Submission 1: Equus

The Four Designs here are for a residence for the male park attendant. The client here is a man living on his own who is disconnected to the outside world and uses his home as a retreat from society that surrounds him. However he feels a deep connection to the environment to which must be taken into consideration. I have captured this idea of hiding and embracing nature and in particular, views.


In Design 1, I have the front facade closed to the public view, which in turn had no view upon the public. This is in motivation of his solitary attitude. The entrance to the main body of the house is located well within the site allowing a private entry which is in signifies his disconnection from the outside world. The House is formed around the courtyard and is accessible from the entry so that the park attendant can see visitors whilst keeping his privacy.

The detachment of the study zone and tower is so that it is a retreat from day-to-day life and is uninterrupted by the noise and clutter, and provides an escape. In this design the tower is in the study zone- a tower of light streaming into the space, to which the mirror is on the floor reflecting the heavens. Metaphorically it is a gateway to his late wife, who passed away from illness many years ago.









In design two similar ideas have been incorporated into the design. Views are limited to that of the surrounding environment and closed off from society. The tower, in this design, is a shaft of light coming from a vertical window, to which the mirror is affixed to the wall running perpendicular to the window, to which would be illuminated when the sun strikes it at the particular angle.









The client at hand shows an obsessive interest in the Black Panther to which he his behaviour has undeniable similarities to some of the characteristics of this wild animal. Just as the panther hides waiting for prey, the Park attendant hides away in his home, away from social interaction. In house Design 3, the large solid wall on the side of the house essentially ‘hides’ the home; the wall shields all public view of the house. At the same time it emphasises his dislike and disconnection with the outside world. As a person he has disconnected himself from society but immersed himself in the environment. View of nature is vital, thus the full height glazing on the back facade allowing a comprehensive view out upon the surrounding landscape. The view to the forest surrounding area is directed and focused; no other perspective can be seen from his living area. The tower in this design is located at the base of the living/kitchen window [tower not in photos] it acts as a tunnel to look down, when the client looks down he meets his own own reflection.










Design 4 follows on with this approach, in that there is a large wall acting as a blocking device from external views. Here the rear of the residence is open to the surrounding landscape as to satisfy the client’s passion for nature. The tower in this residence takes the form of a glass wall within the living space looking across the walkway to the mirror situated on the backside of the front wall. This is to serve as a reminder to the client that the client cannot exist without the external world.















THE WORKING DRAWINGS:

Design 1:



Design 2:



Design 3:




Design 4: