Focus week 1 (12-16 October 2009)

FOCUS 1 - PERSONAL EXTENTED STUDY  

I will be looking at sustainable forms of landscape design and architecure.  My intention is to use my discoveries as an influence for potential future projects.  

Lofted Forest Home: Organic Curves & Natural Materials

I have always been in interested in tree house design since I was very young so I have put together a selection of my favourite tree house designs that I'm sure will give me inspiration for my future projects.  

My own words: I find this tree house very impressive. I really like the texture of the wood and how the unique lines of the structure are - apparently random but in fact seem to follow the flow of the surrounding trees. This tree house gives me ideas on how to create a luxury tree house within forest environment as one of my personal pursuits. The detailing on the structure is impressive and the shapes of the building are rounded and easy on the eye. The minimal use of exterier finishings expose the wood to the elements and establish the building within its natural setting. I would imagine this is a hidden retreat but I like the idea it could be part of a larger community of similar homes in the same location.

More over: Good things come to those who wait – particularly in a work of uniquely detailed and highly curved architecture. Nearly a decade in the making, this structure by Robert Harvey Oshatz is much like a tree house – lofted toward the top of the canopy around it – only bigger, grander, more complex and curved than most any tree house in the world.  The perimeter of the structure is pushed out into the forest around it, curving in and out to create views as well as a sense of intimacy with the coniferous and deciduous tree cover. The wood and metal detailing is incredible in its variety and customization – each piece designed to fit a particular form and function. Wood and stone carry naturalistic themes from the outside in and even the metal looks naturally rusted.

The curved, organic mix of materials continues to the interior of this elevated forest home – a conceptual play on the fluidity and complexity of music (the source of inspiration for the architect and client in the design). A sense of organic flow carries on from one interior space to the next.

 

 Wooden Wonderland: Massive Lofted Treehouse Design

 My own words: This is one of my favourite tree houses because it is so massive! It's size makes you feel like a kid again - promising adventure, exploring the nooks and crannies of the building, imagining the place as a fortress against an invisble enemy.  Its multiple rooms and passage ways are almost entirley made from sustainable timber. It is characteristically elevated above ground level giving its occupants a fantastic view of the tree canopy as apposed to ground level. A visit to see this tree house would give me first hand experience of the feeling it creates allowing me to really learn more about the concepts of tree dwellings.

 

More over: More like a tree mansion than a mere house, this lumbering structure is (unfortunately) not as old, haphazard and full of mystery as it might first appear. Nonetheless impressive, it was commissioned by the Duke of Northumberland in the early 2000s as part of his castle complex and the associated Alnwick Gardens. 

Despite its less-than-thrilling origins it is still an amazing work of architecture, lifted on support logs angling up from below and intertwined with trees large and small piercing the structure all around. The building is littered with decks in both plan and section, windows and other ways to look out and experience the surroundings and is accessed by a broad wooden rope bridge from behind. While it might not be as cobbled-together and structurally improbable as it first seems it is certainly a playful treehouse the likes of which most of us could not have even dreamed as children.

Rustic Modern: Earth, Wood & Steel High-Desert Home

 For my focus project I have chosen to look at a collection of existing and conceptual design proposals in the areas of architecture and landscape architecture. I've discovered many interesting proposals which catch my eye and give me inspiration for my designs. These design proposals are important to me because I'm especially interested in sustainable architecture, sub-urban and urban landscape projects.

 












My own thoughts: I can see myself living in a house like that. I picticualry like the bold horizontal and virtical lines because as well as being positioned to capture and maximize the potential of the building, they are also made from rammed earth from the surounding environment. I think this design looks mordern yet with a natural asthetic chractoristic resulting in a master peace of  architecture.  I'm impressed with idea of bringing the outside in i.e, the natural colours, textures and materials and epecially how they are exhibited by the broad horizontal and virtical lines of this building.

