Week 1 - Archetype Research

EXEMPLAR 1 (INTERNATIONAL): GEOFFREY BAWA - 33RD LANE

Whilst researching the 33rd Lane House by Geoffrey Bawa along with other works of his such as The Ena de Silva House, The Madurai Club and Kandalama Hotel I began to understand his style. From simply studying his floor plans you begin to see that he tends to incorporate many internal walkways and courtyards to allow light to filter into the spaces, rather than large windows allowing direct light to enter the spaces. Below you can see this kind of formation in the 33rd Lane House in Colombo.

- a house as a container for human activity -

Geoffrey Bawa has a distinct style in the way he arranges spaces in his designs, he distinctively separates private from public spaces whether it be by solid walls or internal courtyards. The floor plan above exhibits an ease of transition from space to space although still allowing the user to experience something different from room to room.

- a house is an environmental filter -

As exhibited in the photos above it is evident that Bawa has carefully considered the environmental factors associated with Sri Lanka and inparticular Colombo. In his design the incorporation of diffused light instead of direct sunlight allows light to enter without heating the place up too much.

- a house is a delightful experience -

The factor that separates Geoffrey Bawa from other Sri Lankan architects is the fact that he is persistant with using local materials and traditional building styles of the sites region. The form of the outside of this house does not give away too much, creates a pleasure once entered. The play on light and use of natural colours produces a delightful sensory experience.

EXEMPLAR 2 (AUSTRALIAN): JAMES RUSSEL ARCHITECTS - BROOKES STREET HOUSE

I work in the Emporium complex just behind this house and have always been very interested in researching it.

- a house as a container for human activity -

This house takes advantage of the beautiful climate that we are blessed with in Brisbane offering fluidity of the inside and the outside spaces.

- a house is an environmental filter -

By incorporating a large courtyard open to the sky in the middle of this house James Russel Architects have achieved a distinct filter from the chaos of the Valley. The site location between two large heritage listed buildings also adds to this filter by creating the feeling of security. The use of leaved windows offer protection from the sun and rain.

- a house is a delightful experience -

Some have described the feeling of this house as a modern version of a Queenslander. I believe that this is true in the use of timber materials, the separation of spaces and the use of balconies of the bedrooms. also the use of stairs up to the entrance of the house adds to this theory.

EXEMPLAR 3 (AUSTRALIAN): BARK DESIGN - BARK STUDIO HOUSE

"Bark's aim is to create buildings that are design from the inside, out. Responding directly to the needs of the people who use them, buildings integrate directly with the natural encironment, insuring minimal environmental impacts and sustainability. Visually structures speak of lightness and transparency. Natural light, passive ventilation and cooling are fully explored to respond to the subtropical climate" (Bark Design, 2009).

The Bark Studio House in Noose really appealed to me aesthetically as it looks like a great working space for a small group of architects.



- a house as a container for human activity -

This house has conveniently been designed by architects for architects, provide a high level of functionality. With the public spaces located centrally on the first floor to accommodate for group collaboration and a more secluded semi private space on the top floor this house is perfect for a small architectural team.

- a house is an environmental filter -

As seen above in Bark Design's Intent the house effortlessly controls ventilation and sun by offering large windows and leavers on northern, eastern and southern sides with more protection on the fourth side to block the western sun. These window also take full advantage of the views. The house is lifted off the ground by four steel footings to reduce the impact on the natural surrounding environment.

- a house is a delightful experience -

The steel structure of this house offers a delightful experience by framing the untouched environment outside. The use of unnatural materials of the house and the natural surrounding environment juxtaposition creates a pleasant contrast.

REFERENCES

Bark Design Architects. 2010. Projects - Commercial - Bark Studio. Retrieved 10th of March, http://www.barkdesign.com.au/
Cilento, K. 2009. The Studio of Bark Design Architects. Retrieved 10th of March, http://www.archdaily.com/39543/the-studio-of-bark-design-architects/

Jayawardene, S. 1986. Geoffrey Bawa - Sri Lanka. Retrieved 10th of March from, http://www.archnet.org
Keniger, M. 1996. Bawa - Recent Projects 1987-95. Brisbane: Queensland Chapter of the RAIA.
Robson, D. 2002. Geoffrey Bawa - The Complete Works. London. Thames & Hudson.
(n.d.). Geoffrey Bawa - Number Eleven. Retrieved 10th of March from, http://www.geoffreybawa.com
Taylor, B. B. 1995. Geoffrey Bawa. London. Thames & Hudson.
James Russell Architects. 2009. Retrieved 10th of March from, http://www.jamesrussellarchitect.com.au/