Part 3: Application

CABIN TOLO

Site Analysis

The site for the proposed cabin shares only one similarity with the exemplar, that is the narrow width of the site, and is very different in every other way. This is evident most obviously in the gradient, but also the close proximity to other residential structures which blocks afternoon sunlight and impedes on privacy. These two aspects along with the glimpses of nature on a few facades provides the site with a vastly different set of constraints and opportunities.

Site Plan

Site Analysis

House as an Environmental Filter

I have identified and attempted to incorporate to key elements of Casa Tolo in terms of its relationship with the environment. Firstly the placement of sleeping modules to gain full effect of natural morning sunlight, a concept that I adapted to the sleeping and cooking/living components of my design. The second element was the way in which house is slightly set into the land as it flows down the hill. Alvaro stated that this choice was made due to economic reasons as it is a cheap way to heat and cool the house. In my design I have done the exact opposite by elevating the house above ground, however I believe this to be the most obvious solution as it in turn will provide an economic solution to cooling the house, which in Brisbane climate serves as the main challenge.

House as a container of Human Activity

The special organization of Casa Tolo is very clearly defined both in plan and section. This was difficult to achieve in Cabin Tolo due to the site itself, the limit of only two stories and a maximum interior floor space of 75 square meters, however I tried to replicate this through the division made by the geometric pattern in plan and by separating the work space entirely from the living unit.

The idea of mirrored interior and exterior stairways was a concept that pleased me in Alvaro’s design that I wished to implement. This was done by making ablution, living and eating spaces available on the exterior and interior of the building which can be seen as an almost mirror reflection in plan.

Spacial Study

The inclusion of a reflective space in our brief was one that isn’t readily visible in Casa Tolo,  I thought that the pool located at the bottom of the building would be the ideal place for reflection. Unobstructed views across the park with only nature surrounding was what lead myself to the inclusion of a pool space within my design.

House as a Delightful Experience

The unique nature of Casa Tolo is derived from its form. The stair that runs the length of the building taking the user on a journey was Alvaro’s attempt to replicate the stair drawings of M.C Escher that he loved. In creating Cabin Tolo, I researched some Escher drawings and chanced upon a grid that he drew, which I in turn used as the inspiration for my design, implementing it in plan as the essential factor in dividing up spaces/functions and driving the design to completion

Explanatory Diagramming