Mystery Play- Garden City

The idea

I worked with use of line, positive/negative space,open/closed space and folding planes which was a theme in one of my previous models from assignment one. Rather than create an introverted structure, I decided to design a scheme that creates areas of isolation (privacy) to define each house and its function and integrate it with designated public spaces to bring all the houses together and bring a sense of community to the overall scheme.
-Used cross programming to make the overall grid function as a whole by establishing alternate access routes within the site and layered floor planes of designated public and private space.

How I organised the site

-Divided 36xm36m grid into four 9x36m units.
-Each house separated into two pavilions. Living quarters in one space and sleeping, bathroom, garage within the other.
-open space between two pavilions form an elevated courtyard and roof garden.

Orientation

-Main facades of house run in north/south direction.
-Maximum light entry into bedroom and living areas.
-Direct entry into house from street and garage access onto street from opposite side of the block.
-Stairway leads from garage up to central courtyard.

Privacy

-Each space both public and private areas allow occupant to inhabit its own individual site or open spaces which connect with the other houses.
-Private roof garden and courtyard separated from neighbouring courtyard by privacy screen. Semi-transparent so maintain connection with adjacent housing and create openness.
-Fully enclosed courtyard next to garage. More private garden space.
-Each house elevated which frees up open area below create unobstructed circulation between houses.
-Central courtyard located within open space in middle of the grid. Can be accessed by all houses on the site. Promotes community interaction and prevents isolation of each house from one another.

Materiality

-Front and back facades are glass for views and light entry.
-Side of building which meets with neighbouring house is a solid concrete wall.
-Opposite side has both glass for windows (minimal) and solid concrete which cuts out excessive noise from traffic and sun glare.
-The privacy screen in the roof garden is made from timber which accentuates the feel of nature within a man made environment. Blurs the lines between what is organic and what is artificial.