A Place to Live, Work, Play by Luen Samonte

NEW DIRECTIONS FOR THE AUSTRALIAN DREAM A PLACE TO LIVE, WORK, PLAY

3332630 LUEN RIA TUMBALI SAMONTE STUDIO LEADERS - ROB BROWN & CARLY MARTIN

CONTENTS

DESIGN BRIEF

CULTURAL & SOCIAL CONDITIONS

SCHEDULE OF SPACES

CLIMATIC CONDITIONS

MATERIALITY & CONSTRUCTION

PRECEDENT STUDIES

DESIGN PROCESS

RESOLVED DESIGN

REFERENCES

WORK

HOM E

MILY FA

Collective - Individual Activities

DESIGN BRIEF

Faced with the reality that low density suburbs are where most Australians live and will continue to live in the future, the brief is to design a case study house that responds to specific current and projected social, cultural and economic needs of suburbanites in a selected Australian climatic zone.

Apart from responding to the recent push to create models of an affordable house by maximising the efficiency of space and attending to the means of construction and ease of duplication, this project also considers the notion of an “affordable home.”

AN AFFORDABLE ‘HOME’ RATHER THAN A HOUSE -

The whole notion of affordability usually applies to the idea of an affordable house, but what if we look at it from the perspective of a home rather than a house? “What vision of life and happiness should an affordable home be proposing?”1 What is a home? A home is where a myriad of activities happen. Where activities flex between the collective to the individual. Where an individual’s activity affects the collective - and the collective, the individual alike. A home is filled with activities that foster interdependency. A home is defined by the connection between activities and people rather than walls, a roof and a floor. 5

CULTURAL & SOCIAL CONDITIONS

WHO AM I BUILDING FOR?

Considering these population growth facts, the case study house proposed in this project addresses the social, cultural and economic needs of a multigenerational migrant family of six.

NTS RE A P

GRA N

Australia’s population growth has grown more than 50% since 1984, from 15 million people to 23 million in three decades.2 Research shows that our population growth peaks at 1.8% per year with two thirds of this coming from migration alone.3

Father - migrated to Australia before the family, employed, runs a business from home

•

Mother - employed, runs a business from home

•

Youngest child - studying full-time and working part-time, still living with the parents and grandmother

Frequent visitors: •

•

Eldest child - employed, family with two children, have their own home but regularly visits the family, wife attends to home duties Middle child - employed, family with one child, have their own home but regularly visits the family, husband employed, child stays with great grandmother when both parents are working

HILDRE D C N N RA

•

T GRAN EA

Great grandmother - takes care of her great grandchild, runs a business from home

HILDREN DC

•

Occupants:

ER OTH M D

Relationship between the generations

CULTURAL & SOCIAL CONDITIONS

WHAT ARE THEIR NEEDS? The needs and concerns of this family revolve around accessibility and flexibility.

ENTS PAR

CHILDREN ND RA

Aging in place

Accessibility in this case refers to making the house friendly for elderly people (great grandmother) and addressing the notion of â&#x20AC;&#x153;aging in placeâ&#x20AC;? (father and mother). This means that the architecture should propose thoughtful solutions to change in levels and choice of furniture and furnishings.

HER OT

T GRAN EA

HILDREN DC

GRAN DM

Downsizing

Flexibility on the other hand is multi-faceted, taking into account downsizing (youngest child moving out) and additions (grand children visiting and staying for short amount of time with their families) as well as the balance between work, life, home and family. In essence, the house should embody the capability to contract and expand, and explore communal living whilst affording a retreat for the individual, both spatially and seasonally.

Additions

Key concerns of the multigenerational family

SCHEDULE OF SPACES

SCHEDULE OF SPACES AND THEIR RELATIONSHIPS The spaces in this case study house project respond to the activities that undulate between the collective and the individual. Below is a list of spaces to be included in the program of the house. • •

BATHROOM

integrated open and green spaces communal living space - kitchen - dining - living - work/study space

•

3 bed spaces

•

service spaces - 2 bathrooms - 2 car spaces

Allowable total floor area: 150 sqm

WORK/STUDY SPACE

BED SPACE KITCHEN

CAR SPACES

LIVING

DINING

BED SPACE BATHROOM

Relationship between spaces

BED SPACE

CLIMATIC CONDITIONS

WHERE AM I BUILDING AND WHAT DO I NEED TO CONSIDER? Whilst studies show that migrants have a significant impact on Australia’s population growth, it is also of equal importance to identify where they settle. Most recent reports from the Australian Bureau of Statistics identify that 82% of migrants settle in major urban areas.4

