The Bespoke Garden Window Group Design Report

AR7022 Applied Technology in Architecture The Bespoke Window Group 10 : Temperate/Ground Floor Garden Michelle Lo Marie Magnien Dahu Mumagi Chris Powell Zimmie Sutcliffe

1

CONTENTS: 1. Introduction 1.1 Brief 1.2 Temperate Climate 1.3 Location 1.4 Orientation 1.5 Local vernacular

2. Precedents studies & Design Development 2.1 Fisher House, Louis Kahn.

2.2 First intension drawings 2.3 Studio, Peter Zumthor 2.4 Maison Louis CarrĂŠ, Alvar Aalto 2.5 Housing in Amsterdam + Sketch Models 2.6 The window as a solid piece of furniture 2.7 Final Elevations 1:20

3. Environmental Design 3.1 Bay Windows in Terraced Houses 3.2 Inhabitation and Use 3.3 Passive Design Strategies 3.4 Material Palette

4. Detailed Design 4.1 Structural Intention 4.2 Detailed Plans 1:20 4.3 Detailed Sections 1:20 4.4 Construction Details 1:5 4.5 Passive Design 4.6 Glazing Junction 4.7 Construction Sequence 4.8 Initial Components List

5. Critique 6. Acknowledgements

2

3

1.1 Brief “This year’s ATA design charette investigates the design processes, fabrication methods and sense of collaboration necessary to design a bespoke window.

The charette aims to promote a direct engagement with material properties and afford an understanding of how thinking and drawing, allied with making, can inform design.

In some cases – private houses and significant public buildings – the opportunity presents itself for the window to become a bespoke element that responds both to the climatic and spatial context that the window looks out on to and the spatial and material characteristics of the room which it is to illuminate and ventilate, (remember the etymological root of window – “wind eye” or “wind hole”).

This is your project, to imagine a domestic living room in a particular climatic and spatial situation and design a bespoke window that responds to it.” (Payne, Grandorge, 2018) The climatic and spatial conditions for our project are: A temperate climate – neither very hot nor cold A garden from the ground floor

Temperate climate

United Kingdom

Temperate zone, Meteoblue, 2018

1.2 Temperate climate “This classification covers a range of climates from near-Mediterranean climates and humid, sub-tropical zones to maritime climates influenced by the oceans - like ours in the UK. The former are mostly found on the western side of continents at 30-45° latitude. Summers can be either hot or warm, but they are always markedly drier than other times of the year. Humid, subtropical climates tend to be in the middle or on the eastern side of continents at 25-45° latitude. Summers here are humid with plenty of rain, but winters are usually dry. Some temperate climates have wet and dry seasons while others have no marked dry season at all. But all have four distinct seasons.” (Met Office, 2015)

LONDON

London Borough of Tower Hamlets within London

4

Position of London within the UK

5

Traditional London terraced house, Crashhousecreative, 2019

1.3 Location We have chosen to situate our project in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets as it is in a temperate climate and London is a city we know well from living and working here.

London is also home to an abundance of terraced houses, mainly from the Victorian era, with back gardens that satisfy our ground floor condition over looking a garden.

Our window looks into a kitchen/dining space and the dimensions are set at 5m x 5m x 2.8m. We chose this space as it is representative of many typical London terraced houses with the kitchen/dining area opening out on to the garden, often times as part of a contemporary extension.

A 5m wide wall gives us flexibility in positioning our window to maximise climatic conditions and a 2.8m floor to ceiling height is standard for a ground floor room.

Maximum sun angle - 61.9°

2.8m

5m

5m

Minimum sun angle - 15.1°

Ground floor room dimensions, minimum & maximum sun angles

6

7

London average maximum temperature 째 C, Met Office, 2018

London average minimum temperature 째 C, Met Office, 2018

London average daylight hours, Met Office, 2018

London average monthly rainfall, Met Office, 2018

Average temperatures in London range from 7.8 째C - 15.3 째C, with an average of 3.86 hours of sunlight per day across the year. In August this reaches a peak of 6 hours per day, with only 1.44 in January. Rainfall ranges from 1.1mm a day in July to 1.97mm in October (1.53mm yearly average).

The key climatic challenges therefore are maintaining high levels of insulation to combat low winter temperatures whilst preventing overheating in the summer, ensuring complete water and air tightness, and maximising daylight penetration in a way that guards against overheating.

