Part C : Application - Site Context

Location/Context Q & A

The followings questions have been considered especially for my Exemplar Architect, Kengo Kuma, when choosing the site.

1. Where does Mr Kuma want to live?  Suburban community

2. What type of people like to live in the community?  Architects

3. Are there adequate utility services available - water, electricity, gas, sewer, fire control?  Yes

4. Is there an adequate shopping area?  Yes

5. Is transport available - to work, to shops, to other areas, or will Mr. Kuma has to depend on private vehicle?  Private vehicle

6. Are adequate social utilities available - libraries, parks, clubs, recreation facilities?  Yes

7. Are the other houses in the immediate vicinity well maintained?  Yes

8. Hence, are the houses neglected because a proposed highway is planned to pass nearby?  No

9. What development plans, if any, are proposed by federal, state or local government bodies for the area - airport, highway, garbage dump?  My Cabin proposal will be the latest addition to this architectural location.

Contour map of the site

The above picture shows the contour of the preferred site.  It is ideal for placing the Great Bamboo Wall House and my Cabin.  The gradient is gentle and  suits the structure of the Bamboo Wall House.  As well, there are also suitable spaces for C House and the Brookes Street House.

After considering the immediate neighbourhood of the preferred Site Location.  Immediately adjacent to my Cabin Site, the following are the locations for the three Exemplar Houses that I researched in Part A.

This site slopes gently towards the East side, to the river.  Indeed, it suits each of my Exemplar house, the Great Bamboo Wall House, C House and Brookes Street House.  

Placing the exemplar houses and my Cabin to the best location at the right scale and facing the right orientation.

Part C : Application - Site Location Analysis

The Cabin is located in an imaginary ideal architectural location and urban utopia - Mount Methodology in Charrette City, where an available small site is located within a group of existing exemplary houses.

Preferred Site Location

Location

Generic Gardens, Mount Methodology, Charrette City

Latitude : -27.39

Longitude : 153.12

Elevation : 15 metres (above sea level)

After investigating the given site of urban utopia and site of the Great Bamboo Wall house, I found that the Generic Gardens is a fairly applicable and proper location for my exemplary houses and Cabin.  The main reason for choosing the Generic Gardens as a site location is a high level of vegetation.  Thick vegetation provides a natural and organic surrounding which best suits my Cabin design as an environmental filter.



Climatic Filter
Sun

Charrette City is located in a Sub-Tropical Climate and in the Southern Hemisphere,

the sun path of the is site is as below,

http://www.luxal.eu/resources/daylighting/docs/sunpath_27_south.pdf(accessed March 19, 2010)

From the above sunpath diagram, it can be seen that a notable amount of sunlight comes from the North.  The chosen site disposition allows penetration of winter sun and avoid some summer sun.  There are a fews tree at the site, but the views and sunshine won't be blocked off by nearby trees or existing buildings.

Wind

Wind is one of the most highly variable meteorological elements, both in speed and direction.  

The four wind frequency analyses (Summer 9am and 3pm; Winter 9am and 3pm) of the preferred site are shown below,

http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/climate/cgi_bin_scripts/windrose_selector.cgi(accessed March 24, 2010)

http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/climate/cgi_bin_scripts/windrose_selector.cgi(accessed March 24, 2010)

http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/climate/cgi_bin_scripts/windrose_selector.cgi(accessed March 24, 2010)

http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/climate/cgi_bin_scripts/windrose_selector.cgi(accessed March 24, 2010)

The above wind roses show the frequency of occurrence of wind speed and direction.  In fact, wind directions are divided into eight compass directions.  From the above diagram,  we can see that Winter wind is in the South-South West-West sector.  Summer Breezes are in the North-East, South-East sectors.  Indeed, the chosen site is exposed to wind from different directions moderately.

Project 1 Part C : Application - Requirements + Outputs

In Part C, I will design a Cabin for my Exemplar Architect - Kengo Kuma.

The Cabin is located in an imaginary ideal architectural location on Mount Methodology near Charrette City, where an available small site is located within a group of existing exemplary houses.  Indeed, my Cabin proposal will be the latest addition to this architectural location.  The Cabin incorporates all the necessary studio and workplaces for my Exemplar Architect - Kengo Kuma, as well as living accommodation.

Moreover, the size and arrangement of the spaces is reflecting the lessons that I have learnt through studying my Exemplar Architect/Practice namely Kengo Kuma & Associates (Bamboo Wall House), Donovan Hill (C House), and James Russell Architect (Brookes Street House) and their House Design in Part A and B.  My Cabin is  75m²  in total for internal enclosed space.  Also, a  36m²  covered external space is provided in addition.  This Cabin design is reflecting the unique utopian architectural location and the local environmental influences. 

Site plan of Urban Utopia.

Moreover, my cabin design will include the following spaces :

• space for living;
• space for working;
• space for reflecting;
• space for dining;
• space for preparing meals;
• space for sleeping; and 
• space for abluting.

My proposed Cabin is designed to accommodate my Exemplar Architect and his partner only - no additional accommodation for other members of the family or friends is to be provided.