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Matt Williams Architect NSW Registered Arch 8645 0410 232 939 www.mw-arch.com.au Monday, 26 March 2013 T&T House, 33 Bulimba Street, Bulimba File note: Design Commentary, Architecture Scheme Option 1: ‘Pavilions’.
A
Design Concept Outline
This scheme is a ‘Pavilions’ scheme, integrating with a series of disaggregated house ‘blocks’ with sequential and separate outdoor garden and play areas. The Pavilions provide for zoning of the various functions of the House, and interweaves the outside with the inside. Operable walls allow for whole sections of wall to be lifted or pulled away, and enhance the feeling of connection with the garden and outdoors spaces. Living spaces are surrounded by water, with views over to lush garden spaces. This encourages relaxed, casual interaction with the outside. It might be possible to jump in for a swim from the kitchen after breakfast, or watch the kids swimming while relaxing with guests in the formal lounge. All living spaces face north and the separation of pavilions allows for sun to enter at various times throughout the day. Bedrooms are provided northern frontage with views down to the pool, garden spaces below and district views beyond. Roof sections over the lower floor are put to good use as entertaining areas and private outdoor garden spaces for quiet reflection.
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B
Design Features
‘Pavilions’ The pavilions provide discreet activity zones for the various functions of the house. These provide at once for privacy and separation, but strong visual connectivity between the various spaces. The pavilions also greatly diminish areas required for corridor space, allowing for grouping of functions by ‘block’. Connectors between each pavilion at the ground floor could be external and not enclosed.
Pool A large format, special and unique pool is proposed that surrounds the living spaces and interweaves with three of the four ground floor pavilions. This provides for passive surveillance of the pool and casual interaction, is inviting and encourages usage, cools outside air as it moves about the house, and provides for tranquil views and a rested feeling from within. At night the pool will sparkle and provide mystery and reflection.
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Gardens Gardens are divided into deep, lush and tall to the south and east, for a lush garden backdrop to views from the house, and more moderate mid-level but still lush plantings to the north, providing privacy and a leafy outlook while allowing solar access. Flexible, Foldaway or Lift-away Walls Allows the house to open up to outside and to ‘breathe’. Provides a dynamic and changeable feeling to the interior. Can be adjusted based on the mood or the weather.
‘Hearth’ Space A fire and integrated seating pit, connecting with the outdoor spaces provides a chance for warmth and gathering outside and connection with nature. There might be a few options of where this is best placed within the overall format of this concept option.
Grassy spaces Outdoor play areas to the northern east section of the block are ideally positioned to take northern sun, and are large enough for a game of cricket or footy, provide good solar access for vegetables, and are able to be visually monitored in full from most spaces within the house.
Passive Design Spaces are able to be opened up typically on each side, allowing for a good cross flow of breezes and rapid air exchange rates in good weather conditions. Good solar access is also provided and can reach deep into the floor plan at different times of the day. The main formal living space is proposed to have automated shutters within a glazed roof system, allowing for solar control and complete solar access in good weather conditions. Thermal mass for cooling effects is provided by locating solid wall sections (which can be constructed from high mass materials such as concrete or stone) will be protected from incident solar heat and hence radiate ‘coolth’ through the day.
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‘Floating’ Bedroom Block Enhanced by its proposed materiality, the bedroom block ‘floats’ over the family and activity spaces at the ground floor. It is a slightly ephemeral and elegant shape that disimbues its mass by transparency and light, careful detailing. It looks connected with the sky.
Activated Roof Terraces Roof spaces covering parts of the lower floor, are given purpose within the function of the house, as casual and private breakout and garden spaces, or as public entertaining decks with full city views. These decks face north and are each accessible from the different parts of the bedroom wing; as such they can be dedicated to parents, kids or both. These ‘secret’ spaces will add to the enjoyment of the outside and provide further connection with views and district and city vistas available from this site.
Basement A basement is provided to ensure that maximum site area is retained for the House, however levels are carefully controlled to avoid structural retention and (hopefully) very little sub soil drainage or pumping of stormwater in a storm event. This would be least cost design for the basement but provide equivalent utility to a fully submerged option. As a consequence of the levels, the house ‘floats’ slightly to the road frontage site level and to the north frontage. The south is provided with large open undercroft spaces that will allow for the spreading and generation of landscape canopy. Cross sections through the house are provided below and give an indication of this intent.
