Peak Retreat Cabin

The Peak Retreat Cabin is a mixture of vernacular and modern architecture. The dwelling is situated on Parti Peak where it over looks a spectacular scenery which ranges from a forest of trees to a small creek which winds throughout the landscape.

The Cabin includes a variety of design elements determined by the work of Peter Rich. These include;

• Nedeble Architecture
• Timber (primary material) - Rich uses timber as his main construction material for basically all projects. It has the most relevance and the best relationship with the African environment
• Slanted roof
  
• Open planned living
• Diagonal circulation
• Home split into 3 sections - communal, serving and served areas
• Big windows and openings
• Homes are raised on stilts

These have been successfully combined to create a sustainable and delightful piece of architecure. Particularly this Cabin has been designed as a holiday retreat for a couple. I believe the end result which includes large open spaces, strong interaction with the surrounding environment and the ability to heighten senses through unique details satisfies this brief completely.

House as an Environmental Filter:

- Large openings and windows are utilised to maximise views, attract the entrance of sunlight and to direct ventilation movement.

- The interior fragments at the periphery (Openings and windows) to incorporate a fringe of external decks, dissolves the boundary between inside and out - allows the space inside to interact strongly with the environment.

- An angled skillion roof is implemented. As described in Ndebele architecture this heightens and exentuates the views.

-Faces South - West for optimum views.

- The use of natural timber as the primary construction material helps it to blend within the surrounding forested environment.

- The terrain is sloped from North - East to South - West and the cabin has accomodated to fit comfortably within the landscape through the utilisation of stilts. The wooden stilts rise from the ground like the surrounding trees to support the Cabin.

House as a container of Human Activities:

- The house creates a unique environment that reconciles abstract architectural ideas with the need for ordinary, everyday living.

- A design element which has been included is by dividing the site into three equal sections - Public, private and semi-private. This enhances the privacy hierachy with the bedroom and office on the mezzanine floors of the dwelling, away from the communal spaces. Necessary height is used to develop this sectioning and provides the occupant with the optimum privacy.

- Subtle changes in levels of the floors and ceiling ensures that the spaces within the Cabin are clearly defined yet have a strong vertical and horizontal continuity.

- Orthagonal spaces which are prevalent in Ndebele Architecture are open and spacious, yet simple in form. These spaces define the the communal activities and are for living and eating, two of the most important parts of the human lifestyle.

- All person flow is directed to the communal areas as the space is open, large in height and is the lowest part of the Cabin. You are drawn to this area due to the changes in levels.

House as a delight:

- The delightful experience is not just defined by its ability to satisfy the design as an environmental filter or a container of human activities.

- Very modern and free flowing architecture heightens the senses to truly make one feel relaxed and indeed in a retreat.

- Wide open spaces allows one to feel safe and comfortable in the Cabin.

- Use of unique architecture - mainly the addition of mezzanine floors which have no walls to enhance the flowing effect adds onto the experience.

- High timber finish generates a warm and tactile feel for the building overall, which can make the experience that more delightful.

- The ability for the form of the house to frame and welcome the most spectacular views allows the occupants to interact with the environment and therefore enhance the overall senses of living within the Cabin.

Overall this design has been well established and satisfies being an environmental filter, a container of human activies and a house that is delightful. The work of Peter Rich is profound throughout the design, and enhances the aspects significantly. This Cabin is definately a retreat.

Diagramming

Inclusions from Peter Rich's Work:
Environmental Filter:


Design Development:

Understanding basic Cabin spaces...

Features which can be considered for Cabin Design...

There are many subtle and pronounced features that I have determined from Peter Rich's Architecture which I wish to consider for utilisation in my cabin design. These particular features range from;

• Nedeble Architecture
• Timber (primary material) - Rich uses timber as his main construction material for basically all projects. It has the most relevance and the best relationship with the African environment
• Slanted roof
  
• Open planned living
• Diagonal circulation
• Home split into 3 sections - communal, serving and served areas
• Big windows and openings
• Homes are raised on stilts

A diagram of the main features to be included are below;

Getting to know Peter Rich Architects...

"For thirty five years, Peter Rich Architects have been rigorously engaged in four key areas of architectural practice.

• As researcher, Peter Rich pioneered the documentation of African settlements so others can learn from them.
• As an activist, he brought what he has learned to a wider audience.
• As a teacher, he developed an architectural vocabulary that builds on tradition and has empowered successive generations of young architects.
• As a practicing architect in his wide variety of work, he has given structure to his discoveries, creating Architecture that is deeply embedded in its time and place.

