AR11012 - HABITAT KENMORE VILLA - PROJECT DESIGN REPORT PATRICK DAVIES
M.Arch Level 1 : AR11012
Architecture Studio 1.2:
Habitat Credit Rating
20 credits
Tutors
Cameron Wilson Jim Robertson Brian Adams Ruth Lonsdale Richard White
Curriculum “the house…is one of the greatest powers of integration for the thoughts, memories and dreams of mankind.” “The Poetics of Space,” Gaston Bachelard Following the previous introductory exercises in which new students examine some known conditions, in Architecture Studio 1.2 students are given a design project to develop. The programme proposed is to design a villa – a “Habitat”. By using a private residence it allows new students to engage with a building type which is known and to some extent familiar. The aim of this project is to design a Habitat not only for shelter but one which embraces the above concept and creates a place for enjoyment and stimulus. It must also establish a clear relationship and response between that which is being created and that of the context. The solution should demonstrate how students have responded to the site, the inhabitants and their requirements, the concept, the strategy, the relationships of spaces and volumes, the form and the techniques used (technical and spatial). The exercises will develop analysis skills and develop drawing and modelling skills and introduce issues relating to the formation and articulation of architectural space. The project will also provide the opportunity to conceptualise, investigate and develop the design incorporating expression of purpose, structure and material. By the end of semester 1 students will have completed a design project from conception to final presentation submission.
SITE ANALYSIS
LOCATION PLAN
LONG SECTION THROUGH THE SITE
This
shows the larger section of the loch and and town. It appears to be an
island when looked at in this way.
The site is in a way protected as it is not on a side where it is faced with the current of the Tay flowing out of the loch. From the opposite side of the loch, one can perceive how important height is to the buildings which stack up ascending toward the church. It
is evident from the map opposite and the photos below, that the site
encroaches onto the lake be a considerable amount.
This factor leaves the Summer, there will be more direct the sky and in winter, the sun will be for a few hours each day. In Summer,
space exposed to the climate of the area. In
The
sunlight on the site from higher in
from the
lower, only creeping over the hills
there will be more direct sunlight on the site from higher in the sky and in winter, the sun will be lower, only creeping over the hills for a few hours each day.
wind direction is another important consideration.
West-South-West. This
It
blows generally
is because of the direction of the lake.
However, in certain cases like the site visit, the wind can come from the north west, making the entire site feel colder. The trees to the west of the site before it jut out play a part in shielding this part of the site from the harsh winds from across the lake.
VIEWS OF THE SITE FROM AROUND THE LOCH
SITE ANALYSIS: VIEWS
1 - CHURCH FOCAL POINT
5 - EAST VISTAS OF LAKE
MAP SHOWING VIEWS
2 - BEACH VISTA
4 - CRANNOG
3 - ISLAND
SITE ANALYSIS: TOWNSCAPE
SITE SECTION
The
The village is built mainly The highest point in the village is the church. The rest of the buildings descend gradually towards the water. Many of the buildings have tvery high pitched roofs. This prevents snow build up and the collapse of the building during the winter months. Many of the buildings are very old though have recently been restored. These include The Inn and village of
Kenmore
is incredibly picturesque.
around the main road and town square.
ROOF DETAIL
“The Orphanage”. They have a crisp white render which is black features. Other buildings leave their stone exposed. The
STONE DETAIL STUDY
contrasted with
site sits among other residences along a street which runs parallel to
the edge of the lake. It is a significantly larger plot than those of the rest
A feature
which is recurring in the village is its heavy stone walls which are
topped by vertical pieces of slate.
This forms a pattern in which the slate size
varies, producing a rough, robust appearance.
of the town.
THE INN
“THE ORPHANAGE”
SITE ANALYSIS: ACCESS This is the approach to the site from the South road and then West along the lake shore. It is open to the side of the lake and has houses along the opposite side. This establishes the street as residential.
MAP SHOWING ACCESS
EAST APPROACH
WEST APPROACH
ARRIVAL ON SITE
This is the approach to the site from the North. It takes a route through the wooded side of the lake. The site is not visible until one arrives at it. This route is narrow and enclosed with no footpath, making it slightly hazardous.
SITE ANALYSIS: HISTORY
VIEW OF THE CRANNOG FROM SITE
The Crannogs were dwellings of the richer members of society thousands of years ago. Their buildings have remained preserved under the water for this long because of the quality of the water of the loch. They are constructed using rings of timber posts to support the weight of the walls, floor, roof
and inhabitants.
By
building on the water, they were able to avoid problems
like rot from building timber on soil. using thatch.
from the fire.
The
huts were covered and insulated
This also helped to ventilate the dwelling when there was smoke This is key to understanding the history of the area and the Tay
which would have been used for transportation and exchange of goods. spaces were also incredibly social in their openness and layout.
DETAILS OF THE CRANNOG
These
BRIEF Tom was up until recently a pilot. An accident left him unable to continue and he was therefore compensated generously by his company. With the money, Tom decided that he should buy a plot of land in the small village of Kenmore where a house could be built for him and his family. This will also serve to attempt to bridge the gap between members of the family, who are becoming distant to one another. This house must reunite them. He likes to be outdoors. This is part of the reason why he wanted to relocate here. This house must embrace the outdoors. He enjoys activities like fishing. This is something in which he could involve his son. The house must have private spaces for Tom and his private activities in which he partakes with a number of others. It must also include somewhere to store motor bikes and other vehicles.
TOM
Angelina
is the wife of
Tom. She
Kenmore. She is a very sociable lady who likes to throw sophisticated dinner parties. She She also feels distant to her husband, Tom. She hopes that this move will bring them closer
has most reservations about relocating to
loves to be in the kitchen and to still be able to interact with her guests. together.