More over:

Weathering steel shows intentional rust to blend the house with the surrounding hues of the natural landscape, while rammed earth bricks add to the effect while also making use of local Eco-friendly materials – the color of the clay naturally matching the surrounding dirt from which it came. Wood accents add another layer, cut in simple patterns so their variation speaks for itself. The interior design exhibits similarly variegated colors and textures but is likewise Modernist in shape and form.There is something about the high-desert prairie lands that indeed seems to invite the long lines and simple naturalistic materials that date back to Frank Lloyd Wright and the so-called Prairie Style approach to designing and building homes. In this case, however, novel techniques and new materials make this modern desert residence a kind of bridge between the stylistic past and a more sustainable future. The interplay of void and solid, spaces and planes, that define this structure (designed by Pique) are more then merely modernist affectations in section and plan – they are a means of blocking out excess solar energy while capturing natural light, leading it all the way to the basement of the building. These more contemporary, rational and linear moves are also balanced by rustic colors and rusted materials. Find out more at www.dornob.com

‘Invisible’ Set of Green Homes to be Hidden Underground

Going green does not just mean eco-friendly building systems and sustainable construction materials. It can also imply a blending with the landscape – an implied recognition that our structures come second to nature. That, at least, is the idea behind this set of remarkable modern underground home designs commissioned by Michael Hill.

 The design concept revolves around privacy but also around maintaining natural beauty and the seclusion that comes with being in a truly natural setting. While small outdoor fireplaces and courtyards will be permitted much of the design of these homes is interior-focused, including libraries and wine cellars.

My own thoughts:

I like the idea of literally having a house hidden within the landscape because not only does it remain minimal in its overall impact, it uses its location to its advantage with the use of geo-thermal hot water pipes and earth insulted walls and celing to keep the building warm in winter and cool in summer. Electricty would be anouther factor in this design because it may be the case where electricity is remote so incorperating solar panals could be an option.













 Rock the House: Bizarre Rural Boulder & Stone Home Design

It seems too strange to be real – a home emerging from a set of giant stones, seemingly cut out of the rock itself. Yet there it stands in rural Portgual with the pictures and video to prove it. No, it is not an optical illusion nor a fancy photo-editing job … this is the real deal. As the television interview illustrates, the home is truly bordered by two boulders that inform the interior spaces – but it is also filled in with smaller stones to finish the effect. Crooked windows complete the curious picture on the outside while rough-cut log furniture, stairs and railings add to the organic feel of the interior spaces. Of course, this design is naturally eco-friendly as it incorporates local materials and more natural elements requiring less energy to turn into structural supports, finishes or cladding.

Inspired by none other than the Flintstones, this is not a work of installation art nor a themed hotel – it is simply the private residence of one person who saw a unique design opportunity and creatively integrated the natural environment while constructing his custom home on hill with a view (images via Jsome).

 Floating Sustainable Ocean Cities

The Lilypad Project may be one of the most complex and forward-thinking green design projects ever conceived. Each individual ‘pad’ is structured to be a self-sustaining city that can travel the world’s oceans and rescue refugees due to disasters and rising sea levels. They would be powered by a combination of thermal, tidal, solar and wind energy and each would have a huge capacity – housing up to a half-million people a piece. The three-dimensionally complex design creates hills and valleys as well as recreational, commercial and residential spaces, giving them an organic complexity that makes them somehow believable as places where humans could live out entire lifetimes. (Source)

My Own Words:  From looking at other similar designs, this concept stands out to me. I think is a fasinating concept for a future community developtment. Im blown away by the ambitious nature of the proposal. The idea of living out at sea on a floating eco island is an amazing vision. As the worlds population inevitably increases, the need to move out to the oceans will become ever more important. I can already see this design taking off especially in somewhere like Dubai because there are houndreds of ambitius concepts like this one. Looking at the first image of the concept, you see the structure continues under water providing underwater views for the occupants! I would imagine this to be a truly awsome view .Getting on and off of the floating island would require a vast boat port for all its occupants. Going by the images these eco islands would be situated offshore not to far from land due to the limits of submersible equiptment (needed to secure the floating island to the floor)

Focus Week 1 - Inivative Eco Homes (12-16th October 2009)

Rustic Modern: Earth, Wood & Steel High-Desert Home

 For my focus project I have chosen to look at a collection of existing and conceptual design proposals in the areas of architecture and landscape architecture. I've discovered many interesting proposals which catch my eye and give me inspiration for my designs. These design proposals are important to me because I'm especially interested in sustainable architecture, sub-urban and urban landscape projects.

 












My own thoughts: I can see myself living in a house like that. I picticualry like the bold horizontal and virtical lines because as well as being positioned to capture and maximize the potential of the building, they are also made from rammed earth from the surounding environment. I think this design looks mordern yet with a natural asthetic chractoristic resulting in a master peace of  architecture.  I'm impressed with idea of bringing the outside in i.e, the natural colours, textures and materials and epecially how they are exhibited by the broad horizontal and virtical lines of this building.

