Chapter Projects

Pivotal Case Study House #7 hinges on the concept of movement. The idea stretches the plan of the home with relation to the linear site, allowing opportunities for inside/outside spaces. This stretch allows for natural ventilation in the humid climate and pivots along a line dividing the public and private spaces. The roof line wraps around the home breaking on the spine and continuing down to the ground, tying the structure into the landscape. Number 7 demonstrates the essentials of sustainable design, connecting regional characteristics, resilient materials and construction methods. The design was first conceived with the interior layout of spaces. It incorporates three different ‘zones’ of space, each providing a distinct function within the building footprint. Zone 1 (Service) - This area represents the working components of the house, including the bathrooms, mechanical and kitchen services. It houses all mechanical, plumbing and electrical systems, allowing the rest of the plan to be free for multiple uses and/or integration of spaces. Zone 2 (Spine) - The spine contains the circulation for the house, along with large storage units disguised within the thick walls. This allows for a double loaded corridor, maximizing space efficiency. With this storage spine, occupants are able to easily reach the storage units all within one section of the house. This helps cut down on the users need to maneuver in and out of tight storage spaces, especially within a house of such condensed size. Zone 3 (Living) - The living zone contains the master bedroom, flex space, and the living room. These spaces are free of all storage, with each room containing at least two walls of windows. Each room has access to an outdoor deck space, allowing the occupants multiple points of interaction with the outdoor environment. All north/south facing walls incorporate a sliding door system, allowing the whole house to be ‘opened’ and permit full air circulation. Number 7 is raised just over eight feet off the ground, allowing for small automobile access underneath. This eight foot high space contains concrete block walls along with a wrapping roof structure that aids in the appearance of a grounded house. The street elevation contains a pivoting garage door made of treated wood, which acts as the third device to ground the house Deciding to forego ramp construction, we have converted a boat lift into an ADA accessible lift. Taking the basic structure, we finished the top with a standard wood deck finish to match the rest of the house, a concept already done for boat enthusiast. This helped eliminate the 80 plus foot ramp that would be climbing and crisscrossing the site. We wanted the house plan to be number one priority, and not allow a large ramp dictate the site and interior layouts. The ramp can easily be concealed within the footprint of the house. It acts as a multifunctional space, both for necessity and leisure. If current or future owners do not see a need for a lift, it can easily be concealed as a deck, unlike a large ramp that would either be torn down or never used. The outdoor spaces breaking up the living spaces allow for natural light to penetrate deeply into the house. This will help tremendously as shotgun homes are generally located within close proximity of each other, blocking the majority of natural light entering through the sides of the home. A large front porch was incorporated into the design, keeping with traditional New Orleans shotgun home neighborhoods. This helps shade the interior space from the warm midday summer sun and acts as another outdoor extension of the house. Owners of the house will never be more than a few feet away from having access to the outdoor environment. All east-west walls throughout the 'living zone' incorporate a sliding door system. This will allow the entire zone to be 'opened' throughout the day, maximizing fresh air circulation. With the overhangs and the large expanse of sliding doors and operable windows, the house should maintain a very comfortable temperature throughout the warm summer months. Following the concept of movement, Sliding wood clad screens aid in the protection of the glazing during the harsh storm elements. On top of the finished floor surface, Number 7 incorporates prefabricated structurally insulated panels (SIP) in order to cut down on site construction and labor costs. Due to the modular layout of the house, most structurally insulated panels will be of exact or similar dimensions, making the prefabricating process simple and quick. Half of Number 7 is clad in a horizontally oriented reclaimed wood, wrapping the service and spine of the house. The remaining is clad in a vertically oriented Hardie Panel, finished with a deep red color. Two contrasting materials and colors express the interior layout onto the exterior facade. The site and landscape is minimal in respect to the using shade trees, shrubs and native grasses common to the regional environment. The area under the house allow for storage, a vehicle and a water collection system. The current system is for rainwater only, but with an upgrade to the home, a filtration system could be added for grey water. The front and back yards provide open space to allow for larger activities. The front yard acts as a multi functional space with its green driveway, grasscrete or pavers could be added. Number 7 is open allowing for visibility of the components that make the house function. Individuals can easily understand the sustainable ideas of the passive home. The operable systems and the connection to the landscape display the relation the house has with its environment and context without looking like a science experiment. Number 7 is plausible, simple and transparent.

CURRENTLY ON HOLD Project Description Outline 1. Activate an under utilized public space by use of an art/architectural intervention to alter the spatial reading and relationship to the broader context 2. Create a link between architectural, planning, and/or art theory with practice by the process of making a. Understand existing context b. Develop a concept for urban intervention c. Emphasis on practicality of building 3. Create awareness and motivate public to care for their urban spaces a. Projects should have an educational or informational component 4. Develop a learning & experimentation tool for architects, artists, and planners a. Research b. Explore themes i. Materiality ii. Spatial experience iii. Contextual analysis iv. Formal concepts v. Social & cultural relationships c. Financial Plan (fundraising) to cover costs of building materials Preliminary Project Process (Schedule) 1. Site selection (choose from identified sites) 2. Research a. Public space installation precedents b. Site Analysis 3. Present project idea at AfH-SF Chapter General Body Meeting for Critique 4. Develop working drawings and cost estimates to set goals for fundraising 5. Hold fundraising event to offset the cost of building materials 6. Build Build Build!

Sorry, a project description has not been provided.

Sorry, a project description has not been provided.