Cabin Design - Explanation

Architects Cabin

The cabin design took concepts and ideas from Arkhefields Balaam house, and applied them on a much smaller scale, for clients with quiet different needs, and a site facing almost the complete opposite direction. Despite these differences, the influences of the Balaam house can be seen throughout the design.

With the client only needing spaces for; living, working, reflecting, dining, preparing meals and sleeping combined in a cabin of maximum 75 square metres the design has stayed fairly simple.

Whilst unlike the Balaam house, the cabin had a relatively un-interrupted site location, with the river on the northern side as opposed to the southern. This left the north and east areas free to be fully utilized.

Due to the North-Eastern façade being deemed the most desirable, the public spaces were located here. Walking through the entrance, views over the river can be seen immediately, with all public spaces in an open plan in front and to the right, whilst the private spaces have been clearly separated to the western side, and with the studio above the entrance.

The plan is designed to direct flow through the entrance out into the public areas, as the rooms open up and views of the river are a prominent feature. Rendered concrete and ageing timber were used in a similar style to the Balaam house and provide a nice contrast.

The inlet of grass between the studio surrounded by glass, combined with the water feature under the staircase aims to enhance the effect of an indoor/outdoor area when the doors are open.

A skylight is used where the ceiling height drops down from the public to private spaces to ensure natural lighting exists as much as possible, both in the morning from the East, and in the afternoon from the west. This skylight also acts as a louver to provide ventilation as the hot air can escape, naturally cooling the cabin. Louvers are also evident on the southern face on each wall. With large openings on the north out over the river, this provides a controllable degree of cross-ventilation, removing the need for air-conditioning.

Ventilation & Natural Light Diagrams

Interior Perspective (with and without materials)

Cabin Design

Cabin Design

Site Plan

Cabin Design Development Diagrams

Spatial Analysis





Form Development

Environmental Aspect Exploration

Basic Development Sketches

Site Opportunity

Balaam House - Arkhefield

Balaam House - Arkhefield

Designed for an extensive family of varying ages, the Balaam house by Arkhefield strives to serve the purpose of a functional family environment, accommodating the needs of young children, teens and parents under the one roof. An integral part of making this work is the zoning of differing spaces. With ample space spread over four floors and extensive outdoor living areas, the Balaam house successfully serves its purpose by creating a large private sanctuary in a relatively public environment.

Neighbored by a larger scale residential development on the East, and bordered by the Brisbane River and public boardwalk on the South, one of Arkhefields priorities was to create respite from the surrounding environment, whilst interacting with the river, passers-by on the boardwalk, and the city.

Due to the development on the eastern side it is evident that despite the beneficial aspect of the Eastern facing side, the majority of the open, public spaces are located on the western side of the site. This is due to the large-scale development overshadowing the eastern side.

The private spaces in the house are predominantly located on the eastern side, with a guest bedroom on the ground floor, the teenage children’s bedrooms on the first floor, and the parents ‘retreat area’, main bedroom, and children’s bedroom on the second floor.

This design works well to give ownership of space to certain zones of the house, and creates a clear distinction between private and public spaces.

Although the Balaam house is not a stereotypical ESD house, it does feature numerous design features to take advantage of the natural resources available. Situated underneath the southern pavilion lies a water tank which collects rain water from the roof. Solar panels on the roof provide heating for the water, and operable louvers, shutters and blinds run on solar clocks to limit the use of air-conditioning.

A passive ‘heat stack’ cross ventilation strategy also aims to reduce the need for air-conditioning.

The form of the house is effective as it draws the users out towards the river, focusing public spaces at the southern end. The walls are predominantly straight, with a number of curved walls to add conrast, and a playful pool design cantilevering out over the entrance.

The combination of light zinc walls, rendered concrete and weathering timber contrast well, and are used predominantly throughout the house.

Photos from: http://www.digsdigs.com/unique-house-with-private-garden-in-modern-style-by-arkhefield/

My Balaam House Drawings

Exemplar House Analytical Diagrams

Initial Exemplar Houses

My other initial exemplar houses were the Brookes Street House, by James Russell Architects, and the Great Bamboo Wall House by Kengo Kuma

Brookes Street House - James Russell Architects

IN THE ARCHITECTS WORDS "Nestled between two 19th century state heritage-listed buildings in Fortitude Valley, the Brookes Street house is a modern, raw, cubby-like home for a family of four. Whilst high density development was permitted under the planning scheme, it was decided that a small-scale proposal that enhanced the experience of the listed buildings was more appropriate. A major challenge in constructing the project was to create a secure and green inner sanctum amdist the chaos of 2 major arterial roads that feed the city of Brisbane. The site was initially a piece of carparking space, wedged between the listed buildings. The site's total width is a narrow 5.6 metres. The building is set back over 16m to create entry across a forecourt. This unites the listed buildings, the office in front of the church and our home and office. The entrance to the home is subtle: once through the threshold, one enters a private and secure world. The layout consists of two pavillions across a grass court. The court is the heart of the house and the draw for light and ventilation. From the first of the two pavillions, there is a relationship with the street to the south west and grass court to the north east. This pavillion houses the living/kitchen space at court level together with a mezzanine bed over. Across the court is the children's playroom rolling onto the court and two bedrooms over." -James Russell

Bamboo Wall House - Kengo Kuma

Kengo Kuma's bamboo Wall in the countryside near Beijing is breathtaking. It manages to express the perfect synthesis between architecture and the land, between human intervention and the work of nature, with rare poetry.

It is a statement of feeling, of very great and very delicate sensitivity. It is a building that listens to the land around it, and this is the source of its beauty. The project is part of a wider-ranging programme implemented in 2002 with the participation of 10 Asia's best-known architects - including Yung-Ho Chang, Shigeru Ban and Gary Chang - for construction of ten villas each, creating a commune of one hundred dwellings in a forest adjacent to the Great Wall of China.

References:

http://travelwithfrankgehry.blogspot.com/2009/12/great-bamboo-wall-by-kengo-kuma.html

Australian Institute of Architects,

http://www.architecture.com.au/awards_search?option=showaward&entryno=20064145