Peter Rich Architects is one of the leading proponents of a contemporary African Architecture, a fusion of modernism and tradition born from a deep understanding of African iconography and vernacular.

Peter Rich Architects has been acknowledged by a local and international audience as being one of the most important architectural firms currently practicing in Africa. . The practice has re-ceived numerous Awards of Merit (7) from the South African Institute of Architects and has been recognized with several International awards.

Reference:

Peter Rich Architects Practice. 2010.

URL: http://www.peterricharchitects.co.za/ (Accessed 10th March 2010)

Drawings of Exemplar - Berg Retreat

After analysing the formal drawings produced by Peter Rich, I recorded a few techniques which he utilised throughout;

• He drew with very free form - portraying the necessary emotions he wanted to achieve.

• His shading style enables the drawings to come to life and to tell a specific story about the spaces within.

It was particularly important that I understood and incorporate this. This is important for my personal reproduction of the specific drawings; which are detailed below.

I feel I have created a successful representation which satisfies the way in which Peter Rich works. The drawings produced are better than I expected and I am proud of the effort and how I mastered his particular shading style.

Berg Retreat - Chosen Structure

Following the tutorial it was made clear to me that I would have to chose a fourth house to research. I developed an immediate attraction to the Berg Retreat House. This dwelling has sufficient detailed drawings and crucial information which will be useful for this project. It is such that I have chosen the Berg Retreat as my chosen exemplar.

3D PERSPECTIVE

This drawing showcases;
- The three particular sections - public, provate and semi - private
- The spaciousness of the communal areas
- That the communal area has been designed in a particular way to satisfy the numerous activities involved within it
- How the entrance of light effects the spaces (shadows, etc.)
- Slanted roof exentuates the panoramic views

The Berg Retreat has been skillfully designed by reknowned South African Architect, Peter Rich. Sited on the plains of South Africa at the base of the Drakensberg Mountains, this architecture combines the vernacular with adaptations of the modern. The brief called for "a three bedroom house in balance with nature, responding to site, climate and materials." (Berg Retreat House, unknown) Rich has developed a home which satifies these requirements. He has designed a holistic home that sythesises all the components of culture, family and function into a quiet and blissful place of retirement, a retreat (Berg Retreat House, unknown). It must be noted that this house was not passed through to construction , so limited information is readily available.

SECTIONS

This drawing showcases;
- Slope of the terrain
- How the entrance of light effects the spaces (shadows, etc.)
- Slanted roof exentuates the panoramic views
- Materials utilised

1. House as an Environmental Filter:

- With the Berg Retreat positioned in one of the most known environments, the African savannah, it is pivotal that it develops a crucial relationship with the landscape and certainly becomes an 'environmental filter'.

- Fortunately, Peter Rich has spent the past 20 years studying these landscapes and has designed a dwelling which truly unites with the immediate surroundings (Berg Retreat House, unknown).

- Initially the body of the building smoothly flows and hence sits neatly into the sloping topography from the east to the west.

- As noticed in the other explored exemplars, large openings and windows help to generate optimum views by allowing the outside environment to be brought into the interior. This has been incorporated in the overall design, but Rich has also employed a slanted roof. This Ndebele (tribal group) inspired geometry heightens the drama of the views to the Drakensberg Mountains and allows a greater interaction between the outer and inner environments (Berg Retreat House, unknown).

- The positioning of the house in the a southern direction establishes this view.

- Following on from this, the house plan is dictated by the environmental conditions to maximise sunlight entrance, ventilation movement and views.

- Similar to the Tubac House, the Berg Retreat has a harsh exterior which does not allow for differentiation between it and the surroundings. The implication of a stone retaining wall at the base of the home marks the change of levels but provides a tectonic backbone to the design (Berg Retreat House, unknown). The use of a untreated steel roof and timber as the exterior material allows for complete unison with the savannah.

ELEVATION

This drawing showcases;
- Reveals the slope of the terrain
- Materials utilised
- How the entrance of light effects the spaces (shadows, etc.)
- Slanted roof exentuates the panoramic views

2. House is a container of Human Activities:

- "The function of the house is dicated by its particular forms, with each relating to a different component function."

- Orthagonal spaces which are prevalent in Ndebele Architecture are open and spacious, yet simple in form. These spaces define the the communal activities and are for living and eating, two of the most important parts of the human lifestyle (Berg Retreat House, unknown).

- Freestanding spaces on both sides of the home are used for contemplation and meditation as they are areas which exentuate relaxed emotions.

- Furthermore, the engaged round spaces are for cleansing and the curved wall spaces, which offer safeness and cosiness define sleeping areas.