For the purpose of this project, the case study house locates itself in the suburbs of Western Sydney - the population of which is 37.7% born overseas in comparison to 34.2% in Greater Sydney.5 It is also the centre of future urban development with the construction of Badgerys Creek Airport,6 expansion of the South West Rail Link,7 campaign for “Fair go for the West”8 and relocation of thousands of public servant jobs to the west.9

The metropolitan Western Sydney area is part of climatic Zone 6 - mild temperate. This zone covers parts of greater Sydney and Melbourne where majority of migrants locate themselves. Responding to localities in the mild temperate climatic zone the design of the case study house must take into account:

Western Sydney Area

•

day-night temperature range - low near the coast + high inland;

•

four distinct seasons - summer + winter exceeding human comfort;

•

mild to cool winters with low humidity;

•

hot to very hot summers with moderate humidity10 9

CLIMATIC CONDITIONS

To address the characteristics of the mild temperate zone, the building materials and construction systems used should consider: •

achieving low - zero heating and cooling energy use

•

building inland mainly concerned with overheating during the summer season;

•

reduce heat gain through glazing

•

maximise cooling comfort through cross ventilation, use of shading, insulation and minimising areas of east and west facing walls

•

use of thermal mass for passive solar heating

•

maximise solar access to north-facing living spaces

•

use lightweight materials and construction when solar access is unavailable

•

optimise roof space as a thermal buffer zone to ventilate summer heat gain and retain heat in winter11

1. Zone 6 - passive solar orientation

2. Zone 6 - sun position + prevailing winds

MATERIALITY & CONSTRUCTION

WHAT DO I BUILD WITH AND HOW SHOULD I BUILD?

Given the climatic design considerations, the case study house should also push its capacity to utilise innovatively existing and emerging material technologies. Glazing + Shading Devices

3. Timber framed glazing

4. Rammed earth

•

low U-value glazing with high solar heat gain coefficient

•

use double glazing for areas with higher heating needs

•

use timber framing (natural insulator) for glazing units to maximise the thermal performance

•

use light coloured roof materials

Insulation + Thermal Mass •

bulk and reflective insulation to ceilings

•

bulk or reflective insulation to walls

•

insulate elevated concrete and lightweight floors

•

seal to prevent draughts and use entry airlocks when appropriate

•

use earth coupled slabs to maintain temperatures during summer and winter seasons such as rammed earth or concrete

Lightweight construction materials

5. Structural Insulated panels

•

timber and steel structure for walls and roofs as they rapidly respond to temperature changes

•

consider the use of structural insulated panels comprised of environmentally preferred materials

•

use cladding that have low embodied energy such as colorbond sheets, fibre cement sheet and plywood 11

PRECEDENT STUDIES

During the research and design concept stage several precedents were deconstructed to extract architectural qualities that can be explored in the design development of the proposed case study house. These precedents were sourced from the Case Study House Program in Los Angeles, the architect-designed homes movement in Australia and the Habitat for Humanity organisation. Below lists the houses deconstructed and the following pages document some of the qualities explored in the design development stage. a.

Greenbelt House by Ralph Rapson

Pavilion House by Ken Woolley

ecoMOD4 by Univeristy of Virginia and Habitat for Humanity

Loggia House by Whitney Smith

Omega House by Richard Nuetra

GREENBELT HOUSE SENSE OF ARRIVAL + TRANSITION

GREENBELT HOUSE

INFILL PANEL SYSTEM FOR EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR

PAVILION HOUSE SHIFTING THE GRID SYSTEM

PAVILION HOUSE

CIRCULATION CORRIDOR + FINGERS

ecoMOD4 EXTENDING THE ROOM

ecoMOD4

EXTENDING THE ROOM

b 18

LOGGIA HOUSE DISSOLVING WALLS + FLOATING SPACES

H EUH SOD I

OMEGA HOUSE

DISSOLVING WALLS

OMEGA HOUSE COURT FUNCTIONS

DESIGN PROCESS

Exploring the ground plane and roofscape

This chapter documents the design process in creating the proposed case study house. Below is a list of design explorations which are documented in detail in the following pages. a.

