I'll be trying to accomplish two things with this post. First, to get in
writing something I have been churning and refining in my mind for quite
some time and, secondly, to see if I can describe in words what would
normally be illustrated with images. Sort of a little mental exercise on
my part.
For some unknown reason my Dad subscribed to Architectural Digest when I
was a teen. Very glossy with high quality photography and a wide range
of modern architecture. I devoured every issue. Two particular designs
stuck with me over the years. One was an open, almost austere space in
Martha's Vineyard. The other was a particular design for the tropics to
beat the heat and promote airflow. Eventually I began to combine in my
mind the aesthetics of one with the technology of the other. I'll try to
describe the result:
First, the floorplan. Imagine a series of super-imposed squares (would it
be correct to call them concentric?). The outermost square represents
the boundry of the slab. We will label this S1 (square one). I have no
dimensions for this square. The size of the slab will depend on the
amount of interior space you require. The next smallest square, S2,
represents the load-bearing exterior wall of the structure. The distance
from S1 to S2 is somewhere between 3 to 4 meters. The space formed by
these two squares is an external porch and breezeway that encircles the
entire house. The S1 "wall" is screened. The S2 wall is pierced on all
sides with double-glazed french doors and tall casement windows, all of
which open outwards into the screened porch.
At the center of the design is S3. Its size is determined by how much
stuff is grouped in it. All heat producing things are located within S3.
This includes the kitchen, washer and dryer, hot water heater, bathroom
and perhaps even a small sauna. If it generates heat it needs to be
located here. The distance between S2 and S3 is the open living space
and is variable depending on the amount you require.
Now a stab at the elevation. S1 and S2 are of a normal, single story
height with a bit of an incline in the roof for drainage. S3, however,
is at least twice the height of S2 and is supported by four
floor-to-ceiling columns. Depending on the span from S2 to S3 there may
need to be an interim "square" of columns to support the roof beams
between S3 and S2. There are, however, no walls in the S2-S3 space.
More on this later.
The roof ends at the S3 perimeter. The open space is covered with a
pyramidal cupola that makes it weatherproof and allows for venting the
interior. Fitted into the S3 open space is a large exhaust fan like the
ones used to ventilate warehouses. In hot weather all the heat generated
by the S3 items at floor level is vented and a fresh breeze is drawn into
the interior through the S1 screens and the open S2 windows and doors.
Yes, the idea is to live without air conditioning in Texas which makes me
certifiable. In cold weather louvers are shut above the fan and the
rising heated air is redistributed downwards through baffles into the
S2-S3 space. If the ambient heat is insufficient a heater can be added
into the mix for the coldest days. This could be a real energy-saver,
especially if you put solar panels into the mix.
And now concerning the disturbing lack of walls. The Martha's Vineyard
structure was essentially a rectangle with glass walls. The roof was
supported by slender wooden columns and no interior walls. The entire
space was in dark hardwoods, sort of a New England take on Philip
Johnson's Glass House. "Rooms" and privacy were achieved with chinese
screens and window curtains. All the furniture, even beds, bookcases and
wardrobes, were on lockable casters. The entire interior could be
quickly reconfigured, whether by necessity or on a whim. Outlets and
connections were all flush floor mounted. Obviously not a house for
raising children or close neighbors and probably requiring a secluded
setting. I've always wanted to live in a space like that. I'll never
get the chance, of course, but at least I got it down on "paper"...