- Each space is defined by a floor plane and is interconnected by the diagonal flow of space, which enables the occupants efficient movement throughout the home.

- Another design element Rich has included is by dividing the site into three equal sections. This enhances the privacy hierachy with the bedrooms on the both wings of the dwelling, away from the communal spaces. Necessary walls are used to develop this sectioning and provides the occupant with the optimum privacy (Berg Retreat House, unknown).

FLOOR PLAN

This drawing showcases;
- Reveals the three particular sections - public, provate and semi - private
- Materials utilised
- Defines the spaces within the house
- Demonstrates how the spaces interact - diagonal spatial flow

3. House is a Delight:

- The Berg Retreat is a delightful experience. One only needs to look at the name of the house to identify that this is a place which would explore delightful features to the maximum.

- Although the dwelling is positioned in the harsh savannah the inclusion of the retreat heightens your journey as you immediately feel comfortable and established in an otherwise barron and vulnerable environment.

- The utilisation of large open spaces within the interior defines the mood, which is relaxed and free flowing.

- Combining this with the spectacular views framed by the large openings and windows and the simple form of defined lines and earthy natural materials, the occupants senses reach their extreme through visualisation.

Overall, this house satisfies the three main qualities - environmental filter, container of human activities and delight in an effective manner. Its unique architecture and remote location work well together to create a sustainable and desirable home.

References:

Berg Retreat House.
URL: http://www.umemagazine.com/issues.aspx (Accessed on 10th March 2010)

Exampler 3: Isaacson/Davis Beach House

The third chosen exemplar house is from Australia, called the Isaacson/Davis Beach House. Designed by John Wardle Architects it was created for clients who were searching for a beach house retreat. Located in Balnarring, Victoria it is described by John Wardle as having a quality by which the house feels as if it can be "unpacked on arrival and repacked on departure, as though the house itself reflects the joy of happily unpacking the tote bag, thrown in the back of the car for a weekend away." (Goad,1997; Ferguson, unknown; Isaacson/Davis Beach House; Australian Architecture Now, 2006; John Wardle Architects, 2006) It was this uniqueness which interested me.

Specific details of the Isaacson/Davis Beach House are below.

Location: Balnarring, Victoria
Architect: John Wardle Architect Pty Ltd
Engineer: Street Moorhouse Pty Ltd
Builder: Kane Construction (Vic) Pty Ltd in association with Mal McQueen

(Ferguson, unknown; Isaacson/Davis Beach House)

1. House as an Environmental Filter:

- This design is purely developed from the landscape in which it exists.

- The home floats above the site. This is referred to as 'atavistic instinct' which is the gravity defying notion established by Architect Marcel Bruer who Wardle based numerous designs from. This floating effect provides both a visual impact for the occupant and showcases a functional relationship with the environment (Ferguson, unknown; Isaacson/Davis Beach House).

- Stilts rise from the ground like the surrounding trees to support the base, leaving the ground unperturbed and therefore respect for the landscape is witnessed (Goad,1997; Australian Architecture Now, 2006).

- The choice of timber as the construction material enables the dwelling to camouflage effectively with the trees, and thus heightens the discovery experience.

- Being sited on the coastal line it is observed that light entrance, ventilation and views must be welcomed within the design. To manage these environmental factors, Wardle has included open space arrangements, wide openings and various large windows.


2. House is a container of Human Activities:

- The Isaacson/Davis Beach House is based on the 'binuclear' plan, which arranges the spaces within the home to produce particular functions (Ferguson, unknown; Isaacson/Davis Beach House). To conform to the privacy hierachy the living area is positioned on the ocean side of the house (front) where views are optimised and can be truly established for the occupant. A layer of services, kitchen and dining, divides the open living space from the enclosed and private areas - bedrooms and bathrooms (Ferguson, unknown; Isaacson/Davis Beach House). This specific arrangement allows the rooms to serve a strong purpose, by satisfying everyday human activities.

3. House is a Delight:

- Similar to the two other exemplars the Isaacson/Davis Beach House begins its delightful experience through the approach to the site. Hidden within a forest of trees the box shaped building increases the emotion of discovery, when one exexpectably stumbles upon this piece of modern architecture (Australian Architecture Now, 2000).

- But such a basic design can have a powerful impact visually.

- A particular aspect of the house is the external skin. Unlike most designs the external shell is two layered. Due to weathering the outer layer will become grey-white in colour whilst the inner layer reveals an oiled appearance of warmth and factility. This detail is a very high level and the utilisation of quality timber materials heightens the experience of the inhabitant.