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C
Floor Plans
Basement
Ground Floor
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C
Floor Plans
Upper
Roof
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D
Sections
Section A - A
Section B - B
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E
3D
Axonometric View from North West
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E
3D
Perspective of Formal Living, Pool and Recreational Block
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F
Zoning Part 1 – Ground Floor Zone 1: ‘Public’ This zone includes the public functions of the house – those regularly shared with visitors and friends. It includes the Guest Bedroom, Robe and Ensuite, Man Cave and Study. Being situated near the street allows for easy access by guests without entering the private family zones. The ‘man cave’ and its servery bar, can also double as a living space and kitchen for the comfort of longer-term guests. The study is afforded views to the pool and other family activity zones, but is separate enough to allow for repose and concentration. The Man Cave can also be used as a break out from the Study.
Zone 2: ’Family’ This zone incorporates Kitchen, casual Eating, informal Living, Dry Larder, and a small Store for pool and garden equipment. It is the heart space of the home and is provided good views to all activity spaces at the ground floor. A long seating bench and floating, central kitchen bench allow a range of seating and eating options, to encourage casual family interaction. A round table encourages equality amongst the family. Views to the pool provide passive surveillance of what the kids are up to or getting in and enjoying it yourself. Visitors are still provided discreet access to formal living spaces beyond. There is an option to provide voids to the floor above, and allow vertical connection to the kids play areas above. This can be investigated in a suboption of this Option 1.
Zone 3: ‘’Community’ This zone comprises the Formal Living Space & Fireplace, Formal Dining and Wine Cellar. This zone is proposed to have a glazed and automated sunblade roof assembly, providing views up as well as out. At the southern side, a bridge link connecting bedrooms is situated at the upper level, with views from this bridge link down into this Zone. Walls of the living space are proposed to lift up to provide immediate, unimpeded connection to the pool space. (Review pool fence design requirements) It is a space for entertaining guests and is the centre of activity within the home. It is afforded views to the Kitchen and informal living zone to the west, the recreation zone to the east, the pool surrounding and the open grassed play area to the north. The wine cellar is proposed as a feature joinery unit extending all of or part of the southern wall, separated from the dining only by a structurally glazed wall for temperature and humidity control.
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Zone 4: ‘Recreation’ This zone provides for Kids Play area (proposed as roofed deck space that can be enclosed if required), a ‘bulky goods’ store straight off the play area for easy clearing away of larger kids toys, laundry interconnected with the sewing / linen layout room, drying and outdoor court and stair connection to the bed wing upstairs. This wing is proposed as a flexible space, one that can be altered and added to over time to suit ongoing changes in requirements by the family. The stair is located to provide easy up and down access for the kids, without needing to traverse through more formal living spaces. Passive surveillance of this block from the kitchen and living space is possible, particularly to the kids play deck. One option for the ‘hearth’ is to locate it at the northern end of this block, providing for a transition to the backyard and connection with the earth.
Stairs and Circulation Two stairs are provided, one formal and connecting from the main Entry Foyer to the Entertaining Deck, Parents Retreat and Kids Play Area, the other from the Recreation Pavilion to the Kids Bedrooms and Kids Roof Terrace. Circulation at the lower level (red line) is direct and continuous through the floor plan, providing an efficient planning outcome in terms of built area and short travel distances. The journey to the Front Door (orange line) is more discreet than is usually expected; it builds on the ‘Secret Garden’ concept to create a sense of journey to the arrival point. Travelling through a lush, sub-tropical garden to find a unique, double height and fully glazed entry with feature stair and bridge link over, should provide a memorable arrival experience and add to this sense of mystery and discovery. Access to the Guest Zone or Study can be maintained as separate from the main house. Access to the Grassed Space from the basement is via the pathway along the northern boundary (This can be further discussed).
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Zoning Part 2: Upper Level Zone 1: Parent’s Retreat This zone includes the Master Bedroom, Walk In Robe with Layout Space, Ensuite, and Roof Balcony. This Zone is afforded views of the Brisbane City skyline. The Master Bedroom is only accessible via a Bridge Link from the main House. The Roof Balcony is provided with access from the main corridor, in the case it is being used for Entertaining. An inbuilt BBQ, sink and servery bar is provided at this level for cooking and entertaining.
