DIAGRAMS

Floor Plan


Zoning



Pink: Sharing Zone

Red: Semi Public Zone

Blue: Private Zone

Yellow: Emply Zone

EXPLORATION5: Human bodies

STRUCTURE OF HUMAN BODY



I have been kept concerning about human behaviours and occupant comforts since assignment 1, such as connection with family, nature, relaxation zones and so on....




Now I have decided to design a whole families block, so I want to have maximum possibility of sharing zones. I believe it produces a sense of connection and comfort.




Again, I can express my main concept "BIRTH-DEATH" by creating active and inactive spaces. However, I reckon I need sub-active space in this time.

1. BIRTH: ACTIVE ( because starting to be active to live, and they are pure mind without any distructs)



2. LIVE: MID-ACTIVE (because there are waves between good time and bad time during this time)



3. DEATH: INACTIVE (because ends an entire life)

Now I have decided internal views...

So I start to concern about external view of houses...


As my concept "BIRTH-DEATH" and futher explorations are strongly corresponding to human behaviours and activities, I studied the structure of human body. This would help me to develop the surface of houses and structural attempts. As I have mentioned in the previous studies, I want to use Japanese Traditional Structure skills. However, I want to concern about sustainable architecture as well.



Well, I have mainly studied of 3 points;



All of these parts of bodies has meanings that I have chosen.

1. skin: Shelter, protection from outside---------surface



2. muscle: power (giving evergy to tenants)-----water supply/ ventilation/ natural light



3. bone: supports -------------------------------structure

I reckon I can apply ribs structure effectively with Japanese traditional construction skills.I have used these 3 points to develop my internal views as well;

1. Skin: providing a sense of secure, and privacy



2. muscle: providing connection of family, and relaxation zones to release their tireness



3. bone: sharing zones, helping each other

I have examined expectable human behaviours in their house. Especially, we can know that children will do unexpectable movements, so I need to expect crazy behaviours may be happened (play ground).

This is the images of expectable poses when they are relaxing.

EXPLORATION4: my wonder

MY WONDER....

I has got an special interest (wonder) toward our future world.

At the moment, we has kept building graves around our houses when somebody died. It is likely that we are living AROUND grave, cemetery. Especially, we have cemeteries everywhere in Japanese, sometimes next to our house.

BUT, what happen we keep making graves?

It will be that we are living IN cemetery.... How scary it is!!!!




I have heard that Swiss nations buy a grave for 20 years, and they would dig up bodies after 20 years. However, I am sure nobody want to dig up their family's died bodies from graves. They must wish family's repose in the grave. Is anyone want to have a house on land where was cemetery? It may be able to use as a public space/facility.




However, if we can have this system, I reckon we can use these unusable spaces for other purposes.




Taigougun



Taigougun is a concrete shelter for hiding combat planes in World War 2. It is located everywhere in Japan. Japanese old nation fights shy of its existence still. Even many of people hate to see those buidlings which are related to war. Japanese government want to keep these building for mamorial reason as a historical heriage. However, unfortunately due to the construction boom, we are losing these historical heriages. But as many of people do not want to keep it, it is totally unusuable spaces.












Some of these concrete shelter has been used as a memorial buildings for educational purposes. Hoever, this shelter has been decided to be used as storages for a granary.

This was an air-raid shelter in World War 2. As I mentioned, most of people do not like to keep these places, there is no use. However, it had been used as houses for poor people who needed a special support from government.

These are only a few examples to use unusable spaces.

Well....This post is only for satisfying my wonder. I hope/may be able to develop my concept from this exploration.

EXPLORATION3: Gave and Ancient Tomb

Where a concept of "BIRTH-DEATH" comes from:

I am designing a block for my client's whole families to live and leave from temporal to heaven, and give a birth to other new genelation. I want to design a house that his future families derive a block from my client. Although my client pass away, he is spiritually and memorially existing in the block, and in his future families' heart. It is like a memorial house (box) for his entire families. I do not want his families forget him or grandparents, grand grand parents.

Anyway...

As my concept strongly relates to "BIRTH-DEATH"

I studied about DEATH, Grave and ancient tomb.

