Final renders

Specifications report

Systems

Here is my systems report I have done to show how my designed coffee table can be extended out to a dining table. This is an important part of my dwelling as I wanted the furniture in the living room to be fitting to the small amount of space but I also considered how the occupants could cater for family and friends. So by designing this extendable table it allows the residents to easily change the function of the table to suit for different occasions. The table is one out of three multi-purpose pieces I’ve designed that allows for a comfortable amount of walking space between furniture and plenty of room for storage.

Technical drawings

Final technical drawings made on Revit:

Furniture renders

Here are some test renders I did of my multi-functional bed and staircase to be used for storage. I also have designed a coffee table that can be extended out into a dining table, which I will show in my systems report.

Proposed pilot home

In Week 5 after discussion with Olly on prefabrication I realised that if I was to prefabricate my designed dwelling it would be more expensive to build off site rather than on site. This is due to the design of my dwelling as a lot of my walls are different sizes to cater to the pitched roof. This means it would be more time and money to manufacture these differently shaped walls compared to a flat roof house, where all walls would be the same size and could be faster and cheaper to make. Due to the time I had left I decided that I wouldn’t be doing anymore large changes to my design but instead promote this home as a pilot home. This home would be built on site and if it would appeal to more clients in the future, I would then consider whether building these homes through prefabrication would be a more suitable approach.

Changes and development in response to last weeks presentation

Elevation of dwelling situated in Charles Plimmer park

In response to the feedback I received, I have made a few changes to my dwelling. I have enlarged the mezzanine to allow space for an en suite next to the bedroom, which has a toilet, sink and shower. I have then changed the downstairs bathroom to just a toilet and laundry. I have also created a staircase that is more suitable for the home, but means that the dwelling has slightly changed from it’s original shape. But this extra space also allows a comfortable amount of room for the occupants to use the cabinets/storage space under the stairs. The changes that I’ve made are to ensure a more appropriate interior layout that will be suitable for a wider range of ages. So instead of just promoting this home for couples that are wanting to downsize from a larger family home, I’m proposing that this could also be suitable for first home buyers or typically anyone that would be interested in living a smaller home.  

Week 8: Presentation

A3 pages I presented:

Feedback:

• Considering the clients age (40-50s), if they wanted to stay long term would the dwelling be suitable? Changing the steepness of the stairs and having a larger mezzanine with an en suite might be necessary.
• How can the design respond to the different sites e.g. acoustics from dogs, lighting etc.
• Brief responds to downsizing, what demographics would suit this dwelling best?
• Can I design a home that allows clients to downsize de-clutter etc. and let the client choose the design?
• Sleeping/using bathroom on different levels? Might be good to reconsider
• Transportability – dwelling would be too big on scale to be driven from the prefabrication site to Mount Victoria. What are other alternatives within prefabrication?
• Could look into 1 storey plans, might be easier to prefabricate and transport

Drawings of windows

Windows:

I would like there to be opening doors in the window facade, so that the residents can access outside or to let in fresh air.

Precedents of window openings:

 

My own sketches of different window openings:

Shoji inspired windows & screens:

I am also quite interested in having shoji inspired sliding doors and screens to use for privacy in my dwelling.

Feedback and changes

Over the course of the first six weeks, I’ve had discussions with other students in class, with teachers and with my exchange group. All the feedback I’ve had has been insightful and will be useful for my further concept development.

Exchange group feedback:

In this meeting other students said they liked how my work book pages are all clear and laid out, and that it showed my process very clearly. They liked my idea of having more then one function in the space I’m making, as it allows the person to come into the space and bring their belongings and create a new sense of identity in the place itself.

Feedback from teachers/other students in class:

• In terms of the glass wall, I was asked what I would do in terms of privacy.
• Since my dwelling would be south-west facing, I was asked how would the residents open the windows and if I couldn’t open windows from the large glass wall, where would other opening windows be located?
• I was also asked what would I do in terms of sheltering the house from the sun and other weather conditions.
• A student pointed out to me that it would be easier to have plumbing on one side of the house to reduce cost