The Nature Disconnect – Week 1 (1)

The Day Project

For the introduction of this project we were to identify and research 3 brands, architectural practises, products or initiatives that are actively working to reconnect humanity with nature whilst having a positive effect on the environment, then present them to a handful of our peers.

I took to the internet where I found ten architectural practises that stood out to me:

• Earth sheltered
• Recycled modern
• Domed and organic
• Prefab and tract
• Pueblo and revival
• Rammed earth
• Multifamily eco units
• 21st century/Mid-century modern
• Small or tiny homes
• Hybrid, custom, evolving

I took a few of these practises and developed my research further and took notes whilst watching different videos to see how these would be carried out. I also looked into where most of these would take place as different climates or landscapes could hinder the usage of them.

Earth Sheltered

• Partially below ground, takes advantage of the soil’s insulation.
• Energy efficient
• Also known as “bermed” – ground level or dug into a hillside with earth compacted around at least two sides, typically the top/roof and around the rear.
• Sub-ground living areas, central atrium or large courtyards = providing natural light, cool air and insulation

Recycled Modern

• “Weird,” “amazing” and “unusual” homes, non-traditional.
• Bottles and cans, old tires, and other trashed and found items are building materials for recycled architecture.
• These structures are green because they reuse available items.
• A house that embraces irregular sizes and design in order to use recycled materials is realistic without having to be extreme.

Domed and Organic

• Buckminster “Bucky” Fuller – “doing more with less”
• Made up of interconnected triangles, which use a minimum of materials to create an open space for living, the domes were thought to be ideal because of their low cost and sturdiness.
• Yurt – circular walls built up in one layer or many layers of circles, a strong tent.
• Uses fewer materials

I then went onto look at where these practises have been used and developed my information further. I also made little presentation boards for the presentation.

Narrowed down research

Earth sheltered housing/bermed houses

E.g. Cesar Manrique’s Volcano house/Cesar Manrique Fundación

An earth house (also known as an earth berm, an earth sheltered home, or an eco-house) is an architectural style characterized by the use of natural terrain to help form the walls of a house. An earth house is usually set partially into the ground and covered with thin growth. Modern earth houses are built with concrete walls and insulation.

Unlike traditional residential houses built on the ground, the aim of building an earth house is not to live under or in the ground, but with it.  If ground and house are separated, a house is built “into the air”, resulting in the loss of heat and humidity, and the exterior shell of a building loses lifespan. The earth house concept uses the ground as an insulating blanket that efficiently protects it from rain, low temperatures, wind and natural abrasion. An earth house does not have to be built under the ground, it can be placed onto naturally grown terrain. The earth house is a flexible construction which can be built according to the wishes of its owners, fulfilling the requirements for individuality and energy conservation.

Recycled Modern

E.g. Cardboard Cathedral

The Cardboard Cathedral, formally called the Transitional Cathedral, in Christchurch, New Zealand, is the transitional pro-cathedral of the Anglican Diocese of Christchurch, replacing Christchurch Cathedral, which was significantly damaged in the 2011 Christchurch earthquake. It was designed by architect Shigeru Ban and opened in August 2013. It is located several blocks from the permanent location of Christchurch Cathedral.

An A-frame style, rising 24 metres (79 ft), it would incorporate 86 cardboard tubes of 500 kilograms (1,100 lb) each atop 6 metres (20 ft) long containers, with eight shipping containers forming the walls. The foundation is concrete slab.

The architect, Shigeru Ban, is known for his work with paper, particularly cardboard tubes which he uses to quickly and efficiently house disaster victims. For Ban, one of the most important themes in his work is the “invisible structure”. That is, he does not overly express his structural elements, but rather chooses to incorporate them into the design. Ban is not interested in the newest materials and techniques, but rather the expression of the concept behind his building. He deliberately chooses materials to further this expression.

Limited material availability during times of disaster relief reconstruction is a major concern and involves increased market prices. Paper tubing on the other hand, not being a typical building material, is comparatively inexpensive and very accessible. In a special case in Turkey in 1999, Ban was able to get paper tubing for free.

Domed and organic

E.g. John Lautner

Biophilic (organic) design is an approach to architecture that seeks to connect building occupants more closely to nature. Biophilic designed buildings incorporate things like natural lighting and ventilation, natural landscape features and other elements for creating a more productive and healthy built environment for people.

Elrod House is considered an example of organic architecture – a branch of modernism that is typified by more natural shapes than the style’s usual rectangular planes, and elements of the landscape incorporated into the buildings. Organic architecture was championed by Frank Lloyd Wright, for whom Lautner worked as an apprentice in the mid-1930s. Soon after, he opened his own firm and built many residential projects in California.

The layout is centred around a circular living room that measures 60 feet (18 metres) in diameter with an indoor-outdoor pool.

The space is covered by a huge wheel-shaped ceiling, formed by a set of alternating glass and concrete segments, and wrapped with a metal band around its outer edge. Light enters overhead through angled metal fins that form frames for the glazing.

Curved, sliding glass walls surround the front portion of the living area, opening to a terrace and the swimming pool that both face the view.

The Elrod House also made it onto the silver screen. A scene from the 1971 film Diamonds are Forever, from the James Bond series, saw actor Sean Connery thrown into its pool by a bikini-clad bodyguard.

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Taking it a step further…

Later this week we were given a brief where we are to complete four A2 concept boards that relate to every discipline and one that sums up our overall inspiration for this project. To help us find materials for our projects we went on a trip to Tentsmuir Forest, this also helped me find inspiration and a potential site for my Interior models.