To whom it may concern,
This contract was forged and written under strict guidelines and protocol set out by Copacabana 8. Those witnessing the signing of the contract will be strictly held by those guidelines. Failure to abide by those values and idealogies are punishable by the dunce hat.

Copacabana 8 - Dylan, Andrew and Emma

Contract – Marcel, Jonathan, Alison

Below is the Contract of Copacabana Domus Team 1 (Marcel, Jonathan and Alison) aka the fully sick fully hot team, all individual lawyers have been contacted, hence the disclaimer (rule 7). We have all agreed to work diligently to ensure an effective design for Domus, while also ensuring we enjoy the assignment and have fun to avoid going crazy.

1. All efforts must be made to contact all group members before decisions are made (including meeting times). If in the case contact cannot be made in the time required MAJORITY rule (2-1)
2. Group members must complete the tasks they agree to do during meetings according to schedule set.
3. Group members must attend meetings organised (1 per week).
4. Marcel is responsible for passing instructions on in regards to schedule.
5. Members must be open to and listen to all ideas suggested.
6. In the result of an argument no physical violence will be tolerated especially the involvement of 'da cousins'.
7. All rules on contract may be amended at a later date upon group agreement.

Minima

analysis of minimal space required to complete every day tasks











experiementation with materials and structure











final design














model of chair, table and bed

Hi all,

since domus is focusing on the design of a building according to the environment, i did some web browsing and found an interesting website about sustainable architecture and designing for the built environment, enjoy.

http://www.green.net.au/srd/architecture.html

Dogtrot House - Hot/Humid Climate

Seeing as the new Archi 2A project is upon us, i thought i'd look into some houses that have been designed in similar climate zones to what we have in Domus, 'Hot/Humid'.

On GreatBuildings.com i found the Dogtrot House.

This is a quote from the site on it:

“One of the more ingenious methods of cooling in the days before air conditioning, the Dogtrot house originated in the southern Appalachian Mountain region. It is distinguished by an open breezeway that extends through the center of the house, off of which open the rooms. With this design, cooling breezes flow through the open core and into the rooms where windows on the exterior walls create cross-ventilation.”

So distinctive features of the house seem to be large eaves for shade, open plan for ventilation and breeze and timbers to keep the internal temperature at a minimum. Hopefully we can get some good ideas of it!

Cheers.

Project 2: Minima (not Minimal again...)

Ok, so i'm in the blog posting mood so here's my second project, 'Minima'...(not Minimal as you'll see i wrote on the first poster). Again, this was about creating a simple and minimalist livable space. The twist on this project though was that it had to be demountable and moveable, getting us to think a bit more about the structure...crafty people!

Basically started this one out exploring what was an effective way to create a solid enough structure to live in, but was easily taken apart, then it struck me...a jigsaw puzzle! We've all done them, all been frustrated by how hard they can be to finish, especially when that one last piece isn nowhere to be found. So i looked at how 3D puzzles went together. Basically in lots of seperate stages, then all brought together to form one solid construction.

So i ran with the idea and got stuck. A permanent brain explosion had occured and i couldn't think of anywhere else to go with it. So i started with another idea: a cube that could be pulled apart in all directions so that when it wasn't being used would take up very little space, but when it was used would expand to be enough area to live in. The idea was working well but seemed a little boring...so i had a brainwave...combine the two! So what i ended up with was a 3D jigsaw puzzle that could be expanded to live in. So then more ideas started to come like changable images, so one day you could have an image like the Australian flag (like in the poster), then the next day you'd do a double take as it now has the Deakin logo on it (goin for some site references here). So you've got a living sculpture in front of the uni which for the habitee (if its not a word it is now), is like putting together 3D jigsaw puzzle.

So now that my rant is over, heres the posters...

Analysis: Basically exploring how moving objects changes your experience in the same space which is critical to my design.

Concepts: Here you can see on the left how my jigsaw idea developed and on the right is my 'pull-apart' cube. Then somewhere along the way they fuzed to get me out of trouble because i had no idea where i was going...

