Part B: Bamboo Wall House Analysis - Further Research

Architect: Kengo Kuma 隈 研吾

Kuma established Kengo Kuma & Associates in 1990.  His numerous residential works, museums, and other public facilities have received on-going critical acclaim and have won him several national and international awards.  Renowned projects include the LVMH Group Japan headquarters, Great (Bamboo) Wall, Water/Glass, also the Spa at Mandarin Oriental Dellis Cay.

[1](accessed March 4, 2010)

(accessed March 10, 2010)

Project 1 Part B : Analysis - Requirements + Outputs

Based on my research findings, brainstorming and contemplation, I decided on Kengo Kuma's Great Bamboo Wall House to be my precedence for further research, analysis and representation, over the other two exemplar buildings.

Furthermore the identification of discreet concepts in architecture; a house as an environmental filter; a house as a container of human activities; and a house as a delightful experience; all reveal themselves to be aspects essential to the understanding of architectural excellence that is argued to constants in the discourse of the discipline.  As mentioned, I will focus on these three crucial and interrelated House Design Concepts in the remainder of the project.

Part A: Archetype - Brookes Street House

JAMES RUSSELL ARCHITECT:
BROOKES STREET HOUSE, 2006

Brookes Street House - Surrounding area

http://www.jamesrussellarchitect.com.au/(accessed March 15, 2010)

A close-up

http://www.jamesrussellarchitect.com.au/(accessed March 15, 2010)

Lounge in Brookes Street House

http://www.jamesrussellarchitect.com.au/(accessed March 15, 2010)

Kitchen and living area

http://www.jamesrussellarchitect.com.au/(accessed March 15, 2010)

The narrow bridge

http://www.jamesrussellarchitect.com.au/(accessed March 15, 2010)

HOUSE AS AN ENVIRONMENTAL FILTER

Carefully inserted between two heritage-listed nineteenth century ecclesiastical buildings.  Great care has been invested in its choice of materials and assembly, as well as in ensuring it takes maximum advantages of the subtropical environment.  The central courtyard, with a grass floor elevated above parking, provides a green sanctuary for the family, and visually connects the living and sleeping areas.[1]

A simple yet elegant of screens, frameless glass panels, flaps and louvres provide an ambiguous boundary between inside and out.  The section is carefully modulated to ensure the penetration of light and control of sun, while giving a compact sense of vertical scale.[1]

HOUSE AS A CONTAINER OF HUMAN ACTIVITIES

Above the living areas are the sleeping areas, the children's above the playroom, and the parents's suspended over the kitchen and lounge.  A narrow bridge connects the two bedroom wings and overlooks the grass.  Bathrooms and the laundry are concealed in cupboards running along the side of the bridge.[1]

HOUSE AS A DELIGHTFUL EXPERIENCE

Timber structure, flooring, lining, screens and journey lend a wonderful sense of craft to this spatially expensive yet intimate house.  New and old coexist happily with borrowed spaces between.  A robust exterior defines a more delicate and enriching interior.[1]

Brookes Street Site 

http://www.jamesrussellarchitect.com.au/(accessed March 14, 2010)

Brookes Street House - lower level floor plan

http://www.jamesrussellarchitect.com.au/(accessed March 14, 2010)

Brookes Street House - upper level floor plan

http://www.jamesrussellarchitect.com.au/(accessed March 14, 2010)

Brookes Street House - Section

http://www.jamesrussellarchitect.com.au/(accessed March 14, 2010)

Spaces for different activities

http://www.jamesrussellarchitect.com.au/(accessed March 14, 2010)