Zone 2: Kids Creative Space and Bed Wing Part 1 This zone provides for a flexible multi-purpose kids space. There is the option to provide voids down to the kitchen space below that can be investigated. This kid’s space includes for rollable joinery pieces that can either sit against a wall and provide for deep desk and layout space, or be brought to the middle of the space for creative play. There is also the opportunity to integrate digital media to the space, including gaming technology, movies, touch down spaces for iPads and easy internet connectivity; it’s a ‘come and go’ space intended to integrate learning & play for the kids; coming together with each other and their friends, having casual access to media and digital resources that will improve the learning opportunity. The roof space is a place for the kids to ‘hang out’ but still be in view by mum and dad. The bedrooms forming part of this space might be for the younger kids, a little bit closer to and more accessible from the Parents Retreat. Bedrooms are provided with integrated joinery, a unique and defined entry ‘portico’ around the doorway, a window seat against the glass and a section of operable glazing allowing for good connectivity to the outside.
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Zone 3: Bed Wing Part 2 and Private Play roof terrace This zone provides for more private bedrooms, and access to a relatively private roof terrace. This is a place for private reflection and repose. This zone is accessible via a bridge link that traverses through the double height formal living wing below, which includes a seat for casual gathering and visual interaction with the spaces below.
Roof Terraces Roof terraces provide for additional outdoor area and directly accessible from rooms at the upper level. All of the roof terraces are oriented north and will receive solar access throughout the day. Views from one terrace to another and down between the pavilions will provide for an interesting, and diverse outlook. District views are available from each of the roof terraces. The westernmost roof (over the Man Cave and Study on Ground Floor) takes in the City view to the south west. As such, it is dual purpose, allowing for private use from the Parent’s Retreat, and with direct entry from the corridor, access by Guests attending to an event. For this latter purpose it is equipped with a BBQ, servery and sink. It is hopes that the roofs will be a mix of hard and soft scape zones; meaning they will be hard paved with planted areas. This will have the effect of further linking the garden and outside space with the house. Tanking and membrane systems will be employed to ensure there is easy and efficient drainage, as well as prevent leaks to the level below.
Circulation The main corridor is single loaded allowing bedrooms to face north, however this corridor is lined on the southern side with joinery units for storage. Access to the each roof terrace is possible from the main circulation corridor. The Parent Retreat is provided extra privacy by being accessible only via bridge link through a double height space; however it is provided direct views to the Kids Play area and Main Entry. A stair at each end of the corridor provides for ease of acccess vertically through the house and improves privacy of formal living spaces on the ground floor.
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G
Response to Planning Controls
House Code This Design Scheme 01 is generally compliant with the House Code in terms of bulk, mass, height and setback requirements, therefore generally it is an ‘as of right Proposal. There is an expected exceedance of the 8.5 metre height limit to actual height of 9 or 9.5 metres, however as discussed this is typical for newer houses in the surrounding locale. There is some thought to be invested in the approach to ‘Streetscape Character’ as is commented on in the next Section. Demolition Control Precinct & Residential ‘Character’ Zoning The Residential Design - Character Code references design elements such as ‘verandah and deck spaces’, ‘light and shade’, ‘3 dimensional effect’, ‘roof forms’ and ‘columns supporting an elevated mass’. The design assumes a slightly progressive interpretation of the requirements will need to be made as part of the Development approval submission, and as such arguments and design contingency plans will need to be carefully considered in the lead-up to lodgement.
One issue that might be an opportunity it the articulation of the house to the immediate south of the project site. The roof is quite recessive and the eave and gutter strike quite a strong, horizontal line (as per notation at right). Working with the articulation, modulation and composition of this quite lovely House and interpreting it to the proposed design street elevation, might provide some clues as to a way forward that is sensitive to the intent of the Character Zoning.
The image below is of a Richard Nuetra house and provides for modulation, screening and stepped roof profiles being sensitive to the streetscape. While this is image is not shown as a design proposal for this Project, it does serve to demonstrate how the front façade can be articulated to meet the intent of the Character Code in not a literal way but a way in which the design merit of an alternative scheme can still achieve Council’s vision but in an alternative way.
