Project 1 Part A: Archetype Research

Peninsula House - Sean Godsell

Peninsula house is located on the coastline of Mornington Peninsula, Victoria . Godsell has designed a simple steel structure that is encased in an outer skin made from operable timber shutters, glass roofs and walls. This simple idea of having an in and outer shell allows the house to transform to suite different weather conditions, and needs of the inhabitant. Having the shutters closed can help protect the house from strong wind and sand storms, having them open can allow for good cross ventilation.

Godsell splits the house up into three important spaces the bedroom, the living room and the library. All other spaces are extensions of these three main spaces. He divides these spaces by using different depths of light; the lounge room starting off as the most lit working down to the library as the least lit.

An interesting aesthetic aspect of this design is the shadows cast by the timber shutters. These shadows can determine the time of day and year depending on their shape and extent

References

Sean Godsell. (2010). Peninsula House. Retrieved March 6, 2010, from http://www.seangodsell.com/peninsula-house

Helsel and Sand. 2003. Sean Godsell transforms a seemingly simplex box, wrapping his Peninsula House in a veil of slender wood battens. Architectural Record; 191 (4): 134-140.

Chicken Point Cabin - Tom Kundig

Tom Kundig designed this cabin to be a lakeside shelter in the woods. The inspiration for the simplistic form and direct relationship the cabin has with its natural surroundings was derived from a previous cabin that was discovered on this sight by Kundig. The materials used in the design follow the same concept. Low maintenance materials such as plywood, concrete and steel were used incorporated unfinished to slowly age and become more apart of the natural setting. The large use of windows allow for large amounts of natural lighting to penetrate the cabin.

A major feature of this cabin design is the large window wall measuring 30 feet tall by 20 feet wide. The entire window operates on a hand cranking system that is easily operable by anyone to open up the entire window wall. Kundig designed this feature to directly engage the cabin with its site. When open spectacular views can be enjoyed of the lake and forest beyond. I like this idea that you can be inside but have the feeling that you are outside. When I think of being in a cabin I think of it as a place where you are very aware of the nature that surrounds you. This cabin design magnifies that feeling but still gives you that sense safety and warmth.

References

Billie, T. , Dung, N. , Rick, J. , Steven, H. , (2006). Tom Kundig: Houses. Princeton: Architectural Press
Olsen Kundig Architects. (2010). Chicken point cabin. Retrieved March 4, 2010, from http://www.olsonkundigarchitects.com/Projects/101/Chicken-Point-Cabin

Vectroave. (2010). Architecture: chicken point cabin. Retrieved March 4, 2010, from http://vectroave.com/2010/02/architecture-chicken-point-cabin-by-olson-kundig-architects/