Here are some images of Japanese ancient tombs in Yayoi Period;

This is the most comman external shape of ancient tomb, called "Zenpoukoen-fun". It is like a cave internally and queen's cave is located in the underground. Most of "Zenpoukoen-fun" is more than 100 meters long. Longest tomb is located in Daizen, 486 meters long which is longer than Pyramid 230meter long. These tomb was meant to be built to show authority and memorial reason.

These are the other shape of ancient tomb, was constructed in another period. I like these shapes and materiality that they has used rock. Although the size of tomb is much smaller than the othertype, there is a sense of existence!!!! The grave is also located in the underground, and like a maze to go down. This is an actual grave inside of ancient tomb. It has a similality with the structure of Pyramit. Beautifully designed....It looks like a lurking place. In fact, people wished the king repose to design these graves. Therefore, The purpose for this space is for resting, relaxation for their king. I may use this idea for designing an external bathroom(sharing).

Now I have found a connection between "DEATH" and "RELAXATION (repose)"

There are so many projections. I may use for the structure of kids' play ground.

EXPLORATION2: Relationship between Japanese Buddhism and Construction

Quick Analysis:

There is various key points, but I have mainly interested in 3 things.

1. Respecting nature



2. building becomes a part of landscape



3. distinctive thought of "Birth-Death"

DISTINCTIVE THOUGHT of "Birth-Death"

Origin of characters

Firstly, I have found that there is a different type of language in Buddhism as they have distinctive thoughts and believes.

Usually, Since Japanese people recognise "BIRTH" and "DEATH" as different events, we have separated characters for each "BIRTH-生" and "DEATH-死".

Alternatively, Buddhism is expressed "BIRTH and DEATH" by a word (Fig 1). They combine 2 distinctive words together to create a word to express "BIRTH and DEATH". They also pronouce it differently.

Why...? I feel so curious...

An explanation said that Buddism believes "BIRTH" and "DEATH" are happened together (a same evet). The "BIRTH" and "DEATH" are always circulating in the Buddism World.

According to this thought, Buddhism are respecting "Nature" and any kinds of circulation(和）, such as human activity(Anthropology), botany and zoology.

The Structure of Japanese Traditional building has been developed by these buddhism backgraoud. They focus on how they can assimilate with nature, landscape. How they can organise a well circulation and connection in buildings. They always consider about human activities and the effects of nature.

As I attached some pictures of Japanese Traditional Structure previously, they are using natural materials to have maximum results of light, ventilation and connection with nature.

Further Development of my story:Monster Parents

One day, an avoidable fire incident was occurred in the schoo. Since fire alerm system did not operate properly due to the lack of maintanance, teachers and students could not notice until smoke pervaded the air in everywhere. A teacher lucky smelled smoky air and give an emergent announcement to all teachers and students. "A fire is breaking out in the boiler room. Please evacuate immediately. It is not exercise! Please cover your mouth and nouse to go out! Do not panic!"

Teachers reacted to this announcement before students get panic. They started to evaculate, but when they opened the door, smoke came into the classroom. Everyone started to cough. A teacher asked all students to open windows to ventilate air. Finally, they were merely able to see the floor. Anyway, all students managed to evacuate safely to ovall.

On the other day, a student's parent came to school to claim for such unsecure evacuation. Mother was holding her son's shoulder and said, "It is totally not acceptable!!!! I believe you guys to look after my dear. Even I am investing extra money for this school to improve its system. I cannot say it is the best gift for us that my dear got an extreme health condition because of you. I have heard that fire alerm did not operate properly, and that is why this worst thing has been happened. Now I have a big question whether I should continue to send my children to this school. I believe that all parents have the same opinion. What was classroom monitor doing everyday?!!!! and What were you doing everyday in school?!!!! I hereby request a proper purnishment to whoever they have to!!!!! Otherwise I make up my mind to go to the educational department and court."

Principle finally opened his mouth slowly. " Well, I am sorry to everyone who has been victims of this such incident. This is definately our fault that we could not avoid happening fire incident and could not findling a problem of fire alert system. I hereby fire our classroom monitor and send him to the special school to have strict lessons. OF COURSE, I also retire myself."

Mother said, " That is a good idea, but if you really feel guilty, you must work on improving systems and keep students' safe everyday."

In 10 minutes....

