Final Major Project, Final Outcomes



My final outcomes for this project. Looking back, I wanted to produce more, I wanted to produce and design visuals for the interior, and apply textures to the exterior, however when I did sit down to apply this, the image did not look as strong as it should have, and I was not happy with the outcome achieved.

On reflection though, I find my final designs to be a reflection of what I have researched, thought about and learnt. I have adopted a lot from the designs I have looked at, and at the beginning of the project was unsure as to how to design and develop my ideas, although in previous projects I have looked and designed I am now confident in designing and expressing my ideas.

However the frustration, anger and emotions are not fully portrayed in my final outcomes, that I have been through this project, but by looking at the Fibonacci numbers, Japanese design, contemporary design, Minimalism, modernism, Eco products and what properties they have, visiting the Building centre (London) looking at what Eco Products are in fact out there for sale, looking at how other countries are dealing with climate change and how they are not fighting with it but living with it, my final outcome does not however fully show my intense personal journey, but looking through my personal diary and Sketchbook, this does become evident.

I could have improved this project by incorporating height, width length restraints, as Architects have to deal and work around this in practise. I could have also included direction of sunlight, as I did focus upon this in the Duke Street project, and this in turn did reflect upon my design, and I was able to research and overcome a solution towards this.

However, with not actually having the knowledge and I did not undertake professional ways in which you would design a house, this did hamper my thought and I was unable to produce a sophisticated design or indeed reflect a contemporary design, therefore by not including these elements into this project, I was able to concentrate more on the exterior design. Which I appreciate, many architects will not have this freedom, but in this stage, this has helped me to expand and produce contemporary design, appreciate and learn that many problems we have today, have already been solved by looking back at nature and modernist ideas. I suppose the saying 'there's nothing new under the sun' applies here, as ideas for having open plan living, outside space, overhanging eaves, walls of glass, sheltered areas to keep cool, have all come from Modernist and Minimalist Architects. (Courbusier, Mies Van De Roch, Frank Lloyd Wright) to name a few.

The reason why I have not included a right elevation, is looking back at Waterstudios designs, the idea of community and building houses together was a factor, also the Cub house has the ability to build outwards and neighbour walls together, I decided to incorporate this idea, and allow my designs to be able to be duplicated, and be placed together, this is also an Eco friendly idea, inwhich heat can be preserved, and not escape through 4 walls, but through 3 instead. I do appreciate that Modular homes are not built in this way, and that this is resorting back to terrace housing, or semi detached housing, but I did feel that this would be another element that I could include reflecting, research and ideas available.

As I always say, at the end of a project, if I had more time I would do this, or if I was to do this project again I would do that, but really, I would have a stronger knowledge about design, and how to design, if  I were to undertake this project again. But I suppose this is why you do projects, and it is unfortunate that it has took me this long to get to the stage I am now, but there again this was the reason for taking this course, and I have learnt a lot about myself and design, and I now feel more confident about going to university and what lies ahead, this year has been beneficial and I have gained a lot out of it.

Wind and Sun deflectors

The idea of shade and cool air once again derives from the modernist ideas, but is still used and considered today.

Taken from the Sustainable Home by Cathy Strongman, the use of sun deflectors and the ability to look out of the shaded area is evident here is the Solar Umbrella House in America. I did not look at this as a design, although the design of the house in it's own right is contemporary and extremely aesthetically pleasing, using various shapes as supports and yet again creating a floating look.

This did trigger the thought of including Sun and Wind deflectors into my designs.










Looking back at the Fosters and Partners Japan house, the idea is here also, with Sun deflectors in place, to provide a cool atmosphere and resulting in less air conditioning and use of energy in order to cool the room.

I plan to include this idea into my own work.

Samalot Stairs

http://www.sixdifferentways.com/photos/spamalot-stairs.jpg


I had first seen the Samalot Staircase in Elle Decoration magazine, and was immediately inspired by the load bearing wall, creating a floating effect.

I thought about this idea, and decided that it would produce a provoking design if included on the exterior of my house design.

I thought of many ways in which I could place this staircase to my house the pros and cons of where to place this and where would it lead to.

Blueprint Magazine

http://www.getthatmag.com/digital/blueprint/

Blueprint Magazine is a great source, aswell as blog websites, to obtain cutting edge contemporary designs.

Featuring an in-depth and informative article, Blueprint focuses upon innovative and aesthetically pleasing designs.

In February 2009 they had a Japanese special which feature contemporary designs by many Japanese architects

http://viewer.zmags.co.uk/publication/f942872a#/f942872a/1

Within the edition, the sketches of one building were featured, this gave me an insight into how architects sketch and portray their ideas.


This house by Fujimori, is based on the context of traditional Japanese tea houses, and the height could relate to flooding, although this is a bit extreme, but this did make me think about the height of my house, and how many steps I would need.