Compared to the other exemplars the Isaacson/Davis Beach House is quite boring. Not taking anything away from the work of John Wardle, but this design for me lacks the intent and enthusiam which the others exposed so evidently. Although satisfying the analytical features the overall home does not capture my belief of what is modernised architecture.

References:

Goad, P. 1997, ‘Beach House’, Architectural Review Australia, Summer, pp 40-47

Ferguson, S. Isaacson/Davis Beach House.
URL: http://www.timber.org.au/NTEP/Resources/17s.pdf (Accessed on 6th March 2010)

Isaacson/Davis Beach House.
URL: http://www.timberbuilding.arch.utas.edu.au/projects/aus/459/ (Accessed on 6th March 2010)

Australian Architecture Now. Ginko Press 2000

John Wardle Architects. Balnarring Beach House. 2006
URL: http://www.johnwardle.com/projects/default.htm?i_PageNo=1&ProjectId=16&pageNo=1&ProjectCategoryId=3&ProjectKindId=0&Featured=0&Archived=0&AllProjects=0&ViewMode=text (Accessed on 6th March 2010)

Exemplar 2: Tubac House (International)

The second exemplar I have chosen for detailed research is the Tubac House, located in the desert of Arizona, USA. Designed by Architect Rick Joy this structure is very innovative with its design and the relationship it has created with the immediate landscape is unparrallel to many. The Tubac House is quite different in relation to the other houses from the exemplar list as it seems to coordinate all of the analysis topics (environmental filter, container of human activities and delight) in the most desirable way.

Some specific details of the house is found below'

Architect: Rick Joy
Year: 2001
Location: Arizona, USA
Type of Building: Residential
Area: 500m2

1. House as an Environmental Filter:

- The relationship formed between the Tubac House and the environment is very strong.

- The house is defined by two U shaped retaining walls which are set into the hillside, giving the appearance that the house is one with the landscape and slips 'lizard - like' into it (Tubac House by Rick Joy. 2007; Plattner, 2010; Tubac House, unknown; Tubac House, 2006; Swager, 2006).

- The use of raw, untreated steel enhances this relationship as it is coherent with the characteristics formed by the desert, acting almost like a discarded piece of rusted metal (Tubac House by Rick Joy. 2007; Plattner, 2010) .

- Furthermore, the use of steel forms frame large spectacular views which invites the landscape into the house. Another feature which contributes to this is the courtyard which divides the house into two sections. This allows the landscape to penetrate the exterior walls (Plattner, 2010).

2. House is a container of Human Activities:

- The Tubac House design dictates the way humans function within the structure. Specifically, it is noted that the interior of the home is defined by an open space living arrangement.

- Rick Joy has implemented the zoning of space ranging from private (bathroom), semi private (bedroom) and public (living area) (Plattner, 2010).

- Finally, the two U-Shaped retaining walls within the structure act as containers for the human activity

Floor Plan of Tubac House; reveals the spacial arrangement.

3. House is a Delight:

- Rick Joy believes that the desert has the abiliy to overwhelm the human senses.

- Overall the house takes a basic form with clean lines, solid material and open spaces. These small but important details combine together to create a structure which is stylish and smart (Plattner, 2010).

- The house provides two different experiences. From the external the Tubac House looks course and untreated providing a complemetary feeling of its surroundings. But what makes it intriguing and in turn delightful is the play with contrast to develop a blissful and serene feeling of enlightenment. The different environment of the interior, with added features of shade, dripping water and planting heightens the senses to their extreme (Tubac House, 2006; Swager, 2006).

- It is ironic how one can feel automatically safe and relaxed, in the middle of the desert.

Overall, this house satisfies the three main qualities - environmental filter, container of human activities and delight in an effective manner. Its unique architecture and remote location work well together to create a sustainable and desirable home. Although, I cannot classify it in the same depth as Canoe Reach Residence as its aesthetic features are not as overwhelming.

References:

Tubac House.
URL: http://www.umemagazine.com/issues.aspx (Accessed on 4th March 2010)

Tubac House.2006.
URL: http://www.archipedia.org/buildings/tubachouse (Accessed on 4th March 2010)

Plattner, S. Innovative Architecture of the Tubac House. 2010.
URL: http://inventorspot.com/architecture_tubac_house (Accessed on 4th March 2010)

Swager, P. Rick Joy Architect, Tuscon, AZ Recent Work. 2006.
URL: http://www.arch.uiuc.edu/events/lectures/fa2006/11_01_06/ (Accessed on 4th March 2010)

Tubac House by Rick Joy. 2007.
URL: http://coolboom.net/architecture/tubac-house-by-rick-joy/ (Accessed on 4h March 2010)