Inspiration - Mosman 7

Some great images of buildings in a hot and arid climate.

Also note their use of rammed earth construction, corrugated iron and rusted iron. This is where we are heading with our building.

AC Thumbnails

Passive heating

I thought used effectively, this was a great method of providing warmth in winter. The slab is insulated and very thick and is exposed to winter sun, in the evening the heat radiates from the mass and heats the internal space.
The key to making it work would be ensuring summer heat cannot hit the slab and create an internal heat bank when it is not needed and trapping the heat in in winter, ie, an external louvered wall or doors etc.

RESEARCH > ARCHETYPAL HOUSING (ARID CLIMATE)

Online ESD Resources

A fantastic online ESD resource:

www.goingsolar.com.au

A retail store in Melbourne specifically for environmentally sustainable design.

UPDATE: NOT RIPE OR READY TO PICK !!!

TEAM DYNAMICS

> Whilst some areas of the design have been progressing in the way of generating ideas & research, we've already had out first HICUP!

We have been trying to resolve the final prematurely without nutting out the DESIGN PROCESS.

Today we've taken a step back to do things properly and EXTRACT the essence of our ideas, more collaboraiton.

We've had a big design session today & we're getting there. More tomorrow

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Passive Cooling techniques

Design Concept

Here is my design concept for dry/arid conditions. It takes into consideration the use of thermal mass to act as a heat supply in evenings and to maintain cooler temperatures during the day. This is bermed into the earth as well as being constructed from rammed earth.
Bedrooms are located on the east to make the most of cool evening easterly breezes.
The facility is enclosed with large screens which also aid to enclose the courtyard. The courtyard with pond or creek is incorported to provide a shelter during the day and create a cool breeze in the evening.
The living/kitchen area has a high ceiling so that hot air can rise out of the structure during the day.
An evaporative cooling system would also be incorporated.

Domus Detail - Water Catchment

Here was an idea for a detail of water catchment from the solar panels. Aletha had seen a similar detail on the McSween House. Another interesting idea is using the barbed columns as storm water drains, catching water from the panels and running it down inside the columns themselves.

More Preliminary Models for the Desert Domus

As we discussed a more outward aspect in relation to our modelling Amy and Aletha imagined more columnar fingers emanating from the wings of the model - but in an outward direction, so that windows may be placed at the extremeties of the building wings but yet be shielded from the hot desert sun. This way the building would engage more strongly in the landscape in which it sits. And I have to agree that such a modification to the model looks more aesthetically pleasing. Isn't it interesting that this design is evolving in a much similar way to desert creatures - hard outer skin with soft moist centre! Our tutor thinks the columnar barbs/fingers make the design look a bit like a dead carcass - perhaps it died of dehydration in the desert? - lol!

Preliminary Models for the Domus Project

Here are some picture of preliminary models made as we struggle to come up with an appropriate form for the Desert Domus Dwelling. The first posting is a model of two elongated forms that have earth massed around them. In the centre is a courtyard. The massed earth wings are intended to act as windscoops to bring breezes into the courtyard where a central pond is located to moisten air. The barbs reaching over the courtyard represent curved columns that are intended to shelter the courtyard and the pond from the hot desert sun and carry solar panels.

A criticism of this design raised by the team members is that this design is very insular. We would like to come up with some solutions so that the Domus has an outward aspect to the beautiful yet sparse desert terrain.

Earthships - A model for use of recycled materials in the desert?

I recommend looking at the website link below which will take you to some pictures of what are termed 'earthship houses'.

http://www.solarhomesonline.com/

These houses are bermed into the ground to provide thermal mass, but the wall structure is made from old tyres filled with dirt. The walls are stacked up and the roof is constructed of steel or wooden beams supported by the tyre walls. Some examples have even been totally submerged into the ground. Others (as shown) have domed roofs constructed by using a sand pile as formwork for a concrete cast. Of course the earthship houses are pretty radical and green - most of the time designed so they require no service link ups at all- totally self sufficient, even growing all their own vegetables. I think this could perhaps be a good solution to construction in the desert where transport of materials is expensive and we would like to use the thermal mass of the ground to protect from high daytime temps. Perhaps construction of part of the project out of tyres could make good use of old tyres littering the area? I'd really like to hear what you think of this concept and what ideas this may generate for you in terms of our Domus desert project.

Mosman 7 Preliminary Design Ideas/Principles for Jiln Bardi

Here are 3 preliminary design sketches for the Jiln Bardi site. The climate is hot-dry/arid. Design solutions to this climate as discussed in lectures may include:

• shade late morning/all afternoon;


• catch summer winds


• moisten air


• courtyard of heavy materials


• light colours


• wind scoops


• cooling from convection currents

These preliminary sketches show incorporation of some of these elements in various ways, however you may note that the sketches also show a strong interest in:

• sympathetic or appropriate response to landscape elements
• use of local/recycled materials
  

Mosman 7 Design Principles

Principles to be addressed in design:
- Use of screening/filtration of light
- Thermal Mass
- Ventilation/cross flow/natural evaporative cooling/wind scoops
- Sense of approach/enclosure
- Indigenous references

Scenario:
- Local meeting place
- Health/education/community outreach