The design idea started with the three blocks stacked on top of each other along the slope of the site to explore the views on the west and the east side, but the site’s orientation made this idea very complicated, for the views is on the west and east side of the site. This is the two sides that needs to be covered from the direct sunlight, because of the extreme climate in St Lucia. So timber shutter stacking doors are used in the design. So the client can open and close the doors manually and still allows natural light to flow through the building and also still have security, especially at night. The idea of the three blocks was side-tracked at a time, the idea was to have only two levels, this was were the idea of the angles came in (explained later). Eventually the original idea of the three blocks was improved according to the climate and the site orientation (that what was earlier stated as a problem for the design process). The final blocks was design with random angles, according to the gridlines/contours of the site. The arrangement of the living spaces also changed from living – private – studio, to studio – living – private. The reason for this change was that Willie now don’t have to take his clients through his whole house to get to his studio. The private area on the ground floor, is now completely private and will serve as the bathroom and a sleeping area for Willie and his wife. If any guests or their children should sleep over there will be temporary/transformable beds in the living area. The decks allows the house to reach into the landscape and create views to enjoy. The large overhangs of the roofs create shadows on the decks and into the different rooms, blocking off the direct sunlight and keep the house cool inside. The top roof has corrugated sheeting, inspired by Willie’s love for corrugated sheeting in his art work and to reflect the sunlight off the roof. The second dwelling’s roof is a garden roof, corrugated sheeting is not used, because it will reflect the sunlight into the top dwelling and heat it up intensely. The garden roof creates a natural feeling with the environment and a surface/deck for relaxation. A concrete roof on the ground dwelling will keep it cool inside and also will not reflect light off into the building. The staircase between the first and second dwelling is a straight steel staircase with timber treads. While the staircase leading from the second to the ground level, is spiral. This is done to bring some change in the inside flow of the house and so save space on the ground level’s small floor area. In this design though the usage of a light, steel structure with massive overhangs, some glass panels, timber shutters and –doors, this will be a comfortable, cool home for Willie and his family and friends to live in for occasional breakaways .
The design idea started with the three blocks stacked on top of each other along the slope of the site to explore the views on the west and the east side, but the site’s orientation made this idea very complicated, for the views is on the west and east side of the site. This is the two sides that needs to be covered from the direct sunlight, because of the extreme climate in St Lucia. So timber shutter stacking doors are used in the design. So the client can open and close the doors manually and still allows natural light to flow through the building and also still have security, especially at night.
ReplyDeleteThe idea of the three blocks was side-tracked at a time, the idea was to have only two levels, this was were the idea of the angles came in (explained later). Eventually the original idea of the three blocks was improved according to the climate and the site orientation (that what was earlier stated as a problem for the design process).
The final blocks was design with random angles, according to the gridlines/contours of the site.
The arrangement of the living spaces also changed from living – private – studio, to studio – living – private. The reason for this change was that Willie now don’t have to take his clients through his whole house to get to his studio. The private area on the ground floor, is now completely private and will serve as the bathroom and a sleeping area for Willie and his wife. If any guests or their children should sleep over there will be temporary/transformable beds in the living area.
The decks allows the house to reach into the landscape and create views to enjoy.
The large overhangs of the roofs create shadows on the decks and into the different rooms, blocking off the direct sunlight and keep the house cool inside. The top roof has corrugated sheeting, inspired by Willie’s love for corrugated sheeting in his art work and to reflect the sunlight off the roof. The second dwelling’s roof is a garden roof, corrugated sheeting is not used, because it will reflect the sunlight into the top dwelling and heat it up intensely. The garden roof creates a natural feeling with the environment and a surface/deck for relaxation.
A concrete roof on the ground dwelling will keep it cool inside and also will not reflect light off into the building.
The staircase between the first and second dwelling is a straight steel staircase with timber treads. While the staircase leading from the second to the ground level, is spiral. This is done to bring some change in the inside flow of the house and so save space on the ground level’s small floor area.
In this design though the usage of a light, steel structure with massive overhangs, some glass panels, timber shutters and –doors, this will be a comfortable, cool home for Willie and his family and friends to live in for occasional breakaways .