SketchUp Development

 

Sketches

Development of layout

Development of second layout

Space Planning: Ideas for Interior

Conceptual and bubble diagrams indicating spaces, relationships, circulation, and other important features. 

- Arranging the spaces to satisfy the programs and solve the needs of client.

- Diagram major functional and spatial relationships.

- Establish major functional and spatial relationships.

- Show relative sizes and shapes of important features.

As a focus of vertical elements, I have created a three storey home - each level has a different purpose in terms of functional and spatial relationships. The first level is the garage - a place where occupants can store their vehicles. The second is the main living space where I have disregarded the sun room and connected the kitchen with the living room. I have opened up this space with windows, thereby it becomes a sun room in itself. There is a lot of circulation through this area as this is a communal space where occupants and guests will spend most of their time. I have created an outdoor zone out from this living space to open it up - indoor/outdoor flow, for this reason, becomes a main feature in this home. The top level is designed for the bedrooms space, a private area, hence why they are located upstairs, away from guests. These rooms obviously don't get as much circulation through them, nevertheless, the hallways and staircases leading up to them, is fluid.

In these diagrams, I have colour coded the spaces according to:

- Blue: circulation and flow through the space (light blue is a place of less circulation, dark blue has more circulation and is a fluid space e.g. transitional spaces).

-Purple: functional and spatial relationships (I have connected rooms together, and separated rooms by adding levels in the home).

Development of layout

Development of second layout

Diagrammatic Transformation of Architectural Space

Cutting and creating boundaries with interior walls

These are sketched diagrams displaying different layouts inside the house and also the open and free movements people will have through the house when walls have been removed. After investigating transparent spaces, I thought that incorporating windows would be an important part of my design. I added colour to represent and 'transparent' elements, that of the windows, where heat will be transferred through. I have cut out several walls to open up the house, allowing for more communal areas. I wanted to combine the sun room, kitchen and living room into one floor space, and with the windows boarding the house, this area will gain a large amount of sunlight and heat.

Development of layout 

I thought that adding an additional level would be appropriate so that there is more space for the occupants to interact with one another and also enjoy their own company. This level will    hold all of the bedroom spaces and a bathroom. The sun's heat will not only enter through the glass panels, but also the heat entering the large living space downstairs will rise up through the ceiling and insulate this upper level.

 

Development of second layout 

Extending the walls out may be an ideal option in terms of creating more space. I am also thinking of perhaps elevating the house on stilts to make it closer to the sun for more heat and light.

Precedents

I wanted to investigate transparent spaces because having this 'see through' element has several benefits. Primarily, they help in filtering air, sunlight, and heat. Without windows, the rooms would be a lot more dingy. They are also a way of opening up a space to create an efficient indoor/outdoor flow. These transparent spaces below use different materials and have completely diverse methods and layouts, but they all allow for sufficient ventilation and heating in the space.

White Chapel (2006)

http://www.aokijun.com/en/works/058/

Aoki Jun and associates designed White Chapel within the site of Hyatt Regency Osaka. It is used for wedding ceremonies and accommodates 80 people. The structure consists of square steel rings 60cm in diameter, with sides of 25mm, which are interlocked three-dimensionally. One virtual unit is a 3D truncated tetrahedron, and the combined units fill up the space. The three-dimensional layout of the ring corresponds to the array of the circle, inscribed in the 4 regular hexagons within the unit. Steel rings are welded together, forming a foam-like three-dimensional grid which is mainly occupied by voids. This not only supports the roof but is also used to assist the glass exterior as MPG System. Inside the grid, a double-layered woven screen of white organdy is hung.

Jun Aoki House (2011)

http://www.archdaily.com/tag/shigeru-ban-architects/

Jun Aoki House at Hanegi Park was also designed by Shigeru Ban Architects. The short video tours viewers through this intimate and minimalist home, revealing the nuances and features of the design. The house has a number of unique features, the most prominent of which is the semi-arched roof vault on the second level, which also gives a penetrating view through the length of the house. The openness of the architecture is emphasised by the austerity of the material choices. Stark white walls are set against the lush trees and vegetation of Hangei Park, highlighting the contrast between the natural and man-made.

Link to video 

http://vimeo.com/50284298

Curtain Wall House (1995)

http://en.wikiarquitectura.com/index.php/Curtain_Wall_House

The Curtain Wall House is designed by Shigeru Ban and combines contemporary materials in new interpretations of traditional Japanese styles.

Concept

In architecture, curtain wall is called an outer skin covering the building without serving a structural function, as this skin is hung from the slabs bearing.The curtain is an architectural element linked to traditional Japanese design elements such as shoji screens and sudare, or common Fusuma doors in traditional Japanese house. They are a simple, architectural and artistic work for ventilation, which are aesthetically seductive and poetically expressing natural air flow. The interior and exterior may merge into one space like the people creating some experiences within the habitat, very difficult to achieve within a city and even more so in a city as large and populous as in the case of the Japanese capital.

Spaces

The main program of the house is placed against the inside corner of the field and develops in ground floor and two upper floors. The residence contains no ornamentation, making a sharp contrast with the colours of adjacent buildings. This core is removed from the perimeter built terrain leading to a large covered terrace space split-level extending into the street creating sense of space, something difficult to experience in the bustling city of Tokyo. Behind the curtain several sliding glass walls create a private and secluded inside, ensuring air tightness, water and some soundproofing.

- Ground Floor: The ground floor has been left open, assigned to the public space of the street and the house serves as a car park.

- First and second floor: The indoor environment is controlled by opening and closing the large drapes. In winter the insulation is supported by a set of glass doors. On the first floor are the elements of service and day areas open to the terrace, while the upper rooms are reserved.

Space Planning: Ideas for Exterior

From my previous diagrams, I chose a couple of the diagrams with 'cuts' that I thought would be the most functional in terms of allowing heat in.

Development of layout 
I cut out the sun room and shifted it to the west side of the house. This allows for more sunlight to enter the larger living spaces. I also cut out the entire floor section on the ground level and lifted it above to become the second level - the rise of the house makes the space open and more available to light and heat.

Development of second layout 

I used the diagram that cut through the centre of the entire house. By repositioning one side of the house above the other, I was able to direct it towards the sun, allowing for extra heat. I took elements from the diagram above by shifting the sun room to the side so that it doesn't block any light that may enter.

Benefits of both diagrams
Producing an additional level means there will be more space for occupants to interact with one another and also have individual, private areas. The separation of these two spaces could potentially be used for different tasks and leisurely activities e.g. kitchen and living room could be downstairs and the bedrooms could be upstairs. This also allows for occupants to control who enters these public and private areas.