Final Presentation: So here's the end product. Axo gives you a good idea of what i've come up with after some stressful moments thining about throwing the ideas away all together.

Model: So here's my little sectional model that i whipped up. Not one of my finer creations but still worthy of an appearance up on the blog. Shows basically just the form of the structure, the space in the end is used very simply because its a cube so not much attention was placed on that aspect.

So if anyone feels like it, please leave some comments, both good and bad :P and i'll see what i can improve on for Domus.

Cheers guys!

Project 1: Minimal

Well better late then never i say! Only a little overdue but heres my work from the first project, titled 'Minimal'. Constructing a living space with limited resources, blocks and some plywood to be exact. Basically went with 3 completely different approaches for working with what was available instead of 3 fairly similar approaches.

First poster shows my design process, just playing around with what worked and wat didn't. Then move onto the second and you get to see my brilliant final concepts!

Hey. This is the weakest part of my architectural ability and that is making a model, the cuts, bruises and frusteration are just not nice teaching you to start assignments a couple of days before they're due. The big pod rotates and the littlier pod remains stationary throughout.

This is the first of three posters, mainly discussing the ideas and thoughts that I had, which I hoped to achieve and present through the architecture, (which I always struggle to achieve?). I hoped to present a space, for myself, which allowed me to function normally, studying on the floor as desks are too constrictive, etc.

However, through my development process, after beginning with the bare minimal of pocessions, I decided upon a room that will rotate for the shower, and remain in the horizontal position for most of the day for cooking, cleaning (to which I do a lot of!) and studying. To avoid any difficulties that may be caused by plumbing the toilet was separate from the main pod and remained stationary through out.

The structure is moved from site to site by setting the wheels out and pulling it in a similar fashion to a trailer. It is light and the pods are locked into position throughout each rotation to avoid unwanted movement throughout the moving process.

AND HERE IT IS

THE FINAL

After adapting the ideas developed come up with design below, a comfortable, easily constructed living space for 1. (i apologise for the colour for some reason when i upload it it inverts the colour (I've tried over and over again))

the model (definitely not my strong point) was simply made to demonstrate the design at the 2 stages (packed up and fully erect)

HI ALL

Here's my minima assignment, i began the design according to one basic sketch (and yes i used Microsoft paint), which i thought encompassed the idea of minima.the sketch shows that a space to be minimal is to shrink a space down into the smallest possible form, yet still being able to complete all wanted tasks (note: i didn't say necessary as many of our 'needs' are simply making a regular task easier).

With this in mind i began my development, and what better way to start then to look at regular items which encompass the above idea. In terms of a portable dwelling two good examples were a tent (the basic shelter), and the caravan (for the more indulgent), while then to look at an item which provides a greater function in a small package i looked at the idea of the Swiss army knife.

The Swiss army knife really indicated that for an object to be small, space must be used efficiently and that goes for the internal furnishings, which is what i moved onto next, i looked at various bedding options, while also looking at the potential study space.

as these theories became clearer i began to sketch initial ideas, where i feel to have made various advancements.

IDEA 1

This idea played with the idea of folding walls that can double as desks, cutting tables dining space etc. it also played with the idea of folding down into a compact bow which could be moved around on a trolley or canoe wheels (thanks Sam (tutor) for the idea )

IDEA 2

This idea worked quite literally with my research in that it was shaped as a Swiss army knife and everything to do with living flipped out leaving the central space empty for sleeping.

IDEA 3

The most underdeveloped of my ideas i really just started looking at the options of material which retracts as in draw curtains and elements which fold like bi fold doors.

REFINEMENT

I then attempted to include the ideas that stood out from all 3 designs and combine them to create a designs which adequately answered the brief.

I believed that the folding and multi-use walls of idea 1 was very good as it allowed for it to fold into a compact space. however there were problems in terms of stability and weather proofing. i then drew on the ideas of the draw curtains as potential roof and wall (when original wall was in a bench/desk form). then in terms of stability i thought storage boxes that were attached to each wall would be able to act as a footing like system securing the structure to the ground.

however the hinged wall system had potential to fail so i looked at regular doors and how they are stopped from moving (usually a form of door stop at the bottom or a peg which hooks to a wall). i applied the pegs to the wall and believed that it would be able to withstand plenty of force while still being simple to construct.