The temperate climate is relatively stable but requires the careful offsetting of different summer and winter requirements in terms of thermal performance and daylight levels.

8

9

Max sun height 4:54 pm Max sun height 7:10 pm

Sunset - 9:17 pm Sunset - 9:58 pm Sunrise - 4:46 am

Sunrise - 7:05 am

Sun path - Spring Equinox, 20th March 2019

1.4 Orientation

Sun path - Summer solstice, 21st June 2019

How to orientate the space containing our window was a fundamental early decision. We chose to place our window in a south facing facade to maximise internal daylight in a climate without an abundance of sun, particularly in the winter.

This proposed an interesting challenge in mitigating against excess solar gain in the summer and shading against glare from low angled sun in the winter, as well as ventilating the space whilst maintaining a complete thermal barrier. Being south facing means controlling solar gain in the summer is particularly vital.

The following diagrams show the variety of sun conditions throughout the year.

Sunset - 6:55 pm Sunset - 4:49 pm

Max sun height 08:50 am Sunrise - 6:49 am

Sun path - Autumn Equinox, 23rd September 2019

10

Max sun height 9:07 am

Sunrise - 4:19 am

Sun path - Winter solstice, 22nd December 2019

11

1.5 Local vernacular A common feature in many London terraces is the bay window and this forms the starting point for our design investigations. The bay window has taken various forms throughout history but always has the aim of admitting more light than a window flush with the external wall. The defining feature of the bay window is its projection out of the exterior facade line.

Breaking out of the external facade line opens up more space internally, space which is often used as seating, both traditionally and in more contemporary schemes. Louis Kahn’s Fisher House and Exeter Library are two 20th century exemplars of the integrated window seat, elegant re interpretations of the traditional bay window form.

Integrated window seating is also common as part of ground floor extensions of London terraced houses, such as in Studio Carver’s Belsize reading room project, providing greater connection to the garden and maximising light into low level ground floor spaces.

Contemporary bay window with garden view, Belsize reading room, Studio Carver, 2016

12

13

2. Precedents studies & Design Development

2.1 Fisher House, Louis Kahn. Pennsylvania, USA. The Fisher House was designed by the architect Louis Kahn and built for the family Fisher in 1967. The house is sited along the top ridge of a slight hill. A small wood and a creek runs along at the bottom of the hill.

The house is positioned so that the view of the woods could be framed. The use of timber comes from the familly’s desire to create a very warm and homely atmosphere in the living spaces.

Kahn often used the windows indentations into the home to create occupiable spaces, such as a bench on the ground floor main living area. He conceived details out of the window ledge, and created not only a seating area, but also a set of selves for out of sight storage. The deep recession also allows them to be opened during storms without allowing rain to come into the house. These uses were seen as very innovative at the time.

A large stone hearth next to the window seat makes it the perfect place to relax with a book while contemplating the forest. This bench is a good example of how to emphasis on a view. By making the window a complex piece of furniture, the surrounding landscape becomes the setting of the family life.

14

15

2.2 First intension drawings Some very quick sketches to catch the first ideas for our window.

It will be a central place for the house. Somewhere where everyone could come and enjoy the relaxing view of the garden.

The window is thought as a piece of furniture, where all the elements work together and form a solid and harmonious item.

2.3 Studio, Peter Zumthor. Switzerland How to dress a corner window.

Peter Zumthor’s studio is situated in a small Swiss mountain village. The windows are placed strategically so that all attention is focused on the beautiful surroundings.

A minimal and well proportioned frame does not obstruct the corner window. On the contrary it sublimates the view.

16

17

2.4 Maison Louis CarrĂŠ, Alvar Aalto. France.

Maison Louis CarrĂŠ is a relaxing gateway in France. Like the Fisher House, it is surrounded by a leafy landscape which is disclosed by carefully positioned openings.

A grand picture window or a long door opening, all are embellish by a warm timber frame.

The use of precise, solid timber throughout the house bring an unity and a peculiar atmosphere to the rooms.

18

19

2.5 Housing in Amsterdam. Netherlands.

A very pleasant room due to the quality of the light. The corner window emphasis on the street scene. The room is away from the city but at the same time totally part of it. The luminosity and the framing have as a goal to bring the exterior inside of the flat.

Sketch models and final sketches to test the different ideas retrieved from the precedents studies.

