References List

Arkhefield. 2009. Australian Institute of Architecture. http://www.architecture.com.au/awards_search?option=showaward&entryno=2007040378 (accessed March 13, 2011).

No author n.d. Arkhefield, “Balaam House”. http://www.arkhefield.com.au/projectdetail.php?id=109&cat=4 (accessed March 13, 2011).

Australian Institute of Architects,

http://www.architecture.com.au/awards_search?option=showaward&entryno=20064145 (accessed March 18, 2011).

Saieh, Nico. Tolo House / Alvaro Leite Siza. http://www.archdaily.com/893/tolo-house-alvaro-leite-siza/. (accessed 20 March, 2011).

Worldchanging, 2009. http://www.worldchanging.com/archives/008408.html (accessed 20 March, 2011).

Felicetti. Peninsula House. http://www.felicetti.com.au/html/7/7_7.html (accessed March 13, 2011).

Godsell, S. (n.d.) Peninsula House. http://www.seangodsell.com/peninsula-house.
(accessed March 13, 2011).

Helsel and Sand. (2003). PENINSULA HOUSE. Architectural Record. http://gateway.library.qut.edu.au/loginurl=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspdirect=true&db=afh&AN=9549430&site=ehost-live (accessed March 13, 2011).

Pt.c Site Analysis & Space Planning

The site is roughly sized 37,000 by 8,700mm located in a small part of Kulgun Park, adjacent to a small group of existing low scale residences. The setbacks on this site are 2,500mm for North and West, 1,000mm for South and 10,000mm for East.   The Cabin is to designed for the exemplar architecture to incorporating spaces such as studio, workplaces as well as living accommodation.

The size limits to this cabin are maximum internal enclosed space of 75m2 with 2 levels above the ground, however covered external spaces are allowed within the boundary. This site is almost facing straight towards to the north and south on its longer side with Victoria Park Road at the east side. On the east side of the site opposite the Victoria Park Road, there is the hill with golf course and a few houses near the top of the hill. The large amount of landscaping of the golf course offers fine scenery to the site, however this road has the heaviest traffic flow around the site, there will not be overloading traffic throughout the day since it’s a Urban Village precinct. Therefore this road noise won’t have a great influence to the site On the South side of the site there are a few houses situated with Maidstone Street in between them. Four big trees are next to the site which provides certain privacy from the residence across the road and also some comfortable shading. Maidstone road is a no through road connecting Victoria Park Road, so there will be cars from the residential houses entering through the road which will cause noise to the site in the morning and afternoon during weekdays. A Mid-high residential apartment is situated at the west side of the site which will mostly block the afternoon sun from the site. On the north side there is the Kulgun Park, the best side of the site. A pedestrian path is situated between the site and the park, visitors flow rate is fairly low for both the path and the park. Few trees are planted surrounding the park providing some shading to the site but it doesn't block the views to the Kulgun Park. Overall the site is a rather private space with good environmental conditions.

Pt.c Cabin Design

The concept of this cabin is based on the characteristics of the Balaam Residence –open style living plan. The size of the building is 11m by 6m including the verandas with the entry facing the west.

Considering the site context the cabin is designed to provide privacy while still incorporating the advantages of having the site on the Kulgun Park. The Cabin design has maximized the scenery of Kulgun Park by incorporating several concepts from the Balaam Residence by Arkhefield.

SITE PLAN 1:100

As an Environmental Filter

The cabin is designed to be connected with the environment while still provide privacy for the client. The Balaam residence has achieved this by designing the form of the house as a manifestation of the needs of the house and constraints of the site. The cabin has solid walls on the south side where the residential area is and full height windows are placed on the north side to engage with the Kulgun Park, in this way it allows the space to be open and lighter and has also reduced the amount of energy used to light the cabin. Two skylights were used on the curved ceilings where it starts to drop down to ensure the natural lighting in other spaces of the cabin and ventilation as well. Timber farmed structures were placed surrounding part of the verandas, this provides a certain privacy for the space while also has reduced the overabundance of sunlight shining through the tall glasses. The cabin consists two levels, the second level is only half of the cabin and completely open to the first floor with no walls separating them which has enhanced the ventilation. The materials were used in a similar style to the Balaam house such as low maintenance and recycled - timber, zinc and concrete, timber was used for both walls and floors. Rainwater storage is placed at the south-side next to the cabin where it has the advantage of the curved wall to increase the amount of water catchment. Solar panels on the roof provide heating for the water, and operable blinds on the north side run on solar clocks to limit the use of air-conditioning.