More over:

Weathering steel shows intentional rust to blend the house with the surrounding hues of the natural landscape, while rammed earth bricks add to the effect while also making use of local Eco-friendly materials – the color of the clay naturally matching the surrounding dirt from which it came. Wood accents add another layer, cut in simple patterns so their variation speaks for itself. The interior design exhibits similarly variegated colors and textures but is likewise Modernist in shape and form.There is something about the high-desert prairie lands that indeed seems to invite the long lines and simple naturalistic materials that date back to Frank Lloyd Wright and the so-called Prairie Style approach to designing and building homes. In this case, however, novel techniques and new materials make this modern desert residence a kind of bridge between the stylistic past and a more sustainable future. The interplay of void and solid, spaces and planes, that define this structure (designed by Pique) are more then merely modernist affectations in section and plan – they are a means of blocking out excess solar energy while capturing natural light, leading it all the way to the basement of the building. These more contemporary, rational and linear moves are also balanced by rustic colors and rusted materials. Find out more at www.dornob.com

‘Invisible’ Set of Green Homes to be Hidden Underground

Going green does not just mean eco-friendly building systems and sustainable construction materials. It can also imply a blending with the landscape – an implied recognition that our structures come second to nature. That, at least, is the idea behind this set of remarkable modern underground home designs commissioned by Michael Hill.

 The design concept revolves around privacy but also around maintaining natural beauty and the seclusion that comes with being in a truly natural setting. While small outdoor fireplaces and courtyards will be permitted much of the design of these homes is interior-focused, including libraries and wine cellars.

My own thoughts:

I like the idea of literally having a house hidden within the landscape because not only does it remain minimal in its overall impact, it uses its location to its advantage with the use of geo-thermal hot water pipes and earth insulted walls and celing to keep the building warm in winter and cool in summer. Electricty would be anouther factor in this design because it may be the case where electricity is remote so incorperating solar panals could be an option.













 Rock the House: Bizarre Rural Boulder & Stone Home Design

It seems too strange to be real – a home emerging from a set of giant stones, seemingly cut out of the rock itself. Yet there it stands in rural Portgual with the pictures and video to prove it. No, it is not an optical illusion nor a fancy photo-editing job … this is the real deal. As the television interview illustrates, the home is truly bordered by two boulders that inform the interior spaces – but it is also filled in with smaller stones to finish the effect. Crooked windows complete the curious picture on the outside while rough-cut log furniture, stairs and railings add to the organic feel of the interior spaces. Of course, this design is naturally eco-friendly as it incorporates local materials and more natural elements requiring less energy to turn into structural supports, finishes or cladding.

Inspired by none other than the Flintstones, this is not a work of installation art nor a themed hotel – it is simply the private residence of one person who saw a unique design opportunity and creatively integrated the natural environment while constructing his custom home on hill with a view (images via Jsome).

 Floating Sustainable Ocean Cities

The Lilypad Project may be one of the most complex and forward-thinking green design projects ever conceived. Each individual ‘pad’ is structured to be a self-sustaining city that can travel the world’s oceans and rescue refugees due to disasters and rising sea levels. They would be powered by a combination of thermal, tidal, solar and wind energy and each would have a huge capacity – housing up to a half-million people a piece. The three-dimensionally complex design creates hills and valleys as well as recreational, commercial and residential spaces, giving them an organic complexity that makes them somehow believable as places where humans could live out entire lifetimes. (Source)

My Own Words:  From looking at other similar designs, this concept stands out to me. I think is a fasinating concept for a future community developtment. Im blown away by the ambitious nature of the proposal. The idea of living out at sea on a floating eco island is an amazing vision. As the worlds population inevitably increases, the need to move out to the oceans will become ever more important. I can already see this design taking off especially in somewhere like Dubai because there are houndreds of ambitius concepts like this one. Looking at the first image of the concept, you see the structure continues under water providing underwater views for the occupants! I would imagine this to be a truly awsome view .Getting on and off of the floating island would require a vast boat port for all its occupants. Going by the images these eco islands would be situated offshore not to far from land due to the limits of submersible equiptment (needed to secure the floating island to the floor)

Land Art

Nils-Udo-giant-stick-basket

For focus week I decided to pursue my interests in Land Art. I have always been interested in Land Art so I've selected several case studies that could be inspirational and benificial to my work. 