20

21

2.6 The window as a solid piece of furniture.

After a mix of diagrams and skech model making, we decided on the main ideas for our ‘reading nook window’. Like in the previous precedents, we wanted to create a space that was in total harmony with its surrounding (the garden). London houses can have beautiful and large gardens but unfortunately the weather make it difficult to enjoy all year round. The framing of the window bring the garden inside of the living room. The triangular form of the window distort the view and allows for a better understanding of the surroundings and not just one paticular scene.

The palette of material is kept very simple not to distract the serenity of the nook created. Walnut wood is use throughout. Its colour is warmhearted and more than anything, it is extremely solid. We imagine that the timber will not be used as decoration but will be structural. Chunky posts all along the bench piece will support the triangular roof which is cantilevered at its tip. This allows for a thin brass angle to connect the two sides of the window together very elegantly.

All these principles come together to create a beautiful durable piece of furniture that includes a window with louvres, a bench and a door. The ventilation can be controlled easily depending on the seasons, with the two different types of openings.

In summer, as can be seen in front of the windows of houses in South of France or Italy, shade is provided by plants. That is why we decided to incorporate a concrete planter. In winter, the plants will disappear making room for more sun light to enter the room.

22

Maison Louis CarrĂŠ - Window as a very defined and elaborate element, almost like a piece of furniture.

23

South Elevation 1:20 @ A3 0

24

1

25

East Elevation 1:20 @ A3

West Elevation 1:20 @ A3 0

26

1

27

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

3. Environmental Design

Front Garden

Living Room/ Reception

Utility Room

Kitchen

Terraced housing in London.

Dining Room

Proposed Structure

Back Garden 3.1 Bay Windows in Terraced Houses The terraced house first came into fashion in Georgian England, when Nicholas Barbon rebuilt London with townhouses for the gentry, arrayed around garden squares, following the Great Fire in 1666. Despite post-war slum clearance and the resulting demolishment of impoverished Victorian terraced estates during the 20th century, the “two-up two-down” housing typology remain popular in the UK, accounting for over a fifth of new houses built in Britain in 2011. Scores of residential avenues, made up of through terraces arranged back-toback with gardens in between, persist across inner London in the present day.

Our design team aims to propose a bespoke alternative to the “stock” bay window, one of the key architectural features of this London vernacular. We took upon the challenge of marrying the functional prerequisites of the window as a high-performance “wind-hole” with the aesthetic aspirations of architectural design. The proposed window takes into consideration the climatic and spatial contexts within and without -from a domestic interior of a Victorian terraced house, looking out onto a back garden in temperate London.

N

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION Proposed structure, sitting within the ground floor plan of a Victorian terraced house with a south-facing rear elevation.

28

29

Development sketch for a bespoke window.

Interior model Photograph, South West Sunlight Study, David Grandorge

3.2 Inhabitation and Use The key design challenge is to propose something that is bespoke and yet not inflexible: accommodating customization and reconfiguration to an individual’s unique sense of comfort. Even a temperate climate will have a fluctuation of environmental conditions for which a fixed design will not be adequate.

We envisioned creating a reading nook and node for observation and socialisation, somewhere to spend the afternoon reading under the sun, with a view of the garden. The window offsets into the garden space, blurring the threshold between the interior and the exterior, so that the user is immersed into nature whilst staying within the comforts of a modern dwelling - the best of both worlds.

30

First, we addressed the need to accommodate a variety of uses by incorporating multi-purpose, built-in furniture into the design of the window. The window cill extends into the interior to form a chassis of sorts, one that can be used as a window seat, a book shelf, or a storage cabinet. On the exterior, an integrated planter softens the edge between dwelling and garden, as well as serving the purposes of passive solar shading and rainwater collection.

Through a rigorous design process of sketching, allied with model-making, we refined our design to include a number of passive design strategies, so that the user’s expectations for daylight and environmental comfort are met on a diurnal basis.

31

1

2

C1

C2

A

A

19

3. Glazed, right hand outswing door, facing southeast

20

5

49

0

1256

10

0

1

0.2

0.5

5

C1

C2

1

0.1

20

1. Operable louvres, facing south-west

N

Air intake south-west louvres.

through facing,

2

Thermal mass of the terracotta tiles and concrete floor slab slowly re-radiates solar heat gain to keep the interiors warm during a cool winter night.

Mid Level Plan. 1:20 @ A2

2. Fixed, dualaspect corner window, facing south

N Vegetation in the integrated planter filters and purifies incoming air, and collects rainwater from the roof.

1.

2.

Types of windows and openings employed.