Steven was asked to come to the principle room. When he opened the door, principle did not wait him to come closer to say, " You fired!!!!! I will send you to the special Training School for extra lessons. This is the only way to solve this problem. Someone have to have a purnishment to settle down. AND IT IS YOU!!!!! Please leave school."

Steven was shocked out by what principle said, felt a lump in her throat. " I disappointed you! You try to thrust all blame on me to escape from your blames. I AM FINE!!! You do not need to pretend kind to send me to the special school. LOOK!!!!! WATCH YOUR BACK!!!!"

After he went home, he stayed indoors himself. Even he did not talk with his family for a few week. Finally, he made his mind that he would revenge to all of people who treated him as shit. He suddenly has a brainstorm...... " SOFTWARE....I am good at computing....Create a new software who has been ever able to design."

From that day. I stay in his room and started to make a new software....

1year later...

He finally successed to create a new software. He had been one of most famous computer programmer in the world. When he had uncountable money in his hand, he has realised he lost some many precious things instead, such as connection with his families and friends.

He started to wish his whole families' happiness and try to fix relationship. He has decided to buy a block to have a place where his whole families can stay and live together, and enjoy together. I does not want to lose any of his precious family and friends anymore.

He secretely planed it with an architect.

His requests;

1. share spaces
2. space that he can help each other
3. space that he can have a party with friends and family
4. connection with families
5. houses that he can derive to his children, grandchildren......his future family
6. relaxation zone where he can heal himself

EXPLORATION1-Concept

Long Generation to Live



A 3-4 Related family House




1, Young Generation

2, Old Generations

3, Kids







I want a whole family (Client's family, Both Grandparents) live in my design of 4square house.




For instance,




1st Generation:

Steven, his wife, 3 lovely daughters

Grandparents

Grandparents

Rent (having self business)




2nd Generation:

Steven, his wife, 2Lovely daughters

Grandparents

Grandparents

Daughter's family (a daughter has married)


3rd Generation:

Steven, his wife

Daughter's family(2-3 children)

Daughter's family(2-3 children)

Daughter's family(2-3 children)






continue this formation....




They can swap houses depends on their daily demands.




Basically, I am going to design 2 distinctive houses.



One for young family include 4 bedrooms, and a large openness for party. As young family often have children, I want to use a concept "connection of family" from assignment1.

The other design is for old generation families (Grandparents). So they do not need many rooms and spaces, but it is better to have much storages for them to store their memorial staffs. The hause is better to be enclosed without void in order to avoi heat-loss in the house. It may assist to improve their health level, no joint pain...etc....

As old generation families do not require large space, they can invest their land in having sharing space. So they do not need to feel loneliness.

In order to provide a sense of security for both yong and old generation families, I want to connect each house by designing external corridor and terrance. So They can keep both privacy and security each others whenever they needs.

For garage, I want to have a sharing spaces again, including facilities of external bathroom, BBQ kitchen and play groung for children.

Advantages of duplex house;


having an interactive relationship (FAMILYSHIP)

able to help/nurce old generations

old generations does not feel loneliness, they feel secure

Educational benefits from grandparents to children

Even both mother + father are working, grandparents can take care of their grandchildren




Anyway, if I want to design a house derived from generation by generation for long period, I needs to design a house that keeps being loved for a long time, and it has to be able to bear any damages.


I have noticed that Most of Japanese traditional houses or buildings has been built more than 200-300 years ago. Of course, They have been mentained several times in 200-300 years. What I interested in is its high construction skills. The Japanese traditional construction skills permit to have a needless of demolishing buildings and not to have a problem of construction waste.


Due to the deterioration of Global warming, before we regret of our attitude toward this crisis, we have to expect that everywhere has high possibility to have unexpectable natural disasters.


The Japanese Traditional construction is the design which can bear a numerous earthquakes during last 200-300 years.


Here are some images;










As these images described, they only uses 100% natural materials.

Number of cars in this block;


It is not able to keep a consistency of number of cars through different generations. However, I can expect that they do not really require to use vehicle for whole day. Although, they use it for commuting, they have to pay to park their cars in the city. So they are better to take public transports for commuting. It is also environmentally friendly.





As they do not require to use vehicle for entire day. I have developed a car sustem in this block.