 Andrew Goldworthy

Inspirational art from Andrew Goldsworthy using  stones, rocks, trees, leaves and ice. 

My own words: I like what andrew goldsworthy has done with this collection of coloured leaves.

I like the princible of using natural material as art because the art itself is the environment.  An ice sculpture clinging to a tree which has been "trained" to form a sprial creates an interesting feature. 

 Patrick Dougherty

Dougherty’s works allude to nests, cocoons, hives,

 and lairs built by animals, as well as the [artificial] forms

 of huts, haystacks, and baskets, created by interweaving branches

and twigs together. Many of his works look ‘found’ rather than

made” Trained originally as a carpenter, Dougherty skipped

backward from the finished material of cut-and-dried wood straight

to the source: saplings grown, bent and built into magnificent

 works of natural and architectural sculpture. As part of this

 process his designs plan in elements of unpredictability, growth

 and eventual destruction – there is no attempt to maintain the

works beyond as certain point which are, eventually, left to

 return to natural states slowly and beautifully.

My words: The nature of the material he uses is palpable thus being able to bend and flex the wood to suit. This kind of construction is interesting and worth remembering for future ideas. His work is intentionally temporary and could easily be lost to nature if not maintained. Becuase of this, his work attaches a "sell by date" which makes it much more poignant.  

Patrick Dougherty's website

Other Landscape Art

The story of this strange land sculpture garden is almost

 as unusual as the curiously representational earth art found

within it. The so-called Lost Gardens of Heligan were once

overgrown, lost and forgotten but are now one of the most

 popular botanical gardens in the UK. One intrepid explorer

 took it upon himself to locate, uncover and restore the gardens

 to their former glory. To the amazement of locals the then-unused

land was brought back to full flower and became a significant

 boon for the local economy – the mud man and moss maiden shown above being also restored in the process.

My Words: I like these sculptures because they demonstrate the kinds of creativity you can fabricate out of the natural environment.

Growing Buildings

 My own words:  This kind of construction appeals to me because I find its a very pure type of construction. I like the resourceful'ness and how the artist can still turn to nature to make something aw-inspiring.  The vision of making a structure composed of basic natural materials become sensational architecture, is truly creditable.

Bench Art

What starts with an underlying functional form in the work of artist Pablo Reinoso often gets carried away as his furniture pieces begin to take on lives of their own. The crawling tendrils and stretched figures that emerge are rendered all the more exotic by his defiant use of hard wood with soft organic forms.

This designer is perhaps most well known for his remarkable wooden spaghetti benches in which the normal ends of wood slats become the beginning of a seemingly living form that twists and turns away from the conventional shape of the bench itself – and just imagine what an outdoor version of this bench would look like against, for example, an ivy-covered brick wall.

Upcoming Events

A list of events I'll be looking at attending this year:

 ::Ecobuild::

Runs from 2nd March 2010 until 4th March 2010

Ecobuild is the world's biggest event for sustainable design, construction and the built environment.

Combining an 850 exhibitor-strong product showcase with more than 100 free conference and seminar sessions and dozens of interactive educational attractions, Ecobuild connects formal learning with practical experience, and with products and suppliers.

Location: Earls Court, London

Click here for more information

::UK AWARE::

Runs from 16th April 2010 until 17th April 2010

UK AWARE is the UK's only green and ethical lifestyle exhibition, and will bring together 200 exhibitors, 15,000 visitors, 100 low carbon vehicles and over 50 world class guest speakers.

Exhibitors will be showcasing thousands of products and services ranging from cars to computers, from fashion to food and from travel to advice services.

Location: Olympia Two, London

Click here for more information

::Introduction to self-building an Earthship::

Runs from 17th April 2010 until 18th April 2010

This is a two-day course run at Earthship Brighton in partnership with Brighton Permaculture Trust.

The course is for anyone thinking about building their own home and anyone interested in learning about Earthships. It is suitable for complete beginners, as well as those who are familiar with eco-building and want to know more.

Click here for more information

::Short Course: Rammed Earth Building - 2 Days::

Runs from 9th June 2010 until 10th June 2010

Learn to build using what mother nature provides, within my own Rammed Earth Eco-Shed on The Norfolk Broads!

This fun and friendly course will be held over two days and will cover all the essential areas of building with rammed earth. We will cover many topics together and you will take away the confidence to go forward and complete a project of your own.

Location: Norfolk Broads

Click here for more information