3.

Proposed passive ventilation and cooling strategies.

Wind rose for London shows the south-west to be the prevailing wind direction.

32

33

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

Summer Sun

A potential improvement could be to extend the overhang to shade the window from the high summer sun and to prevent overheating.

Winter Sun

Thermal mass of the terracotta tiles and concrete floor slab absorbs and stores solar heat gain to moderate internal temperatures on a hot summer day.

Living awnings are effective passive shading devices. A planter for deciduous shrubs is integrated into the design to naturally vary the amount of solar gain throughout the year.

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION N

Proposed daylighting and solar design.

Sun path diagram as a tool to inform window orientation.

3.3 Passive Design Strategies Rather than opting for a window or French door that runs flush with the wall, our modern reinterpretation of the bay window protrudes at an angle from the south-facing rear elevation of the house. Its orientation optimises daylight intake and create dual south-facing aspects; its extrusion creating a space for inhabitation. Following our ambition for the space as more than a mere opening or point of access to the garden, we took extra care to enhance its thermal and daylighting comfort, so that the space is appealing to use for extended periods of time.

34

The structure must face the south to increase solar intake and maximise its efficiency in daylighting and passive solar heating. Our design is placed at an angle, creating dual south-facing aspects. The reading area is oriented to the southwest to face the afternoon sun.

35

3

2

6 1

4

5

3.4 Material Palette 1. Solid Walnut Wood 2. Brass 3. Copper 4. Concrete 5. Brick Plinth (Underneath Walnut) 6. Red Bricks

36

37

Interior Render

Showing everyday inhabitation

38

39

Engineered Beam as fixing point

Cantilever Area

Load bearing Posts/Jambs

4. Detailed Design

4.1 Structural Intention

Plans Sections Details Construction Sequence

The choice of Walnut provided an opportunity to create a frame that may also act as the primary structure of the ‘bay’ window. The aim has been to minimise the pallette of materials and use efficient components that have both aesthetic and structural merit. As the project has developed we have created a unit that is required to cantilever to form a thin element at the outer corner. This is achieved by using a lightweight roof construction that is able to fix up to the Engineered beam of the opening while the Walnut Jambs act as structural posts or fulcrums transfering load to the plinth and footing.

Extruded forms of traditional window sections will provide deeper elemnts and are intended to add a element of the ‘bespoke’ to a project that is intended to be both rich yet uncomplicated in its construction. Where necessary we will propose more costly but higher performing components and aim to find a balance between cost,performance,sustainabilty and aesthetic.

40

41

CC22

C2

$$!'

A

A

A

"!)%

*)$

"$%(

"'%%

"'!

"'!

$((!

1

1

C2

C2

Ground Floor Plan

C1

C1

C1

#$

22

11

2

1:20 @ A2

2

Cut below window

42

!#%

0

1

43

&

!"#$%&'()*&+&,)

Plan. 1:20 @ A2

2

1

1

2

C

C1

C22

C2

0.2

AA

A

19

1

1

C2C2

20

5

C1

C1

5

49

0

1256

10

20

A

Ground Floor Mid Level Plan

2

1:20 @ A2

2

Cut through window

0.5

44

N

Mid Level Plan. 1:20 @ A2

Mid Level Plan. 1:20 @ A2

0

1

45

2

1

1

2

C2

C1

C2

C2

AA

A

69

5

24

30

5

5

5

40

0

A

74

44

32 3

29

5

5

1

0.2

0.5

46

C2C2

C1

C1

1

N

1st Floor Roof Structure Plan

2

2

1:20 @ A2

High Level Plan. 1:20 @ A2

High Level Plan. 1:20 @ A2

0

1

47

C1

A

Detail 2.2 Detail 1.2

617

Detail 1.1

617

0

1

Section 2-2 1:20 @ A3 North West Facing Orthogonal to window cut through bench seat.

2

2

48

0

1

Section 1-1 1:20 @ A3 East Facing Orthogonal to exisiting.