As a Container of Human Activities

For the Balaam residence it was taken into consideration to accommodate the needs of a large family, but for the cabin it only requires spaces for the architect and a partner. To build in layers is one of the main concepts of the Balaam Residence; this concept has been applied to the cabin design by having the stairs as a tool to separate the space to different layers, which separates the spaces into parts for difference functions without using walls. This open planed living area has enlarged the total area of the space in this small cabin. There are three different layers in the cabin, the ground floor has two layers with only 0.5 meters of height difference containing spaces for working, living and dining where as the upper floor contains spaces for sleeping and ablating. The entry of the house is at the west side facing Victoria Park Road. Walking through the entrance there is a working space at the left , stairs in the middle, living and dining spaces are just down the stairs. Verandas are easily accessible from the cabin, positioned surrounding on the north and west side of the cabin where the tall windows are situated, combined with water features and plants aims to enhance the effect of an indoor/outdoor area..

As a Delightful Experience

The outer structure of the cabin is simple and modern with a curved wall rising up from the ground. The cabin has combined differing senses of layers in order to heighten the experience of the user. It was designed with privacy as the key priority, despite its close proximity to its neighbors it exudes an air of secluded tranquility, utilising its internal simplicity and openness of the floor plan. Verandas and the balcony surrounding the cabin create a connection to the Kulgun Park while offers comfortable outdoor living spaces. Two floor fountains alone the veranda outside the living room and working studio and the reflections of water on the walls creates a relaxation environment and has also brighten the space. This concept was manipulated from the pool of the Balaam residence. The use of natural materials throughout the cabin greatly enhances the characteristics of eco-friendly architecture and also has a simplicity effect of the design and use of finishes make it a contemporary triumph.

3D SECTION

3D SECTION

Pt.b The Balaam Residence Analysis

Pt.a Peninsula House

Peninsula House / Sean Godsell

As an Environmental Filter

The peninsula house is located in the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria. A rather harsh area that is subjected to erratic storms and extreme heat. The site on which the house sits is a sandy dune with a small amount of native Australia trees and shrubs.
With the environment taken into account, Godsell selected resources that were common to the area and which had as little impact on the surroundings as possible.  A 30m x 7.2m oxidized steel portal structure has been embedded into the side of a sand dune. Godsell also stated that the house serves as an type of metaphor for the form and composition of the human body- exoskeleton which the weather controlling outer skin - operable timber shutters, glass roof and walls are all mounted.
 

As a Container of Human Activities

The house itself is the nurturing inner room, protected from the elements by a rigid outer structure. The simple programme of the house - a living/eating room, library and sleeping room forms the ‘endoskeleton’ of the building. The sleeping room is an inner room accessed by a private stair. These notions of inner room (moya) and enclosed verandah (hisashi) were explored in an earlier work (the Carter/ Tucker house) where the idea of fluid (aisle) space formed the basis of the design for that building. The interaction of the occupant between these two zones is enabled by one of the features of the house (the opening and closing of the façade).  

As a Delightful Experience

In this house the three primary spaces are different in dimension, volume and quality of light - the living room is very light, the bedroom is moderately light and the library is dark by comparison. The verandah has become further abstracted in this work to become the protective outer layer of the building.

There is no distinction in that sense between the function of the roof and the function of the walls.  The house itself is the nurturing inner room, protected from the elements by a coarse outer hide. The interplay of the occupant between these two elements activates the simple form of the building (by the opening and closing of the façade) and transforms it into an organic domain. This effect is further accentuated by the emptying and filling of the building with light, filtered through the timber screens, which maps the course of the day and the time of the year in the shape and extent of the shadows cast by the screens.

Pt.a Casa Tolo

The Casa Tolo by portuguese architect Alvaro Leite Siza Vieira.

This building located on a steep hill in northern portugual It consists of a holiday home with three bedrooms, a social bathroom, a living room, a dining room, a small kitchen with a support washbasin, pantry, and even a small outdoor swimming pool.

As an Environmental Filter

The terrain is sharply inclined, long and narrow. However, the site is able to receive solar exposure and to enjoy a particular natural view. The house begins at the top of the hill as the main entrance where car transit was possible and slowly reveals itself as you descend down the outdoor staircase. Rather than cantilevering out or digging into the site, this weekend house

To work with the environment instead of fighting the natural environment, the roof functions simultaneously as pavement support for the garden .Also the architect has used the slope as the home's main characteristic by positioning the weekend house at the center of the lot and acting as a stairway into nature through a combination of tumbling concrete blocks and staircases cascading effortlessly down the almost 33 degree site. This has preserved all the pre-existing trees as they maintain a strong presence in the area, as well as to preserve continuity with the immediate surroundings and to ensure its original characteristics.

