Eco friendly Habitats
The Pearl and The Cape Schanck House
Nestled in Nature
Having an abode with serene beauty of nature surrounded is a dream coming true. In the midst of nature, a man truly enjoys the flora and fauna giving vents to the inner potentials. An attempt has been made by two different architects Jackson Clements Burrows Pty Ltd, Australia and Soleya, Oakland – United States to make this into reality. The following two projects are the classic examples of this concept.
CAPE SCHANCK HOUSE
The house is located on a high dune at Cape Schanck Victoria. The primary program is elevated to take advantage of expansive views across the Mornington Peninsula from Bass Strait to Port Phillip Bay. The house engages with the landscape in both form and materiality. The upper level extends westwards towards the views appearing to emerge from the Ti-tree over an artificial escarpment formed by the lower level.
Ti-tree Shrub & Hallowed Log
The undulating landscape at Cape Schanck is primarily a combination of cleared grass dunes (locally known as the Cups region) and expansive areas of dense Coastal Heath and Ti-tree shrub. The site is a designated wildfire zone and prior to the landscape being significantly cleared by early European farmers the area was inhabited by local aborigines.
On their first site visit, the designers of the project discovered the remnants of a hollowed out burnt log. This informed a starting point for an architectural exploration for the interiors and exterior where the form of the hollowed log suggested possibilities for an architectural solution.
The site is located on a high inland dune amongst dense coastal ti-tree shrub with expansive western views. On approach, the visitor is fronted by an expansive wall which conceals the primary upper level form. The lower level extends from the steep ground plane as a rendered plinth and forms a base much like the surrounding dunes. A winding driveway climbs the steep dune accessing the upper level behind a screen fence which conceals the view beyond. From here, the entry experience opens to expansive views over the living area, deck and pool.
Different Segments in a House
Programmatically, the house considers the needs of a retired couple and their extended family who regularly visit with grandchildren. The primary upper level form (conceived as a hollowed out log) contains the kitchen, dining, living, garage and laundry. A secondary upper level form (conceived as a branch extending from the log) contains the study, master bedroom and ensuite. These forms are both finished in spotted gum hardwood cladding which is stained black. Cedar windows and cladding left in a natural finish are sleeved into the black exterior accentuating the difference between the interior and exterior as if part of a natural weathering process. The lower level contains guest accommodation and conceals functional plant spaces for mechanical systems and pool equipment.
The house is orientated to the northwest embracing expansive views. To control passive heating in summer, the western windows are protected by extensive eaves and motorised external Vental louvre blinds automatically descend once the sun passes through the north axis. Extensive northern glass is also protected by sunshades which limit solar penetration in summer. Further, sustainable design considerations include fully automated electrical systems to reduce unnecessary power drain, bore water for garden and pool use and rainwater collection to tanks for all domestic use - town water was available however, the clients agreed that the connection was unnecessary.
This house engages with the landscape through manipulation of form, material and colour. The weathered black vertical cladding profile references the undercroft structure of the Ti-tree and upper level form extends from the hill at ground level rising to a ridge which then descends to the west. At distance, the cranked profile of the form responds to the undulating profile of the surrounding ti-tree scrub and immerses the building within its surrounds.
| Architects: |
Jackson Clements Burrows Pty Ltd Architects |
| Project Team: |
Tim Jackson, Jon Clements, Graham Burrows,Kim Stapleton, George Fortey, Brett Nixon. |
| Contact Person: |
Jon Clements |
| Project Address: |
Boneo Road, Cape Schanck
Victoria, Australia
|
| Project Type: |
Residential - New House |
| Project Size: |
400m² |
| Construction Cost: |
Confidential |
| Completion Date: |
2006 |
| Project Duration: |
Design 12 months
Construction 18 months
|
The Pearl
The internationally recognised Pearl design offers an attractive, ecologically sound habitat for leisure project such as individual suites and lofts. French designer David Fanchon, introduced this unique concept with his understanding of human form and its sensibilities with architecture to design optimally balanced habitats.
The shell’s interior has no weight bearing walls allowing limitless layout possibilities also providing its visitors with a pleasant lofty cocoon effect. Furthermore, units can be built on stilts offering minimal soil disruption.
The structure offers optimised passive solar attributes and its optional south facing solar panels add the promise of energy autonomy for each independent unit.
The buildings intrinsic shape and the use of wooden arches (FSC certified) allows it to blend with its surrounding and provide the structure with tremendous strength against earthquakes.
Besides its natural appeal, ‘The Pearl’ uses a rigorous selection of ecologically sound building materials and options bringing it to exceed LEED Platinum certification requirements. Available finishes allow for better durability along with economical build out and set up.
Passive Solar
This structure was designed with both the Sun’s daily and year-round course in mind. Its shape is optimized to take advantage of the Sun’s benefits when needed and to protect from its harsher heat when necessary.
The equator facing side of the structure offers large bay windows to take advantage of the Sun’s heat in the winter while being completely protected by its adapted roof during summer's warmer days, therefore keeping the house's interior naturally cooler.
This translates into a highly energy efficient home where the need to artificially heat and cool your interior is tremendously reduced.
Its unique shape and inclinable solar panels provide maximized solar energy gains and additional shade when necessary.
Earthquake Resistance
The use of FSC certified wooden arches as the main structural support also procures unparalleled earthquake resistance due to the lack of perpendicularity to seismic rays.
Protective: Anti seismic & Aerodynamic Shape
The roof's shape along with the use of thick wooden arches procures the structure with great resistance against earthquakes and high winds, providing inhabitants with the incomparable comfort and safety of a cocoon.
Its natural aerodynamics also provides the structure with great resistance to high winds (hurricanes, typhoons and so on).
Balanced and Convivial
The open layout allows light to fill the entire house without any obstruction giving its inhabitants a full 180º panoramic view. Every room gets its due share of sunlight; making this a pleasant environment for all individuals to grow and blossom.
Although, the designers suggest having the main living area in the structural center, creating a balanced distribution of living space, the interior layout is fully customizable, to suit all needs.
Ecological Materials & Options
- Durable & ecological white sun reflecting roof finish for controlled heat gains.
- Roofing shell insulated with a 1“ layer of air and a 12” layer filled with cork beads (>R28).
- Rainwater recuperation system ideally located at the base of the northern pedestal.
- Side external walls made of 12” thick engineered resin with built-in straw insulation.
- Geothermal and wood pellet fed heating systems diffusing floor radiant heat to both levels.
- Computerized venting system at the top of its large bay windows to automatically evacuate or circulate accumulated hot air.
Wellbeing
- The structure uses Nature’s spontaneous proportions (Golden number 1,618) to increase structural strength and promote a higher sense of wellbeing.
- Centralized layout for more conviviality and functional room distribution.
- Panoramic bay windows allowing a full 180° view from the main living area.
- Large east/west 180° outside sun deck partially shaded in the summer time.
- Computerized climate control system for all options (solar panels incline, vents, heating & energy gains).