1

1 49

C1

Thermochromic Glazing Unit 90

Solid Walnut hardwood timber bead fix via pins at 300 centres 15mm rubber glazing seal Solid Walnut hardwood timber cill Stainless steel fixing plate screwed to underside of cill before installation, fixed to stud head with stainess steel screws minimum 450mm centres

25

40

150

Neoprene foam rubber seal

50

Walnut hardwood timber cladding plank fixed to batten with stainless steel screws

206

175mm copper drip angle fixed to cross batten with stainless steel screws 15mm sacrificial cementitious baord fixed behind concrete planter 25mm x 38mm softwood timber batten and cross batten Breather membrane fixed direct to external ply wood to lap too underside of window cill and down over drip angle

617

Vapour Barrier fixed to internal ply face lap to slab DPC and lap up to timber cill 15mm plywood fixed to both sides of timber stud

90

Timber stud cavity filled with recycled paper insulation 150mm x 50mm CS24 softwood stud frame, Fixed to plinth via Resin anchor bolts Copper drip flashing fixed with DPC at 150mm above External FFL 25

40

25

150

50

206

50mm Partial fill cavity insulation

15

Brickwork laid to slab two courses above external FFL Damproof membrane laid to slab return minimum 100mm to external face of slab

617

150mm Concrete slab 150mm PIR Insulation board Concrete strip foundation

25 15

50

0

0.5

Detail 1.1 Ground to Cill Typical Detail 1:5 @ A3

51

C1

Copper stand and seam roof sheet with stand and seam clips fixed through to 50mm x 50mm softwood batten forming cassete structure

Waterproof tapered PIR insulation borad forming roof fall 150

Copper fascia panel with drip angle, adhesive fixed to soffit return, welded to copper roof sheets, minimum 150mm lap Breather roofing membrane lapped to plywood soffit and sealed with Butyl mastic tape

18

157

18mm plywood fascia substrate

50 18 15

50mm x 50mm timber batten ladder forming over hang Copper soffit panel fitted to softwood sub frame prior to window head installation sealed with 12mm butyl mastic tape and fixed with stainless steel screws

Solid Walnut hardwood timber Head

90

Stainless steel fixing plate screwed to head before installation, fixed to timber head plate of 2 x 50mm x50mm softwood timber with stainess steel screws minimum 450mm centres

28

Solid Walnut hardwood timber bead fix via pins at 300 centres 15mm rubber glazing seal

Walnut Harwood timber frame structural post element

25

40

150

50

206

Thermochromic Glazing Unit

Roof structural cassette fromed of 50mm x50mm softwood timber joists filled with Aerogel insulation, 18mm plywood fixed both sides to create cassette

617

25 15

52

0

0.5

Detail 1.2 Soffit and Fascia Detail 1:5 @ A3

53

C2 Roof structural cassette fromed of 50mm x50mm softwood timber joists filled with Aerogel insulation, 18mm plywood fixed both sides to create cassette

500

Copper stand and seam roof sheet with stand and seam clips fixed through to 50mm x 50mm softwood batten forming cassete structure

26

Waterproof tapered PIR insulation borad forming roof fall Roofing vapour barrier sealed to cassette roof construction

185

18mm plywood fascia substrate, fixed to roof cassette structure Copper fascia panel with drip angle, fixed to stand and seam edge clip and adhesive fixed to fascia plywood substrate, additional butyl matic tape at edge 2 x 50mm x 50mm timber batten forming head plate at edge of cassette.

Stainless steel fixing plate screwed to head before installation, fixed to timber head plate of 2 x 50mm x50mm softwood timber with stainess steel screws minimum 450mm centres

Solid Walnut hardwood timber bead fix via pins at 300 centres 15mm rubber glazing seal Walnut Harwood timber frame structural post element 500

Thermochromic Glazing Unit 26

185

0

54

0.5

Detail 2.1 Fascia Upstand Detail 1:5 @ A3

55

A

125

103

290

Triple softwood timber frame forming lintel of goalpost structure

RSA Lintel spanning external brickwork minimum 150mm bearing at ends

125

103

290

150

Copper closure flashing sealed to foam filler, chased into briwckwork bed joint and sealed with mastic Foam filler to profile of stand and seam roof sealed with butyl mastic top and bottom

Copper stand and seam roof sheet with stand and seam clips fixed through to 50mm x 50mm softwood batten forming cassete structure Waterproof tapered PIR insulation borad forming roof fall

Roof structural cassette fromed of 50mm x50mm softwood timber joists filled with Aerogel insulation, 18mm plywood fixed both sides to create cassette

50 18 15

15mm plasterboard fixed through ply to timber structure of cassette

150

50 18 15

0

56

0.5

Detail 2.2 Fascia Upstand Detail 1:5 @ A3

57

290

1,83

28

95

7,4

2

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

10

0

16

4

86

0

0.2

0.5

Detail 3 Door Detail 1:5 @ A3

N

0.5

58

59

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

1

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

9

37

9

42 290

60

10 0

0

0

60

0.5

Detail 4 Venting Panels 1:5 @ A3

4.5 Passive Design The inclusion of a venting panel allows the main glazing units to remain fixed minimising the need for additional mullions and offering wider views. As the proposal includes a that will provide additional venting in summer, insulated panels have been introduced to provide a more controlled solution when required.

