3 Exemplar Houses

Suitcase House
40°20'23N 116°02'46E
Nangou Valley, Badaling north of Beijing CHINA

Gary Chang (EDGE Design)

"Limitless variation can only emerge from simplicity. I planned for the Suitcase House to be more than a residence. Its character is not limited to space for living and working, it is a transformative environment. From the most complex partitioning, to the most minimal space, it is defined by how people use it. Its life is bound up in perpetual resonance and interaction with people whose lifestyles are constantly changing.” Gary Chang

Lefaivre, L. and A. Tzonis. 2003. Critical regionalism: architecture and identity in a globalized world. Munich; New York: Prestel.





Balaam House
33b Harbour Road
Hamilton, AUSTRALIA

Shaun Lockyer (Arkhefield)
“To design a family home that explored the opportunities within architecture”. We were challenged by a very public realm within which to build a house while trying to reconcile the idiosyncratic issues of view, privacy, security and sanctuary. Shaun Lockyer

www.arkhefield.com.au





Lambert House
86-88 Main Avenue
Wilston, AUSTRALIA

Russell Hall

Lambert House is located on a suburban hillside overlooking Brisbane. It is also known as the Carpenter Hall House and was designed for the Architect Russell Halls sister. The house spans over 5 levels and in plan is a dodecagon(12 sided shape). The building is reminiscent of the early Queensland Lighthouses and refracts light throughout the internal spaces of the building.
P. Bingham-Hall

Bingham-Hall, P. 2001. A Short History of Brisbane Architecture. Sydney: Presaro Press.

Satelite images from:

http://maps.google.com.au/maps?hl=en&tab=wl

See reference list for photo references

Suitcase House

Here are a few photos of the Suitcase House:

Quick Preliminary Sketches

Here are just a few quick sketches I did to get the ball rolling.

Plans, Sections, Isometric and Interior Perspective Drawings

This was my first attempt at the drawings of Suitcase House. It was suggested that the line weights and scanning quality could be improved.

Isometric View














Plan

















Long Sections













Short Sections









Interior Perspective

2nd Attempt of Suitcase House Drawings

These drawings are the final versions of the Suitcase drawings, with more emphasise put into line weights.

Floor Plan


Long Sections


Short Sections

A House is a Delightful Experience

Stimulating - The Suitcase House is a different experience compared to other hotels. It has the ability to adapt to the occupants and provides a stimulating sense of mystery by asking the user, is this a bare room or is there more to it?

FLOW

Shape - The lines of the Suitcase House replicate the lines found in the forest surrounding the building. The shape however is in stark contrast to the landscape and protrudes out of the mountain.

Engaging - The building requires that the users actively engage with the building in order for it to function. With out user envolvement the House cannot function properly.

Lighting


Texture/Colour - The colour and texture of Suitcase House allow it to almost camoflage itself into its surrounds. There are local timbers and stone used throughout to emphasis the connect of the building with nature.

Presence - Although hidden amongst the trees this building still has a strong presence amongst the landscape. In close proximity to the Great Wall of China, the building has been designed to maximise these views.

MYSTERY

A House is a Container of Human Activities

FUNCTIONALITY - Casting a question mark on the proverbial image of the house, the Suitcase House Hotel attempts to rethink the nature of intimacy, privacy, spontaneity and flexibility. It is a simple demonstration of the desire for ultimate adaptability, in pursuit of a proscenium for infinite scenarios, a plane of sensual (p)leisure. http://www.archphoto.it/IMAGES/garychang/chang.htm

Ergonomics - Mid level compartments fulfill most furniture requirements therefore little is needed. The furniture that is in the house is mobile and lends the house to be highly adaptive.

Purpose - To provide a space that can transform and suit the needs of each user, whether it is as a dining room, lounge, bedroom or dance floor.

Dynamic Spaces - The house has been design to adapt to different functions with a total upper floor space of 220m2 (44m x 5m).

Central Space - Due to its unique design the central space of the house is the entire top floor. It can be changed and manipulated to conform with the users requirements. FLEXIBILITY - A Metamorphic volume

Specifications/Restraints - It transforms effortlessly from a designers studio to accomodation for a variety of family groups. The Suitcase House can effortlessly transform from an open space to a sequence of rooms. Longevity - The materials of the house are extremly hard wearing and suitable for frequent use. The interior and exterior facades of the house are local timbers with an internal steel frame supporting the structure.

INTERCONNECTIVITY - Although users may be in different parts of the house they are still connected through the open plan layout.

Spacial Relationships - The top stratum is the main living space with the ability to change room configurations due to the vertical layering of the building. The bottom stratum is reserved for services, storage and maids' quarters.

Privacy/Noise/Traffic - The Suitcase House is located in a semi rural setting surrounded by a forest, there is a small road on the southern side of the building which creates minimal noise and provides easy access to the building.

Indoor/Outdoor Connection - On the top stratum the windows of the building can be easily opened to allow the surrounding forest to become part of the building.