Domus Concept - Service Module

SANGRATH 1 - PLAN!

initial ideas for domus project

minima interior

final minima presentation

water tanks and solar panels in straps shape around the building

Sangath 3 - Domus - Tropical Design Guides

I was doing some web surfing and came accross these guides to tropical home design. They really spell out the basics for those who are unfamiliar with the climate and required design principles. I'm from Townsville which is up in the Tropics (only been in vic 2yrs), and I kinda forgot how different the buildings were until I started to read these guides. But when I did move to Geelong...it was quite a shock how different everything was.

http://www.nt.gov.au/infrastructure/bss/house/index.shtml#SustainTropics
This is an NT govt website to promote smart home design. It covers a wide range of topics… however the best part of the site was regarding air conditioners. In a nutshell, it said – even if you don’t intend to have air conditioners… still design form them. This is funny as in a way its true…there will be an unbearable part of the year, when although you know a conditioners guzzle electricity… you just run out and buy one anyway cause you are soooo uncomfortable. (I’ve lived in the tropics for 18yrs…most of which without an air conditioners… its unbearable!)

http://www.bom.gov.au/lam/climate/levelthree/cpeople/build4.htm
The bureau of meteorology has given recommendations on different types of constructions for different climatic conditions.
Here are some of the main points raised:
-“Summers in this climatic zone are warm, rainy and uncomfortably humid. The body's natural cooling system (the evaporation of perspiration) does not work well, because the air is already so full of water vapour that it limits drying. Winters are warm, dry and sunny.”
-Maximise cooling through ventilation and minimise building heat gain.
-Pick a block with prevailing winds
-Design for through breezes
-Use ceiling fans
-Use light materials to prevent heat gain
-Include spacious outdoor living areas
-Make sure your garden does not inhibit winds… shade doesn’t really improve comfort due to the humidity… only wind will improve comfort

Sangath 7- Design Concepts

During studio session, we all exchanged the information that we had researched. From this, we were able to come up with our groups fundamental principles that will form the basis of our design.

Above are a few sketches that I had come up with during this session. An elevated building with a large open space with louvred walls and a large curved roof that will direct the hot air up towards the top of the roof away from the living area to increase the occupants comfort. The curved ends of the roof are good for water catchment also.

Sangath 4 first model

Group Six - Guidelines

What we worked out for our design:

Beginning to work out zones (diagrammatic):
Final whiteboard image of the day:

COMMUNAL AND INDIVIDUAL LIVING - Helena Bubica

Attached are a few selected extracts from the Neufert: Architect's Data and the New Metric Handbook: Planning and Design Data.

I have found that these books are really useful when beginning to design for any space or task. Not only does the Neufert and other design data books provide basic sizing for almost anything, but also provides anthropometric data and the minimal dimensioning and sizing for any living space, including both communal living and individual living.

Sangath 3 - General Floorplan

After many group meetings, discussions/debates, and sharing of ideas and beliefs, we have come up with a general floor plan. The basis of it is the idea of a central hub of social activity within the home. This organic form contrasts to the cubic arms that branch out from it, identifying it as a different place, and different function.

There are permanant bedrooms and visitor bedrooms that branch from this central area. The visitor bedrooms are separated in such a way as to be able to be opened up to be used as an extended living room when guests are not there.

RESEARCH INTO SHADING EFFECTIVENESS - Helena Bubica

Conclusions on shading effectiveness.

Here is some of my research into the differents types of shading devices and their effectiveness.

The following is to note: The sun protection effect for glass surfaces depends on several factors:

• The reflectivity of solar radiation of the applied material and it's colour coating (A),
• The location of the shade protection which influences the reradiation and convection heat impacts (B),
• And, the specific arrangement of the applied shading method (C).

The above images show a table and picture format of displaying these conclusions and results.

Even though our team Sangath 7 have decided in week 6 to use NO GLASS, I decided to still post this initial research that I have gathered on the topic anyway.

To read this table information - the highest panel states the level of: 'Shading Coefficient (Transmitted Radiation Impact)'. The result is pictured and described below it's value.

Image 1: Levels 1.00 - 0.75

Image 2: Levels 0.75 - 0.50

Image 3: Levels 0.50 - 0.25

Image 4: Levels 0.25 - 0.00

Affordable Building - Helena Bubica

'BUILDING CHARACTER ON A BUDGET' Article from The Age Newspaper, Sat August 15, 09.

This article, written by Kerrie O'Brien shows that sound design principles and a strong aesthetic need not have a large price tag and big footprint.

A major point of discussion and debate is the affordability of GOOD DESIGN...

When we look back to Robin Boyd and Peter Corrigan, they have been well known for their egalitarian approach, and arguing that good design should be available to all and should not be expensive.

Karla Martinez, a young architect (29) who has graduated from RMIT in 2003, has worked for Paul Morgan Architects and also for Ashton Raggatt McDougal.

This design concept she has come up with is featured in the article.....

Two three bedroom units in Wonthaggi.

I have found that this article is a really good source of information in terms of sound design principles and strong aesthetics.

Some key features are:

• Reducing building footprint (ecologically sistainable development, something which volume builders are known for).
• New housing should reduce the need for urban growth and urban boundary expansion - Karla Martinez argues this can be achieved by building compact homes on smaller blocks of land.
• To reject what a house should look like, therefore affordable houseing should challenge and reject percieved ideas of what we believe a house should look like.
• "The product should be challenged by proposing new ideas".
• Martinez tackled the problem by running the driveway on the easment, which also increased the solar penetration into the house.
• "The design was inspired by rock formations".
• Savings have been made in the following areas, all of which can potentially be adopted in other projects: orientating the house so it faces north; avoiding west-facing windows; choosing standard finishes and fixtures; sticking to standard building details; cutting brick where plywood commences; building eaves around the windows in lieu of standard eaves; building window frames on site; and using a skillion roof, which was cheaper than a pitched roof.

Sangath 7- Initial Thumbnail

At the previous group meeting, we had all assigned everyone tasks to complete during the week from which we were to produce one thumbnail.
















This one of the thumbnails produced with design recommendations in mind, after analysis of the climate at the Kakadu site. Design recommendations are:

• Orientated long E & W
• Elevated
• Single banked
• Large permanent shading
• Open spacing
• Outdoor sleeping area
• Ample rainwater drainage/ catchment

Sangath 7- Kakadu Climate Analysis

MINIMA - Helena Bubica

Attached are the images and photographs of my Minima presentation. Apologies for the rotation of the first two images.....im not sure how to rotate!!?

Sangath 4 Climate Calculation

Sun path @ kakadu in january 22nd

Sun path @ kakadu in june 22nd

Time temperture chart

psychometric chart

These are some of the information used for find about the climate of the tropical kakadu