61

C1

C2

4.6 Glazing Junction Sketches investigating the introduction of a brass corner detail allowing for a slender meeting point that meets the limited pallette intentions.v

0

62

Detail 5 Corner Brass Window Junction Detail 1:5 @ A3

C1

C2 0.5

63

0.1

0

0.3

0.5

01

02

08

03

06 05

04

07

01. Walnut Hardwood Structural Window Jamb 02. Walnut Hardwood Window Head 03. Thermochromic Glazing Unit 04. 18mm x 18mm Brass Glazing bracing angle 05. 72mm x 72mm Brass Primary Corner Bracing 06. 10mm Dia, bolt fixing with neoprene washers 07. Walnut Hardwood Cill 08. Walnut Hardwood Structural Post forming door and window jamb

64

Exploded Axonometric of Window Elements 1:20 @ A3

0

1

65

4.7 Construction Sequence

10. Walnut hardwood cladding addtitional drips and cementitious board fitted. Along with door. Glazing installed with beads, seals and corner trim.

5. Insulation, Ply sheating and vapour barrier and breather membrane attached.

4. Softwood timber stud work constructed and bolted to plinth with resin anchor bolts.

9. Copper roof installed with accompaning flashings.

3. Engineered structural timber goalpost inserted into existing wall.

8. Tapered roof insulation glued into position and fixed with tand and seam clips.

2. Brick plinth laid with cavity insulation.

7. Insulated timber cassette constructed and fitted to Walnut structural posts fixed up to engineered timber beam in opening.

1. Footings dug down, hardcore and blinding applied to internal area. Slab insulation fitted with polythene membrane, shuttering for edge of slab installed. Concrete footing and slab poured as one component.

6. Walnut Hardwood timber window frame constructed.

66

67

4.8 Initial Components List (excluding internal Joinery)

Softwood Components

Fig.1

Fig.1 Roof Cassette 50mm x 50mm Structure Fig.2 Structural Goalpost components Fig.3 Studwork Fig.4 Batten

Fig.3

Fig.2

Fig.4

Plywood Components

Fig.5

Fig.5 Stud sheathing Fig.6 Roof Cassette sheathing

Fig.6

Walnut Hardwood Components Fig.7 Structural Posts Fig.8 Cill and Head Fig.9 Cladding

Fig.7

Fig.8

Fig.9

Copper Components Fig.10 Stand and Seam Sheets Fig.11 Fascia Fig.12 Closure Flashimg

Fig.10

Fig.11

Fig.12 Insulation

Fig.13

Fig.13 Studwork insulation Fig.14 Waterproof Tapered PIR roof insulation Fig.15 PIR slab insulation

Fig.14

Fig.15

68

69

5. Critique Overall, the proposal has been successful in acheiving some of the goals set out at the start. The final proposal creates a window that can be inhabited in various ways, where the window becomes a peice of furniture.

Though not a particularly volatile climate the introduction of sustainable passive design strategies could prove effective in this location. However there could be an improved approach to refine the sunlighting elements of the design. Possibly through the introduction of a controllable brise soleil to provide a different intesity of sunlight in summer months. This would be additonal and more effective than the planter.

From a cost perspective, most of the desicions are rational. In regards to the venting panels this could be adjusted to a single unit that would require a more simple design approach. This may also be more in keeping with the monolithic appearance of the walnut structure. This process may include a new approach to a more refined ventilation strategy.

We have selected a high performing yet aesthetically pleasing material which provide a suitable solution to the early conceptual studies and ideas. As the proposal has grown it has developed into more than a simple window where we have been able to investigate more structural components than initially anticipated.

70

71

6. Acknowledgement Design Development - All Scale test models - Chris, Marie` Development hand sketches - All 3D Model - Michelle Drawings - Chris, Marie, Zimmie 1:5 Hand-made Model - Dahu, Chris, Marie, Zimmie Detail drawings - Chris, Marie, Zimmie Renderings - Michelle Pictures -All Design report layout - All

72

73