Sequencing of activities

Spatial relationships and passive orientation

Spatial qualities

Exploration of the ground plane

Exploration of the roofscape

Landscaping

SEQUENCING OF ACTIVITIES

LAYERING OF SPACES

KITCHEN

BED SPACE

WORK/STUDY SPACE

BED SPACE

Plan

Plan LIVING

BED SPACE

Section

Section DINING

CAR SPACES

OPEN/GREEN SPACES BATHROOM

Plan

BATHROOM

Section

SEQUENCING OF ACTIVITIES

CLUSTERING OF SPACES

KITCHEN

LIVING

WORK/STUDY SPACE

DINING

Collective OPEN/GREEN SPACES

CAR SPACES

BATHROOM

BED SPACE

Individual

COLLECTIVE TRANSITION

BATHROOM

BED SPACE

INDIVIDUAL GREEN/OPEN SPACES

Individual

SPATIAL RELATIONSHIPS + ORIENTATION MAPPING SPACES

SPATIAL RELATIONSHIPS + ORIENTATION

MAPPING SPACES

SPATIAL RELATIONSHIPS + ORIENTATION

RESOLVED MAPPING

Collective BATHROOM

Individual BED SPACE

WORK/STUDY SPACE

BED SPACE

KITCHEN

CAR SPACES

LIVING

DINING

Individual

BED SPACE BATHROOM

SPATIAL QUALITIES

ABILITY TO RECONFIGURE

Flexibility to moveable walls

Exploring prospect and refuge

SPATIAL QUALITIES

ACTIVITY FOCUSED

Activities in one room

Positioning the place of eating and conversation as the heart of the home

EXPLORATION OF THE GROUND PLANE

ELEVATING THE KITCHEN

Sectional explorations

EXPLORATION OF THE GROUND PLANE

PLANES OF ACTIVITY

Activities - collective

Layering activities

EXPLORATION OF THE GROUND PLANE

PART MODELS

Transition to the kitchen + dining - the highest plane

EXPLORATION OF THE ROOFSCAPE

PART MODELS

Placing emphasis on the kitchen + dining

EXPLORATION OF THE ROOFSCAPE

OVERLAPPING + FLOATING ROOF PLANES

Flat roofs

Stepping flat roofs

Stepping sloping roofs

Stepping flat + sloping roofs

LANDSCAPING

COURT FUNCTIONS

edible garden

social court

drying court

entrance court

RESOLVED DESIGN

PLAN 1

2 3000

3 3000

4 3000

5 3000

6 1000

7 3000

8 3000

4000

2000

B C 3000

D 3000

3000

F COLLECTIVE TRANSITION INDIVIDUAL

RESOLVED DESIGN

PLAN - ADDITIONAL BEDROOM 1

2 3000

3 3000

4 3000

5 3000

6 1000

7 3000

8 3000

4000

2000

B C 3000

D 3000

3000

COLLECTIVE TRANSITION

INDIVIDUAL

RESOLVED DESIGN

PLAN - SPLIT STUDY SPACES 1

2 3000

3 3000

4 3000

5 3000

6 1000

7 3000

8 3000

4000

2000

B C 3000

D 3000

3000

F COLLECTIVE TRANSITION INDIVIDUAL

RESOLVED DESIGN

PLAN - INDEPENDENT WING 1

2 3000

3 3000

4 3000

5 3000

6 1000

7 3000

8 3000

4000

2000

B C 3000

D 3000

3000

COLLECTIVE TRANSITION

INDIVIDUAL

RESOLVED DESIGN

SECTIONS AA + BB

Section AA

COLLECTIVE TRANSITION

Section BB

INDIVIDUAL

RESOLVED DESIGN SECTION CC

COLLECTIVE TRANSITION INDIVIDUAL

RESOLVED DESIGN

SECTION DD - CONSTRUCTION

01 02

Suspended plasterboard ceiling

Steel structural framework inÀlled with SIP panel system with plasterboard interior Ànish and colorbond panels exterior Ànish

Polished concrete slab on grade

Corrugated iron roof attached to steel beams and C channels insulation to the underside of channels

Steel plate pop out window bay cladded with dressed timber

RESOLVED DESIGN BACKYARD

RESOLVED DESIGN

NORTH + SOUTH ELEVATIONS

North Elevation

South Elevation

RESOLVED DESIGN

EAST + WEST ELEVATIONS

East Elevation

West Elevation

RESOLVED DESIGN

INTERIOR PERSPECTIVES

Entry corridor

Entrance

Kitchen

Backyard

REFERENCES

1 The Perfect Home, Online Video TV Mini-series, directed by Neil Crombie (2006; London: Seneca Productions, 2006). 2 McCrindle Research, “Big Australia,” McCrindle Research, http:// www.mccrindle.com.au/BlogRetrieve. aspx?PostID=363632&A=SearchResult&SearchID=7143261&ObjectID=363632&ObjectType=55 (accessed 29 March 2014).

3 McCrindle Research, “Skilled Migrant Increase: Aussies Too Posh for Menial Work,” McCrindle Research, http://www.mccrindle.com.au/BlogRetrieve. aspx?PostID=361670&A=SearchResult&SearchID=7143261&ObjectID=361670&ObjectType=55 (accessed 29 March 2014).