It is a booking system. When they need to use a car, they book a car during that time.





For example;

1. when they want to pick up children




2. when going to shopping




3. when going to hospital




4. when having a meeting

Usually they use a car to satisfy their daily needs, but in the case, when they have 2 bookings together, we need minimum 2 cars at least.

Submission 1- equus

12pictures

General Information
Client: Classroom monitor
Name: Steven
Location: Brisbane
Age: 32
Family: wife and 3 children
It can be assumed that my client may suffer from several physical and psychological symptoms (Refer to the previous posts). As a result of such a harmful conditions, he is depressing everyday. He wants to have relaxation and stability in his life, so I avoided having funky enterior views for design. It helps him to get himself together when he comes home. In order to heal his symptoms, I have decided to concentrate on how “house” can be the main element to comfort and relax my client. In another word, how architecture is able to create occupant comfort to their client. I used Japanese Traditional Strategies of relaxation and western traditional dwelling.


Plan1-Arrangement1
The good dwelling has to include sufficient ventilation system, breeze paths and sunlight to have occupant comfort. Who can relax with unclean air? For the first design, I have designed a house with VENTILATION TOWER (Exploration from traditional dwellings).That helps unclean air to exit from the top. Alternatively, when weather is cold, we can shut the tower’s door. Therefore, the house can keep warmth whenever it needs (Refer to Diagram 2).

This is the external view of the first model. I tended to use Japanese traditional strategies of dwelling since the weather in Brisbane is similar to Japan.

This is a picture of living room and dinning room (refer to the previous posts of floor plans and diagram of zoning). I have used 3 strategies to improve occupant comfort, including ventilation system, natural lighting system and connection with family.



Natural light is the one of most important source to have better occupant comfort. Although I calculated external eaves and vertical/ horizontal louvers, it could not be managed to bring maximum natural light to living area and private area. Especially it was hard to have light into bedrooms due to the preferable arrangement of zoning. Consequently, I have used mirror reflection to bring natural light to the entire house(Refer to diagram2). It could be very expensive to remote-control the mirrors systematically, so I have placed a lot of distinctive shapes of mirrors in the living room next to the bedroom (First floor). It looks like many stars (Mirrors) in the sky (Ceiling) at night.

The second attempt is a connection with family (refer to diagram3). It is psychologically comfortable that we can feel someone is just next to and where you can talk easily. It produces a sense of security to all family members that is one of the main source to have a comfortable space and time in the house. I have designed a connection between living areas (ground floor) to all private bedrooms (1st floor) including children’s rooms.
Furthermore, many kinds of family problems are occurred by a lack of communication these days. What if there is a space to have a connection with family since young? The space and time are the most important to have family and a nice mood in the house.
This is a view from the separated bathroom. As I mentioned in a previous post, the bathroom is not only a purpose to clean body. It is also for relaxing and a place for relieving tiredness. I have produced a connection between external garden and bathroom. It produces a sense of opening and enjoyable views. I also have used one of Japanese traditional material, calls Hinoki. Hikoki has very nice smell especially when it has been wet. It is said that there is an effect of an aroma (aromatherapy).


Plan1-Arrangement2

This is my 2nd model. I have re-arranged internal spaces (zoning).Please refer to the previous post for floor plans. The 3 strategies which I have introduced above are effectively applied in this model as well. I also gave an essence of art for this model.

For this model, I have produced another relaxation space. I have research about Japanese traditional culture again here. The external corridor is used as the main relaxation area in Japanese tradition. They enjoy tea, external views, smells, winds, and birds’ song and so on… That is always a question that what makes people comfort. In fact, I have external corridors in my house in Japan. I believe that the nature is the one which only can comfort/ relax human beings. In the process of planning, I placed a special emphasis on my instinctive answer. Therefore, I attempted to design a continuous external corridor as a main zone in this model. It also brings well circulation system in this house. Additionally, as houses in Brisbane require having eaves to avoid having sunshine in summer, the corridor space also works as an eave. The gap between living space to garden helps to design without ugly eaves around the house.

How it can be functioned is thhe client can sit there to relax with nature. Children also can play around. Therefore it also produces a connection with family.

ARRANGEMENT1

This is a picture of my 3rd model. Please refer to the previous post for floor plans.

