for easy disrobing and discarding of muddy clothes and gear. Due to the location of the site, this building would need to be nearly self sustainable to minimize the footprint it could potentially leave on the terrain. As such this building would be equipped with solar panels and would take Scheme #1 and build up as to incorporate all of the same elements but with a smaller foot print. As such, this is a 2 story building with an aquaponics garden on floor zero, hovering on a platform above the water. Aquaponics is a system of aquaculture in which the waste produced from fish and other aquatic animals, supplies nutrients for plants grown hydroponically, which in turn purifies the water. The scientists will then have access to fresh vegetables. Below are elevations based on this 2 story structure. Scheme #2 offers great potential, for leaving a smaller mark on the land through smaller sq footage, raised structure, ensuring the natural vegetation can continue to prosper, solar panels, and an aquaponics garden.
Using Frances Ching's book Architecture: Form, Space and Order I began playing with how to organize the space for this mixed use living and research space. I played with clusters, linear, spiral, and grid layouts and discovered that the most successful pattern was the linear or cluster. The star represents where the entrance is and the arrows indicate the natural flow through the space. I've labeled three of the winning layouts with the numbers 1. 2. and 3. A consideration I kept in mind is how the scientists would feel when entering into the house. I needed a definite separation between the private and public spaces of the house, with enough separation between the bedrooms, the research lab and the living room/ kitchen which is one reason why I choose the radial layout as my top choice.
I also was concerned about creating a dynamic form that would match the environment through it's diverse view points, always changing depending on what side of the building you're standing on. Through space association planning I gathered the essence of this space which highlights each other the three main spaces as individual assets to create a whole.
I need to provide the researchers seclusion, safety, and access to each space, similarly to how the animals and plants are treated on site. My main design words guiding my project are: - Dynamic - Movement - Protective - Un-invasive Every design decision will focus on creating a space that is formed through the collaboration of the surroundings and these design concepts. After researching the vernacular architecture of the location I was pressed to inject a playful spirit into the space of the house. Breaking the space based on public/ private or group/ individual activity. Below are some experimental space associations. Figuring out the function of the space aided in choosing which association to focus on. Since this space is dedicated to the research and downtime of the two scientists the space would better be associated around the separation of the lab, sleeping and living spaces. In order to secure privacy and enhance focus for the research the lab must be physically separated from the other parts of the house. Also, to accommodate different work schedules, the relaxation/ dining space must be separated from the sleeping area.
Through this thinking I came to my floor plan layout. |
Project OverviewFor Carrie's junior studio class she was asked to design an on-site permanent research lab for scientists studying the relationships of living elements within a natural fish hatchery. Archives
May 2016
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