Floor Plan Ideas

Im not sure if I even like this floor plan and I think its hit a bit of a dead end now anyway. In the end I think it was just too many angles and in such a small space so many angles could become a bit overwhelming. We were hoping the use of angles would create more space, but in this instance it seems to have created a lot of useless space. We tried altering a few things, eg: the outdoor area, but it didnt seem to help much. We might keep it going for a bit longer and see what happens... not sure

Kitchen Designs

Monaco House - McBride Charles Ryan

Another nice solution for a multi use building on a small block.

McBride Charles Ryan website

Wet Area Design

DESIGN 1A
Pros:
- Relatively Small footprint
- Hot water outlets all close together
- Bathroom basin and mirror positioned opposite the door
- Swing of bathroom door divides the space between the toilet and bathroom and also blocks the view of the toilet when entering.
- Creates quite a large living/dining area.
- Kitchen island creates a more sociable space
Cons:
- Kitchen space probably larger than it needs to be
- No private access from bedroom to bathroom. Must pass through living area to access bathroom.
- Simplicity of design does not create many opportunities for storage
- Toilet still visible in mirror when entering
- No ensuite


DESIGN 2A
Pros:
- Very small kitchen and bathroom footprints
- Most of the hot water outlets are positioned close together
- Hidden laundry area with small shelving beside it
- Further (removable?) storage could be added above the W/M if no dryer is required
- private access from bedroom to bathroom due to position of corridor
- View of toilet completely blocked by door swing.
- Kitchen island creates a more sociable space
Cons:
- Corridor between bathroom and bedroom may prove to be wasted space.
- No ensuite for master bedroom


DESIGN2B
Same as 2A but with the addition of ensuite access. It also creates another storage area for the laundry/bathroom. However, the view of the toilet is no longer blocked by the door swing. I think i prefer this design to 2A.


DESIGN 3A
Pros:
- Very small footprint
- Lots of storage and shelving areas
- Hidden laundry
- Toilet is pushed back into the wall and is not as noticable
- bathroom basin and mirror located opposite door
- Further (removable?) storage could be added above the W/M if no dryer is required
- Kitchen island creates a more sociable space
Cons:
- No easy access to bathroom from bedroom


DESIGN 3B
Same as 3A however access to to bedroom is now closer to the bathroom. The W.I.R has been widened in order to retain storage space and to allow for the door.


Click on pictures to enlarge.

Scale will be incorrect as pics were converted to jpeg format.

Brooke Street House - James Russell Architect

Found this house in an old issue of Green Magazine. The site is an old carpark with buildings built up to the boundaries on either side. The site has limited frontage and is also located in between 2 major roads. So in terms of the site, it is pretty similar to the current project. Interesting use of carparking underneath, although I'm not sure if this would be allowed in our project. I thought it was a nice design - it used recycled materials, and incorporated a small courtyard in the centre of the residence. The slatted timber at the front ensures privacy but lets enough light into the living room (check pic on website below). I couldnt find any pictures on the internet of it, but the rear of the house it pretty much all glass, which I think works pretty well in this instance. I also like the use of that raised section at the front to bring in more light. Thats the sort of idea we were trying to get at with our brainstorming.

James Russell Architect

Site Photo

Smithsonian Institute Canopy - Norman Foster

I came across Norman Foster's canopy addition to the Smithsonian Institute in Washington. Thought it was a nice solution to the natural lighting problem and kind of relevant to the current project. It's not particularly suited to the brief though.

Thumbnail Sketches

A couple of VERY quick thumbnail sketches. Was just trying to start getting some ideas on paper. After this weeks lecture on wet area design, it seems I was focusing on the wrong aspects of the initial design.

1ST SKETCH:

- This first one is more a copy of an existing design than my own.
- By using 2 different materials it gives the appearance of 2 separate buildings.
- Exaggerate the 'traditional' shape of a house which might play up nicely against the surrounding commercial buildings. Clean, simple lines that all run flush/smooth.
- Light could be filtered from the top floor through to the dentistry below.
- I also like the idea of using the shape of the front elevation for the floor plan / footprint. Would continue the theme of 2 buildings in 1.

The actual shape is VERY much a copy of a design by Andrea Bruno i found in A10 magazine, the lighting / floor plan were my additions... i just thought it was a nice design. link below.

http://www.ourbania.com/urban-items/les-brigittines

2ND SKETCH:


- Clad most of the ground floor with reflective glass. Would solve the natural lighting problem and still ensure privacy.
- The use of an organic material on the 1st floor might help absorb some of the traffic noise from Ascot Vale Rd.
- Also provides a large rooftop area.

Blogger is playing up. Havent been able to upload photos for few days... be patient.

SIte Visit - First Impressions

Last week we made a visit to the proposed site at around midday.

Some first impressions of the site:

- Surrounded by a mixture of large unimaginative commercial developments and residential housing.

- Site located in between 2 major roads (Mt Alexander & Ascot Vale Rd)

- It was a lot smaller than we had anticipated

- Lots of noise pollution from passing traffic on Ascot Vale Rd. Interestingly, the noise pollution is far less (almost absent) in the alley at the rear of the property. Could be used effectively in design?

- Car parking is going to be an issue. Very tight access, space etc. There was also no on street parking at the front of the property on Ascot Vale Rd.

- Large commercial building on northern boundary will affect direct sunlight. We visited in April at midday, and the property was already in shade. The site will receive even less direct sunlight in winter. Lots of natural ambient lighting?

- Rear (eastern) access available via a small laneway. There was also a small car park at the rear of the property with access to Mt Alexander Rd.

- Seems like a strip of cafes/shops etc on Mt Alexander Rd. Good location for an apartment style residence. Younger buyers/target?

- Residential property on southern side is also built up to the boundary which will again create design limitations.

More thoughts, Site Photos/Videos to come...

Week 1 Brainstorming

Additional Requirements

The client has expressed, that they see the commercial tenancy using a masonry and hard floor finish such as tile at ground level. While the 1st floor residence, in a timber and lightweight material solution.

While there is no specific budget allocated to the project, the scheme should reflect the fact that the client is taking the risk in developing this project, and expects to return a profit upon completion of the works. Students should investigate the current financial returns in the area and extrapolate or determine a scheme that would be of similar value.

The client also requires confirmation of the planning scheme zones of the subject site.
ie: If the project site is within a heritage overlay, then the scheme is not viable.

Client Requirements

Ground Floor
Dental Surgery

Consulting Room
Store Room
Reception/ Admin
Waiting Room
Toilets
1st Floor

First Floor
Apartment

2 Bedrooms
Living
Meals
Kitchen
Bathroom
Decking
Roof Space