Project 1 Part A – Archetype: Archetype Research

For part A, I was to research three exemplar buildings from the list provided -1 international exemplar and 2 national exemplars, in terms of Vitruvius'  Firmness(environmental filter), Commodity(container of human activities) and delight(delightful experience). 


Exemplar 1: International Building

Bamboo Wall House

Architect: Kengo Kuma & Associates

Location: Shuiguan, Badaling, China

Completion date: 2001

A house is an environmental filter:

• Local materials have been used to the maximum
• Bamboo filters the surroundings - light and wind pass through it
• Floating partitions made breezy by bamboo shoots

A house is a container of human activities:

• Focus on tea room
• Logical design - rooms come off main axis
• Separate public and private areas - spaces between the bamboo symbolises change of fluidity

A house is a delightful experience:

• Bamboo allows glimpses through to rooms beyond and allows light to filter through
• Tranquillity of water feature
• Boundary between interior and exterior blurred

References:

Brown, A. 2004. Kengo Kuma: Making Magic with Materials and Light. http://int.kateigaho.com/mar04/architect-kuma.html (accessed March 9, 2011)

The McGraw-Hill Companies. 2011. “Great (Bamboo) Wall”. http://archrecord.construction.com/projects/bts/archives/hotels/04_greatWall/overview.asp (accessed March 9, 2011)

Exemplar 2: National Building 1

St Lucia House

Architect: Elizabeth Watson-Brown Architects

Location: St Lucia, Queensland, Australia

Completion date: 1998

A house is an environmental filter:

• Orientation - every major room of the house faces due North, therefore avoiding the fierce summer sun and allowing maximum sun penetration during winter
• Micro-climate - shade and evaporation in the Northern courtyard 'pre-cools' summer breezes
• Ventilation - 50% of the Northern wall is able to be opened allowing cross ventilation through high southern windows 

A house is a container of human activities:

• Open glass wall brings indoor living outside
• Vertical arrangement allows all the main rooms to have a North aspect 
• Designed for limited openings onto adjacent properties

A house is a delightful experience:

• Simplicity of elements creates a sense of sophistication
• Focus on the three existing trees (2 x mango trees and 1 poinciana)
• Open plan living can be made private by internal sliding doors

References:

Elizabeth Watson-Brown Architects. n.d.. “St Lucia House”. http://www.elizabethwatsonbrownarchitects.com.au/ (accessed March 9, 2011)

Skinner, P. 2009. “Claims to the significance of the St Lucia House as design research & contribution to knowledge”.  http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/eserv/UQ:163464/Claim_SLHouse.pdf (accessed March 10, 2011) 

Exemplar 3: National Building 2

C House

Architect: Donovan Hill

Location: Coorparoo, Queensland, Australia

Completion date: 1998

A house is an environmental filter:

• Emphasis on changing climatic conditions
• Materials selected to blend into environment
• No window or door frames - allows uninterrupted view of surroundings

A house is a container of human activities:

• Designed and built with future needs in mind
• Public and Private spaces grouped for easy circulation
• Outdoor room is the central room and designed for multi-purpose

A house is a delightful experience:

• Material choice to evoke delight
• Grand and complex design, yet it evokes delight
• Views of city and neighbours tropical garden from the outdoor room

References:

Architecture Australia. 2011. “The Domestic Ideal”. http://www.architecturemedia.com/aa/aaissue.php?article=4&issueid=199905&typeon=2 (accessed March 10, 2011)