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)

Exemplar 1: Canoe Reach Residence

The first exemplar house which I have selected is the Canoe Reach Residence. This riverfront residence was designed by Steendyk Architects, and is located on Brisbane's south in Yeronga (Canoe Reach Residence, 2009). Sited on a panoramic bend of the Brisbane River this private retreat for occupants and their guests explores the boundaries of modern architecture, with regard to delight and function. Particularly, this is my favourite home visually out of the chosen three as it combines a range of different materials with the overall result of a heightened grand appearance.

Some basic details about the Canoe Reach Residence include;

Location: Yeronga, Qld
Design Architect: Brian Steendyk
Structural Consultant: Bligh Tanner Consulting Engineers
Structural Consultant: Crichton Engineering
Landscape Architect: Steendyk
Interior Designer: Steendyk
Builder: Phase Developments

(Canoe Reach Residence, 2009)

“From inception our design practice has been passionate about the creation of designs that are sustainable environmentally, functionally, and aesthetically. An emotive sculptural quality that possesses an underlying logic is imbued in each design resulting in pertinent objects that combine elegance with panache.” (Canoe Reach Residence, 2009)

1. House as an Environmental Filter:

- The Canoe Reach Residence boasts aspects and features which can define it as an 'environmental filter'.

- As it is located near the Brisbane River, it is assumed that the Architect would incorporate this relation somehow in the design. Steendyk has been particularly successful with this. Specifically, the building is situated on a sloping hill facing the river. The Architect has designed the structure to sit neatly and comfortably within the contours, creating the same flowing effect as what is established with the landscape.

- The Canoe Reach Residence utilises large openings and windows for a variety of environmental reasons. These inclusions attract maximum sunlight into the home and also dictates the ventilation movement. Also, to the Brisbane River are maximised and as a result the external boundary somewhat disappears as the outside is brought inside the house (Canoe Reach Residence by Steendyk Architects in Yeronga, Australia, 2008).

-Finally, the materials chosen establish a relationship with the location. With the natural flow of the river and the terrain, Steendyk has utilised timber - a natural material as the primary finishing for the exterior (Down by the river, 2008).

Large Openings and Windows

2. House is a container of Human Activities:

- Although being an 'environmental filter' the Canoe Reach Residence has a functional experience - being a housing container of human activities.

- The U shaped plan of the home is designed to maximise the amount of areas to attain a view of the river. It is noted that most rooms in the house, except a couple have perfect unblocked views of Brisbane River (Canoe Reach Residence, 2009).

- These rooms circulate and surround the central focus point of the structure which is the ground floor courtyard (Canoe Reach Residence, 2009). Situated in the middle of the home it defines the communal space, and is the general area linking all communal areas together. Steendyk has branched the kitchen, living room and library (all communal spaces) off the courtyard. This establishes the fact that he believes the occupants will use this space proficiently during the day (Canoe Reach Residence, 2010). To enhance this fact, the spaces are quite open and spacious.

- On the other hand, bedrooms and most bathrooms are found to be on the first level above the courtyard (Canoe Reach Residence, 2010). Steendyk has designed it specifically this way to maintain the hierachy of privacy and to exentuate the horizontal and vertical continuity.

Site Plan - revealing steep topography

Western elevation - clearly shows the house within the site

3. House is a Delight:

- The delightful experience of the Canoe Reach Residence does not begin at the actual house but instead is developed an develops on your approach to the site. The environment establishes many feelings of grandness with the winding Brisbane River in the background and the large canopy trees lining the street.

- The house in itself is a journey of various experiences and emotions.

"Entering from the street past the tennis court, the riverfront residence appears as a single-storey loggia. From the entry court, a mounded earth embankment deliberately obscures the river and house form. As the entry gate is approached, a cantilevered awning draws the visitor through the embankment; the space compresses in height, width and depth through perspective manipulation. This sets up the unexpected arrival sequence into the central courtyard, which expands to a two-storey space with an overhead parasol roof. Ascending the stairs, a sequenced view unfolds: the parklands beyond, then the Brisbane River below and finally the house, which reveals itself as a contemporary courtyard residence." (Canoe Reach Residence, 2009)

-This is a snapshot of the delight one experiences when entering the home. It is heightened significantly by the numerous views each room possesses of the natural beauty of the landscape beyond.

- Furthermore, the unique architecture and creative layout of the structure on its own creates an aspect of delight which is further enhanced by the spaciousness and openess of the whole structure.


References:

Steendyk. Canoe Reach Residence, Yeronga. 2009
URL: http://www.architecture.com.au/awards_search?option=showaward&entryno=2008041485 (Accessed on 5th March 2010)

Canoe Reach Residence. 2010
URL: http://www.steendyk.com/mainpage.htm (Accessed on 5th March 2010)

Canoe Reach Residence by Steendyk Architects in Yeronga, Australia. 2008
URL: http://www.nikiomahe.com/home-design/canoe-reach-residence-by-steendyk-architects-in-yeronga-australia/ (Accessed on 5th March 2010)

Down by the river. 2008.
URL: http://www.worldarchitecturenews.com/index.php?fuseaction=wanappln.projectview&upload_id=10702 (Accessed on 5th March 2010)

Three Exemplar Houses

Over the past few days I have completed some elaborate research on various houses and Architect's. From the list, I have chosen three to explore in more detail. These include;

1. Tubac House
2. Canoe Reach Residence
3. Isaacson/Davis Beach House

In my next post the in depth research of these particular houses will be outlined.

Project 1 Begins

‘Firmness, Commodity, and Delight’ ::

the ultimate synthesis.

A complete theory of architecture is always

concerned essentially in some way or another,

with these three interrelated terms which, in

Vitruvius' Latin text, are given as firmitas, utilitas,

and venustas [i.e., structural stability, appropriate

spatial accommodation, and attractive

appearance].

The Influence of Designers

Our first assignment of this year begins with analysing exemplar houses of both international and Australian architects. The ideas and theories of these architects will form the basis of our own brainstorming.

Before researching particular architects, the writings of Vitruvius were discussed, in particular his notion of Firmness, Commodity and Delight. "The Ten Books of Architecture" states that this phrase can be linked to everything in architecture, and translated out of their Latin text (firmitas, utilitas and venustas) translates to structural stability, appropriate spatial accomodation and attractive appearance. It should be noted that throughout this assignment, finding a balance in these three concepts will be the overall aim.

References: Vitruvius. The Ten Books on Architecture. Morris Hickey Morgan. Cambridge: Harvard University Press. London. Humphrey Milford. Oxford University Press. 1914