The strategy, ‘connection with family’, bathroom and external corridor for relaxation spaces which I have introduced above are effectively applied in this model as well. However, I have applied the connection with family in the other way (refer to Diagram3). I concentrated on the typical characteristics of Australian. They often open home parties. The house has to be able to proud of something. I have deigned kitchen as the main unit in this model. The kitchen is located in the central between living and dinning room. I have attempted to have maximum communication in the living areas. The lack of communication tends to be occurred in the kitchen. To place kitchen at the central of house, everyone can see mother is cooking. Then children are easy to come to help. Everyone loves to come to kitchen to have a conversation or activity. I also produced an internal garden around kitchen. It brings natural light to entire house.

PLAN2-ARRANGEMENT2

For the 4th model, I have gathered all concepts.

• Connection with family
  Bathroom and external corridor as relaxation spaces
  Ventilation tower
  Lighting system

Submission 1- equus

EXTRA INFORMATION

DIAGRAMS

DIAGRAM1DIAGRAM2DIAGRAM3

DIAGRAM4: DECONSTRUCTION-Site Analysis

PLAN1-ARRANGEMENT1

DIAGRAM 5
PLAN2-ARRANGEMENT1

Inspiration of his work + Reflection to the shapes of design

• PC:square frame, transparent screen
  
• Mouse: round shape
• Body shape: Fat
  

I inspired my client is not active person who is working on computer in the dark. But his face would be illuminated by light of the screen.... The shape of PC, mouse (something around him) reflected to form my first model. I applied transperant materials with least frames. As he wants to have stability and relaxation, the shape of house have to be ordinary shapes to reflect his will.

I also designed both active and inactive zones to express his personality and work.

Inactivective: his attitude toward job, his work

Active: his desire, attitude toward family, and his future

This picture gave me an inspiration of lighting system to use mirror reflection. It looks like stars are twinkling in the sky when PCs are turned on....

Hopefully He will have an enjoyable life with his new house^_^

Studies from SketchUp

++++++STUDIES++++++
VENTILATION (on PLAN1-ARRANGEMENT1)
<-SECTION_CUT in SketchUp
The good dwelling has to include well ventilation system to have occupant comfort. Who can relax with unfresh air? Who can sleep? Especially the place where i am investigating is Brisbane (Hot wether), the house has to have some kinds of ventilation system...As you know, warm unfresh air tend to go up and stay there without exit. As there are always numberous wisdoms of the life which was adapted to distinctive climate and traditions, I have looked up many traditional dwellings. There is a similarity between western dwelling (hot weather) and Asian dwelling (hot/ warm weather). The dwelling ( for hot temparate) has to have a vent and gaps between ground to house. Well, I have designed a house with VENTILATION TOWER (above). This is only for experiment...hehe


++++Psychological attempt++++
Connection between family members


It is comfortable that we can feel someone is just next to...where you can talk easily. Having a sense of security is one of main source to have a comfortable space.















SUN-STUDY (PLAN1-ARRANGEMENT1)



Red: able to have sun from 7am-5pm

Green: able to have sun from 12pm-5pm

Orange: only able to have sun in the afternoon

Yellow: only able to have sun in the morning


Well, The relaxation areas (Bathroom, living room, external corridor) are able to have maximum 70% of natural sunlight everyday in winter.





1) The mirror reflection to split natural sunlight to entire house.

It is like Genzyme Headquaters in Cambridge....which I have studied in multistorey...

This is Genzyme Headquaters designed by Behnisch and Partners..



-78% of workers in this building are able to receive at least 2% of natural light everyday in every seasons.
-58% of employees are being more productive in their work.
-Reduced 5% of sickness, and improve sense of well being in the office.

OCCUPANT COMFORT

I have research about Japanese traditional culture again here. The external corridor is used as the main relaxation area in Japanese tradition. They enjoy tea, external views, smells, winds, and birds’ song and so on… That is always a question that what makes people comfort. In fact, I have external corridors in my house in Japan. I believe that the nature is the one which only can comfort/ relax human beings. The picture below shows how people used to use external corridors traditionally.

Engawa House by Tezuka Architects

This is designed by one of Japanese archtect, called "Engawa house."