 As a Container of Human Activities

Casa Tolo was Designed as a weekend family retreat, and a great piece of architecture .

Each concrete block contains a particular function with opened areas within it, however it’s still a private space because of the sequence of interior spaces that follows the slope.

The house begins with an office from the top of the hill, drops down to the main living, dining, and kitchen area which is partially dug into the earth. The three bedrooms are identical cubes with 45 degree orientations to the main axis of the house creating private zones for dress and laundry. A water pool concludes the slope, whilst intermediate levels offer spaces for sitting, reflecting, tanning, and outdoor showering (Pearson, 2006, 129).

 As a Delightful Experience

For Casa Tolo, the material and construction techniques are basic. However  Raw concrete dominates a Strong sculptural exterior whist parts of the flat roof are grassed over to soften the loud impact upon the landscape. The interiors are white walled and wooden floored creating a sense of neutrality for an unpretentious lifestyle.

The house provides a delightful experience for the user. it is as much about the journey as it is the materials and tectonics. The facade is almost invisible when looking from the main street. the way the spaces that unfold down the slope surprise the visitor and the house takes the user on a journey down the slope both internally and externally, revealing breathtaking views from all angles.

Pt.a The Balaam Residence

       

Location
Hamilton, QLD
Architect
ArkhefieldProject Team
Design architect: Shaun Lockyer
Project manager: Blades Project Management
Developer: Hamilton Stage 2
Civil consultant: Bligh Tanner
Electrical consultant: James Design
Hydraulic consultant: James Design
Landscape consultant: JW Concepts/ Arkhefield
Interior designer: Arkhefield
Acoustic consultant: Bang & Olufsen
Quantity consultant: Gray Robinson Cottrell
Communications consultant: CTI
Builder: Hutchinson Builders
Documenter: Kerry Condon
Documenter: Lucy Haynes
Documenter: Justin Boland
Documenter: Brad Ellis
Documenter: Jennekin Dicks
Documenter: Jami Elliott
Mechanical Engineer: James Design
Photographer: Shaun Lockyer
Structural Engineer: Bligh Tanner
Building surveyor: PMM
Entered
2007

The Balaam Residence is situated off the boardwalk in Hamilton, Brisbane, Qld. The house challenges form and material use, while being inspired by modernist, robust and tactile sources. It combines multiple levels to accommodate the needs of children, adults and living while complimenting the needs of a large growing family. Built from white concrete, timber and zinc, this house looks to evolve as these natural materials define their character over the years to come.

 As an Environmental Filter

As an environment filter, a house needs to be connected and functions within the location. The Balaam residence has achieved this by designing the form of the house as a manifestation of the needs of the house and constraints of the site. Solid walls present to the east while the house peels back layers to the south west.

The site is surrounded by five hundred tall apartment blocks and the riverside, however, Arkhefield solved this by the layering of the design that allows the house to respond to external needs and pressures – for privacy, for views over the river and incoming sun. Furthermore, the house presents a heavily articulated and screened façade to the north and west while peeling back to the river views to the south, it engages with the city and the river with balconies bringing the connection to the city in their own private homes.  The materials used were timber, zinc and concrete. Timber was not only on the floor but also for walling and on the ceiling With the use of these materials, Arkhefield took into consideration of thermal mass, low maintenance and recycled materials.

 As a Container of Human Activities

The first floor level accommodates the bulk of living needs including the outdoor living and pool.

The design of this house was taken into consideration of accommodating the needs of kids, parents and living. The house is zoned such that the often discordant needs of a large growing family can be accommodated in a complimentary and considered way. This gives human scale to the house and allows one to feel ownership of space.

Arkhefield’s solution was to build upward, and in layers. Due to the nature of the area, town planning regulations allowed a great deal of freedom to pursue height, to stack spaces against the neighbor-overlooked east side while creating a 500 square meter pocket of garden on the west.

This is a house that is alive, active and transient at times. It has to be able to accommodate growing toddlers, new babies, teenage girls and parents who entertain. To reconcile these seemingly discordant needs is what offered the unique challenge that this house represents.

As a Delightful Experience

The Balaam residence animates the street, the river boardwalk both with form and sculpture, and is hopefully part of a broadening dialogue of residential architecture in Brisbane and abroad.  

Orientation and view corridors to the river and to the city has been carefully finessed, providing privacy and sanctuary from the otherwise urban and public environment

The dramatic glass end pluge pool cantilevered over the entry and the rich palette of materials used such as solid, playful zinc-walled elements served different programmatic needs within the house, from exterior decking to ceilings and internal joinery, and the internal linings of cupboards all adds to the delightful architectural structure.