DOMUS TEAM C4!!!
Starring the charming and witty Matt Francis, stupidly funny-looking Colin Mitchell, and ever hilarious (and tall) Nghia Tran.

By the way, these are our group rules that we have all agreed on...(as advised by our lawyers)

1: Each individual may agree to carry out special tasks agreed by the group.
2: Each member must make sure that work is completed on time and to the best of their abilities.
3: Each member contributes to ideas.
4:Each member must motivate and encourage each other to do their best.
5: Must find time each week to get together to do work.
6: Just as importantly, must find time to get together each week for a drink (strictly team bonding!)
7: Each member must be punctual to all team meetings.
8: No piss farting around while doing group work...(not too much anyway)
9: Each team member must help each other out.

By singing our group theme song "Don't worry be happy" by Bobby Mc Ferrin, we have agreed to abide by all the laws stated above in this contract and words within the song. Any breach in this contract will result in the offender being dealt severe penalties (massive wedgie and wet willy.)

*** Although this contract seems to be taken light-heartedly, it is an effort to create a relaxed atmosphere, which to us 3 members of the group, is our most productive environment. Who said school work had to be a chore???

This was my Sectional model at scale 1:10. It was placed in the same position as according to the site view on my "Synthesis" poster.

This was my "Synthesis" poster. On this poster were my sections, elevations and plans. Also, there was a site view showing where it would be placed on the site, which was the street parking outside of uni, on Gheringhap Street. It also showed how the design would be like all packed up, and ready to be transported away.

This was my "Concept and Process" poster. On this poster are my other three concept designs and the final of the one I chose on the right; how it opened up and also how it packed away. It incorporated aspects from each of my concept designs. Apart from thumbnail number 1, I thought that this poster clearly explained my ideas.

My first minimal poster detailed the development of my idea. My initial concept tried to use a skip shape, as this would be readily transportable. Upon picking the site I decided to try and build a tree house. This idea floundered until I found the rotating set of shelves which I chose to develop further.
This idea went three ways. I could either

create useable spave above and below, where the user slept above under cover, as was the original concept. I could remove the steel support and have the shelves anchored to a tree, creating useable space only below, or I could not allow access above, but keep the steel structure, making the dwelling independant of any external support, and perhaps creating a more buildable solution.

I decided upon the first option more because of personal preference than any higher expectation of plausability.
My second poster detailed what I believed minimal to be, what aspects of my design were minimal and how the dwelling worked when fully expanded.

My third poster described the stages of the design, and works with the model to describe the mechanics of the outcome.
This model shows the mechanics of the rotating shelves. I found it particularly difficult to create a system whereby the shelves would line up flush in the upright position. Further design problems included:
-supporting the shelves when they were folded out. This was solved by creating steel that folded out from next to the main supprts.
-Making a system whereby one person could lift the shelves. This was solved by providing a rope attached to the bottom shelf, around the top of the folded out steel frame, and over the top of the set of shelves.
-allowing someone to step upon the first shelf to climb it. This was solved by lowering it and removing the storage from below it.
- Providing a private toilet and shower. This was solved by placing doors before the shelves. When the shelves were opened the doors could be closed again enclosing the space the unit folded out from.
- Covering the person when they were sleeping above. This was never properly resolved, and ended up with a pull over canopy stored in the top most shelf.
- Getting up and down without having to lower the shelves every time. A ladder could be folded out of the bottom shelf, and was accessible from the internal space made by the cut-out of that shelf to make room for the toilet.
This design process, model and drawings took an unbelievable amount of time for a three week project, and resulted in a P :)

This is my "Analysis" poster. on this poster, I wanted to show what kind of equipment I would use in my design, and provide the basic dimensions of a human body according to the anthropometrics. However, I probably should have shown how the equipment would have actually been used in my design. For this project, I tried to make it practical, demountable, and anthropometric.