Another of her needs for the house is a multimedia room where she can play video-games and also bond with her son. The two are quite close and have spent a lot of time together in the absence of Tom.
ANGIE
George
is a school pupil who enjoys movies, games, music and also baking.
George is excited about the move to Kenmore. He looks forward to meeting new friends in He is not particularly interested in the outdoors and would generally rather stay in the house in the kitchen. He and his mother spend lots of time there together. A new house must meet the demands of a fun, sociable and functioning kitchen. He also enjoys playing piano, so the new house must have somewhere to practice. George is also passionate about the views of the loch and would appreciate one from his bedroom. the village.
GEORGE
PRECEDENT
ALVAR AALTO - VILLA MAIREA 1939 - NOORMARKKU, FINLAND
An ‘L’
PIERRE KOENIG - STAHL HOUSE 1960 - LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
This
shaped house, it uses its structure to separate the programme into
formal and less formal areas.
The dining room and official areas are at the North side of the house and more frequently used spaces are South, providing them with light during the day. The entrance way acts as a mediator between these areas. The house makes use of overhangs and differences in height to create intimate spaces such as the meditation space away from, but still part of the house. Upstairs, the strategy was to employ a single, long corridor from which the rooms branch. The are also terraces created thanks to overhang and deviation from the main corridor.
NORD - THE STONE HOUSE 2010 - INVERNESS, SCOTLAND
house makes use of its locally sourced materials in order to create a
façade that is impressive and sits well within its local environment.
Another ‘L’ Shaped
house,
Stahl House demands that the visitor takes the route around the house before entering. The crossing of the L is then what separates the house between its public and private functions. The house uses features like work stations and furniture in order to divide space in the open part of it. Along a west facing wall, full height glass windows lead the visitor through the space of the kitchen to the living space beyond.
The solid appearance gives the impression of permanence and immovability which ought to be comforting for residential buildings. This particular house is split into 4 residential properties. The house is raised to one side up to a massive picture window which allows a great amount of light back down into the building. Despite its harsh appearance, the building is also very well in touch with the outdoors. The rooms are arranged around a courtyard which maximises light intake whilst maintaining privacy. The upper floor also makes use of the outside with its inclusion of a roof terrace.
PROCESS
1 Shows
the space over the gallery
2&3 Keeping the ceiling top-lighting 4
The
height of the kitchen allows for creation of
VIEW FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE STAIRS
The
ground floor needed more connection with the upper floor.
I
move an entrance to the north of the house to mirror the south.
decided to
I
moved my
upstairs bedrooms out to create a protective overhand from the harsh weather of the loch. In the rearrangement, there cam to opportunity to make greater
upstairs corridor comes up to meet the view of the church
5 By moving this space down, one can create a level between two floors which can be used as a gallery or library
the
use of the gallery space by extending it.
a result.
I
became longer and more usable as
VIEW FROM THE GALLERY
Sketch of the house’s façade to the South, showing the effect created by the rotation of the downstairs rooms. The outside area under the building is sheltered, allowing for easier access in the harsh climate around the loch. Upstairs, terraced areas are created in the sheltered area, allowing enjoyment outside when the weather allows.
VIEW DOWN FROM THE LANDING
PROCESS
PLAN DESIGN
With
my volumetric,
I
decided to separate the garage from the house, thus
discouraging use of the space on colder days.
After a positive response to the I might create more drama with my building and exploit the advantages it was presenting. By keeping the upper floors at a right angle, but rotating the bottom slightly anticlockwise, new spaces are created. Sheltered space on the west side where the wind would blow the rain into. On the upper floor, there’s space for a terrace on top of the living room and kitchen. layout of the main public spaces,
I
was also advised that
VOLUMETRIC MODEL 1:100
SECTION DESIGN
Here I
have started to plan the positions of buildings and windows based
on findings from the circulation and sketch models.
I
decided to use long
windows to encourage movement from the inhabitants through the space.
I
have proposed also some feature windows, like one which points upwards to take advantage of the church view and one from the
East in the entrance way,
By taking the walls out, I was able to see the skeleton of the house and some idea of a structure. The best circulation is shown by the black string.
so that there is a lot of morning sunlight for the entrance.
DEVELOPMENT MODEL 1:100
STRUCTURAL MODEL 1:100
FINAL DRAWINGS
PARTI
CIRCULATION FORMAL
GROUND FLOOR PLAN
CENTRAL
FAMILY/INFORMAL
1ST FLOOR PLAN
ROOF PLAN
FINAL DRAWINGS
CROSS SECTION
LONG SECTION
LONG SECTION
LIGHT STUDIES OF FINAL MODEL
FINAL DRAWINGS
3D OF THE WINDOWS
3D OF THE INTERIOR
The Aalto influenced windows make the views of Kenmore even more special. The outside of the upstairs south wing is clad in a lighter substance than the solid appearance of the stone clad below. This helps differentiate the floors whilst re-establishing the nature of things 3D drawing of the gallery and entrance from above on the top landing. The impression of the space is impressive. It also serves a purpose in that it separates between the entertaining space and the bedrooms.
NORTH ELEVATION
SOUTH ELEVATION
FINAL DRAWINGS
3D DRAWINF OF THE EXTERIOR
VIEW TO THE SOUTH
This starts to make clear the opportunities of rotating the lower floors. New sheltered space is created. The
floor of the bedroom also overhangs.
This
The
long window between the kitchen and living room allows for a large
creates a narrower passage
down which to walk and explore the house’s unusual angles.
amount of light to flood the space and carry on into the hallway. Its other uses are that it leads a guest through to the living room and frames the view of the
Hills
and
The Crannog
on the other side of the
Loch.
MODEL MONTAGE IN CONTEXT