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)