1. Jessica Gottlieb, Patrick Gilling and Wade Cogle, “ARCH7111 New Directions for the Australian Dream” (presentation, the University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 25 March 2014). 2. Winjing Lim, Suek yi Lim and Ingrid O’Ryan, “ARCH7111 New Directions for the Australian Dream” (presentation, the University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 25 March 2014). 3. Centre for Alternative Technology, “Should I get double glazing?” Centre for Alternative Technology, http://info.cat.org.uk/sites/default/files/images/ecobuild/WISE_glazing.jpg (accessed 29 March 2014).

4 Australian Bureau of Statistics - Australian Census Analytic Program, “Australia’s Most Recent Immigrants,” Australian Bureau of Statistics, http://www.ausstats.abs.gov.au/ausstats/free. nsf/0/2C95BF6FB48F0F2BCA256ECE007C345E/$File/20530_2001.pdf (accessed 29 March 2014).

4. anArchitecture, “100% Earth House - House Rauch,” anArchitecture, http://2.bp.blogspot. com/_ScdnDt-ZTeI/SbZ_n2lW7ZI/AAAAAAAABBc/s5bJtfvVusM/s1600-h/rammed_earth_sample. jpg (accessed 29 March 2014).

5 .id The Population Experts, “WSROC Region Birthplace,” .id The Population Experts, http:// profile.id.com.au/wsroc/birthplace (accessed 29 March 2014).

5. Kingspan, “Structural Insulated Panel Systems,” Kingspan, http://www.kingspantek.co.uk/ ktek_cms/media/media.global/TEK-Cladding-product-banner.jpg (accessed 29 March 2014).

6 The Sydney Morning Herald, “Abbott confirms Badgerys Creek airport plan,” Fairfax Media, http://www.smh.com.au/national/abbott-confirms-badgerys-creek-airport-plan-2014041536p0w.html (accessed 21 April 2014).

PRECEDENT REFERENCES

7 The Sydney Morning Herald, “Badgerys Creek railway mapped out as Tony Abbott promises airport decision,” Fairfax Media, http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/badgerys-creek-railwaymapped-out-as-tony-abbott-promises-airport-decision-20140205-3211n.html (accessed 21 April 2014).

KC Modern, “Greenbelt House,” KC Modern Blog, http://kcmodern.blogspot.com. au/2009/08/case-studyhouse-no-4-greenbelt-house.html (accessed 5 March 2014).

8 The Daily Telegraph, “Daily Telegraph’s Fair Go For The West campaign ramps up in a bid to secure fairer funding for schools, hospitals, roads, parks and rail, “ News Ltd., http:// www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/daily-telegraphs-fair-go-for-the-west-campaignramps-up-in-a-bid-to-secure-fairer-funding-for-schools-hospitals-roads-parks-and-rail/storyfni0cx12-1226876442639 (accessed 21 April 2014). 9 The Daily Telegraph, “Three thousand state public servant jobs moving to the West, “ News Ltd., http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/three-thousand-state-public-servant-jobsmoving-to-the-west/story-fni0cx12-1226860692882 (accessed 21 April 2014).

IMAGE REFERENCES

Ethel Buisson and Thomas Billard, The Presence of Case Study Houses (Basel; Boston: Birkhauser, 2004).

Arts and Architecture, “Greenbelt House,” Arts and Architecture, http://www. artsandarchitecture.com/case.houses/pdf01/04.pdf (accessed 5 March 2014). Judith O’Callaghan, Designer Suburbs - Architects & Affordable Homes In Australia (University of New South Wales: NewSouth Publishing, 2012). In the mind of the architect - Episode 3 Corrugated Dream, Digital Streaming Film. Directed by Tim Clark, David Wenham and Janne Ryan. 1999: Sydney: Australian Broadcasting Corporation. David Hinson and Justin Miller, Designed for Habitat - Collaborations with Habitat for Humanity (New York: Routledge, 2012).

10 Chris Reardon & Paul Downton, “Passive Design: Design for Climate,” Australian Government: Your Home, http://www.yourhome.gov.au/sites/default/files/files/pdf/ YOURHOME-2-PassiveDesign-1-DesignForClimate-%284Dec13%29.pdf (accessed 29 March 2014).

Hugh Nagle, Laura Robles, Rena Wang and Daniel Bogaz, “ARCH7111 New Directions for the Australian Dream” (presentation, the University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 25 March 2014).

11 Ibid.

Kristina Todik, Jonathan Kim and Randy Liang, “ARCH7111 New Directions for the Australian Dream” (presentation, the University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 25 March 2014).