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H
Response to Environment Conditions
Site Environmental Plan
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Breezes As per prior Analysis, it was found that: Desirable prevailing breezes at the site are from the north east. Warm summer winds are from the east and south east. Cold winter winds are from the west. The site is generally oriented east / west, with excellent northern frontage and an enlarged component of site in the north east corner. In aligning the ground floor ‘pavilions’ in a north south direction, in the general situation prevailing breezes can easily move between the built components as well as through the various living spaces when these are open. Design for flexibility in the way wall sections can open and close, will provide for control of privacy and breezes passing through internal spaces. In being single sided the bed wing on the upper floor will allow for good cross ventilation when windows are opened.
Solar Generally living spaces face north so as to receive good solar access throughout the day. In summer, the sun rises south of east, passes by North at Midday at 4 degree inclination from vertical, and sets to the south of west. In winter, the sun rises to the north of east, passes North at midday at inclination 46 degrees inclination from vertical, and sets north of west.
Winter Sun
direct solar access from the north. The pavilion configuration also allows for solar access from the morning to the afternoon to the various living spaces. Living spaces at the ground floor are located along the northern frontage of the building and service areas are located to the south. At the upper level, all bedrooms are provided access to northern light. Screening will be proposed for the western façade; aside from providing shade and sun protection to spaces facing west, this will have the double effect of demonstrating intent to comply with the principles of the ‘Demolition Control Precinct’ planning regime as per notes above. Living spaces at the ground floor are generally internal to the block and hence provided solar protection from the western sun, by the adjacent and westward block.
Summer Sun
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Thermal The pool provides a large cool sink that can release through evaporative cooling effect, cooling local breezes.
Walls are provided with mass where they are away from incident solar heat. In this way, they release heat to the outside at night, and are slow to heat up through the day, effectively releasing ‘coolth’ through the day.
Where walls face heat load, these are provided with high performance energy efficient glazing, timber battens which provide shade. Walls in these locations can also open up completely to provide full effect of the pool’s evaporative cooling capacity to interior spaces.
An innovative proposition of this design is to include a glazed roof to the living space; integrating temperature controlled HVAC systems with automated sunblades and double skin glazing should allow for solar access deep into the space & views to the sky, while maintaining a comfortable internal environment. In winter, this design composition can work to passively and comfortably heat the forma living space. Again this glazed roof is provided protection in the hotter summer months from the western sun by the bed wing block.
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I
Materiality
External Lower Floor: Wall Type 1:
Composite hardwood natural finish timber battens, and glazed partition walls. Some of these walls are operable and can be either lifted or slid away. These walls typically face north and east.
Wall Type 2:
Concrete or Block Walls clad in dry stone wall lining to external faces. This provides the thermal mass effect described about, and a lovely, earthy connection of the scheme to the garden and ground.
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Wall Type 3:
Open timber battened wall sections. Similar profile to battened walls described above, but open behind providing for screening but allowing for breezes and acoustic connectivity.
Upper Floor Wall type 1:
Operable, performance glazing in a unitised assembly, face fixed to give frameless appearance. This wall type is similar for commercial buildings and will allow for excellent thermal and acoustic performance whilst maintaining maximum views and daylight access. Clear or low tint glazing, blue tint.
Wall type 2:
Zinc cladding on lightweight subframe. This material integrates well with the appearance of the proposed glazing system, it can be folded and modularised in a pattern to match the glazing and give the upper floor a sleek, contemporary appearance.
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Roofs & Soffits (Images to be provided) Roof Type 1:
Landscaped, hardscape garden and paving roofs, with glazed balustrades.
Roof Type 2:
Flat roof, rolled membrane with welded seams and river rock ballast. This provides for good drainage, visual inspection of the membrane and drainage points, and a barrier for heat loads on the roof. It also provides an easily accessible location for air conditioning plant, secreted behind roof parapet upstands.
Soffits:
Typically painted FC with expressed joints and concealed fixings.
Fascias:
Flat plate stainless steel, to provide a crisp, bright appearance.
Internal Lower Floor (Images to be provided) Floor type 1
Terrazzo or Reconstituted stone tile throughout
Floor type 2
Large format hardwood timber flooring and decking
Walls:
Generally painted plasterboard, some sections of expressed dry stone wall (eg around Chimney and behind Cellar racks)
Joinery:
Typically full height joinery panel doors, secret hinged, rebated handles. Timber veneer finish, pine or oak.
Kitchen and Bathrooms to be developed, however intent is for clean, natural stone benchtops, timber feature finishes, stainless steel or white enamel fixtures and fittings.
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