Archetype Research.

Lambert House

The 'Lambert house' or 'Rapunzel House' was designed by architect Russell Hall in 1986 for his sister. This 5 storey house is in the unusual shape of a dodecagon, creating a unique shape while still remaining simple to construct. Russel Hall thoroughly thought out angles and placement so that 30° and 60° angles coincide with right angles, creating a more architecturally viable building than a hexagonal one (Keniger & Hall 1990).

As an environmental filter the house aims to provide the user with a connection to the outside and a connection to the city, utilising the opportunity for beautiful city views on one side and a bush on the other. On the site itself, the verticality of the building acts to minimise the land use while incorporating all activities necessary and leaving as much of the environment as possible. The exterior staircase acts to bring the user outdoors in a physical sense. The house is made of wood and built against a hill which also helps to connect the user to nature. The design takes full advantage of the possible passive design opportunities, with a "broad side to the north to allow plentiful cross-ventilation and winter sun penetration" (Keniger & Hall 1990). Air is also drawn up through the house, leaving out a turbine vent on the top level.


As a container for human activities, the house facilitates the needs in a zoned and practical manor. As the house is shallow, containing mainly 2 rooms on each level they are arranged strategically. The user enters on the second level with the dining room and kitchen, the social and functional elements of a home with a living room on the floor above (Ninemsn n.d).


The house has many additions to ensure it is a delightful experience. Designed for his sister it is zoned and arranged for maximum convenience. With the master bedroom on the 4th level with more of the beautiful views and a sewing room on the 5th level and lookout over the city. The views of both nature and the city below create a feeling of power and onlooking. The house is comfortably small, designed at human scale with low ceilings and lots of windows. In the sewing room, or loft, he has put in stained glass windows and glass prisms to reflect and refract light through and outside the house for "subliminal psychic food" (Keniger & Hall 1990). The house has good exposure to the breeze and light to create a comfortable living space. It is unique and interesting and as the user approaches is visually exciting.



Brookes Street house

The 'Brookes Street House' was designed by James Russell in 2006 is an adaptive, composite house, making the most of a difficult site for him and his family. The narrow site between two 19th century churches is only 5.6m wide but James Russell has made the most of the entire site. The result is a concrete, steel and glass construction that is barely visible from the street (Mornement & Biles 2009, 108).

The house filters the environment by hiding between the churches to minimise road noise in the busy part of Brisbane. It is also set back 16m into the site to help get away from the busy city road. The house is centred around a small courtyard area with a section of grass that helps to make the house feel closer to nature as well as providing light and ventilation. The design is very open and light, suited to the Queensland climate, "push out timber windows regulate shade, sun and rain" (Mornement & Biles 2009, 108). The house is built against the wall of one of the churches, with reminders of the church through the house such as glimpses of the stained glass windows.


The zoning of the house helps to separate and create niches for the different activities. There are two "pavilions" (Russell 2006), one has a living and dining area while the other has bedrooms and a play area, separated by a grassy courtyard. The house gives the feeling of a private and secure world once entered. It caters for all the needs of his family.

It was designed to be a delightful experience after wanting to expand his opportunities on the site. He designed the various buildings in the site with the intention that "a small-scale proposal that enhanced the experience of the buildings was more appropriate" (Russell 2006). The grassed area in the centre provides a safe area and sanctuary for his children to play as well as providing a connection to nature in an inner city home. A subtle and discreet entrance to the house also helps to give the home a greater feeling of privacy.


Suitcase house

The 'Suitcase House' designed by Gary Chang in 2002 is a 350m2 building that aims to retain as much open and free space as possible. The Hong Kong based architect uses space very creatively, designing secretive and hidden functions throughout this innovative new house. It was designed as part of a development called 'The Commune' by the Great Wall of china in the Shuiguan Mountains. It is described as "one of the most playful and innovative villas at the commune" (Leece & Ong 2007, 103). The innovation of the house is in the pneumatic trapdoors that reveal the lower functions of the house (as seen in http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=3691233&id=368204538862&fbid=373307613862) while leaving the main living area as a mainly open space. This house provides the user with intimacy and privacy as well as spontaneity and flexibility (Leece & Ong 2007, 103).

The house is designed intuitively on many levels, it successfully adapts to its environment by providing the user with maximum views of the Great Wall of China as well as orienting to capture the most sunlight. The numerous windows give the user views of the beautiful countryside all around. The timber clad interior helps to blur the divisions between inside and outside. The compact bedrooms are an efficient design, reducing the volume of air to assist in creating a warmer sleeping environment in a cold climate.

The house's flexibility helps to give the user an 'open book' when it comes to the way to use the space. Sliding curtains help to separate the space in various different ways and also provide privacy and intimacy. The house contains all the necessary functions; bathroom, kitchen, bedroom, storage, lounge and even a sauna. Minimal and moveable furnishings allow the large open upper room to be used for anything the user requires.

The novelty, quality and innovation of the space provides a very delightful and exciting experience for its user. The journey and discovery of all the functions the house has to offer adds to the novelty of its design. The main living space is open and spacious and has natural light coming into it, creating a comfortable area to experience the framed and easily viewable outside world. It creates a very delightful and unique experience.


Reference List;
Keniger, M. & R. Hall. 1990. Australian Architects: Rex Addison, Lindsay Clare & Russell Hall. ACT: Australian Institute of Architects.

Leece, S. & C. Ong. 2007. China Living. Singapore: Periplus Editions ltd.
Mornement, A. & A. Biles. 2009. Infill: new houses for urban sites. London: Laurence King.

Ninemsn. n.d. Tower House. http://ourhouse.ninemsn.com.au/ourhouse/factsheets/db/openhouse/02/257.asp (accessed March 1, 2010).

Russell, J. 2006. Brookes Street House. http://www.architecture.com.au/awards_search?option=showaward&entryno=20064145 (accessed March 3, 2010).

Images
Lambert House
Keniger, M. & R. Hall. 1990. Australian Architects: Rex Addison, Lindsay Clare & Russell Hall. ACT: Australian Institute of Architects.
Brookes Street House
Russell, J. 2006. Brookes Street House. http://www.architecture.com.au/awards_search?option=showaward&entryno=20064145 (accessed March 3, 2010)
Suitcase House
Leece, S. & C. Ong. 2007. China Living. Singapore: Periplus Editions ltd.