studley park Boathouse
Concept “Translating the open-close relationship of the site into architecture� The natural contrast of the open and enclosed experience is noticeable on the site by the gradient of the slope. The steeper slope with more trees translates to a more enclosed experience by the nature. The flatter slope tranlates into a more space. Hence, the concept of this design is to express this particular experience of the site into the boathouse design.
site plan Legend ground
trees
water
road
Conceptual diagram
Diagram shows the exploration of movement from enclosed to open areas which is translated into the design.
Scale 1:500 N
Generated by CamScanner from intsig.com
0
10
20m
circulation
floor plans
Movement and circulation from the entrance to the hallway are more compact and directed through the narrower corridor. As customers move towards the restaurant, cafe and the deck, the movement becomes less restricted and more free.
b
hierarchy
c b
d
The enclosed area projects more enclosed experience which is especially emphasized through the corridor with no openings. As customers move along , there would be eventual openings projecting semi-enclosed spaces acting as a transition to the entirely open space, which is the deck.
c d
3 1
8
2
6
closed
7 opened
views
A
Restaurant in ground floor is directed towards the view of the river while the cafe in first floor has windows in both directions facing the slope and the river for the views.
A c c b d b
4
5
d
9
Scale 1:200 N
0
4
N
8m
Corridor office boat storage & counter restaurant
0
4
8m A
ground floor plan 1. 2. 3. 4.
Scale 1:200
A
5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
kitchen kiosk toilets deck cafe
first floor plan
parti
balance Balance is achieved by both the open and enclosed spaces
elevations
Scale 1:200 0
4
8m
Scale 1:200 0
Open space - Deck
4
Scale 1:200 east elevation
west elevation
0
4
north east elevation
8m
Scale 1:200 0
4
north elevation
8m
8m
view of DECK TOWARDS THE DOOR
view of DECK FROM THE DOOR
entrance to the boathouse
sections
Scale 1:200 0
4
8m
section a-a
4
8m
corridor - openings that allow light and views of the outside
0
4
8m
section b-b
Scale 1:200
Scale 1:200 0
Scale 1:200
section c-c
0
4
8m
cafe - focusing on the view of the slope and trees
section d-d
boat storage for storing boats AND CANOES
DESIGN ANALYSIS - PRINCIPLES OF ALVAR AALTO
In my design, I followed the principles of Alvar Aalto first by establishing a concept that is related to the nature of the site. As Aalto is very sensitive towards the surrounding and nature, I incorporated the experience that is felt on the site into architecture. My design incorporates the slope and contour of the site. Therefore, it sits on the slope and is terraced to maintain its natural contours. The material that is used is vertical timber cladding for its façade to reflect nature. Besides that, it is not arranged in order to mimic the arrangement of trees which is random. This is similar to Villa Mairea where Aalto used vertical bamboo sticks for the stairs to reflect nature. As Aalto often emphasizes transition of space such as in Saynatsalo Town Hall, where there is a transition of closed and opened space through intermediate space, I incorporated it in my design. My design starts off with enclosed space from the entrance and it eventually becomes opened as people move through it. The transition of space is done through the eventual openings which act as semi-opened spaces. The views also emphasizes the setting of the boathouse at the riverside and the slope. In Saynatsalo Town Hall, Aalto has windows and openings which faces the directions of the forests to emphasize nature. In my design, I did the same where the restaurant faces the river so that it can be seen. Meanwhile, the cafÊ faces the opposite side so that it is close to the steeper slope and the view of the denser trees can be seen. In both Villa Mairea and Saynatsalo Town Hall, Aalto has courtyards surrounded by the buildings. I did the same in my design where as people move through the space, they would reach the deck which is the courtyard. The open space is defined by the enclosed space and this also emphasises the transition of space as people move through it.