Building Layout & Design: Building Layout.
"We
connect with the natural world when we can see the outdoors from inside
the building, can see the weather, can see the path of the sun across
the sky as sunlight sweeps across our space in diurnal and seasonal
patterns. Daylight spaces re-integrate us into hard-wired natural rhythms.
An indoor fountain that only comes to life during a rainstorm may surprise
and delight us, like a bell that calls us to mindfulness. When windows
can open, we can feel a breeze and hear a bird sing or possums squabbling.
Edible plants growing in indoor planters tempt us to nibble as we pass
and remind us our basic sustenance indeed comes from the Earth. We are
also reminded of our place in the world when our buildings are made
of materials that the ancient part of our brain recognizes. Wood, stone,
grasses, natural fabrics … it's comforting to be surrounded by
materials we co-evolved with." (Rosenbaum, 1998)
Architect: Anthony Donovan
Structural Engineers:Mills Engineers
The Newton House building layout was based on the following factors:-
1. The occupants need, lifestyle and comfort.
The Newton House will cater for 2 professional adults without children.
It will need to provide for basic needs such as sleep, cooking, dining,
work areas, entertaining, bathing and laundry and storage areas. Lifestyle
areas include relaxation, entertaining and home brewing. The house
is developed around two "Pods". Access is via a protected
courtyard, with doorways from the courtyard leading to Pod 1, Pod
2 and a cellar.
Pod 1 will contain the bedroom, storage/walk in robe, bathroom, toilet
and laundry. It has been designed to ensure the toilet and wash facilities
are readily accessible to a guest.
Pod 2 contains the kitchen, storage/pantry and living area. Attached
to the structure of Pod 2 is the cellar and office. These are placed
to function independently. Car storage will be situated underneath
Pod 2.
2. Regional factors - climate zone, wind and rainfall. The design
provides warm and cool areas. The courtyard will catch the morning
sun in winter and is protected from winter winds. Meanwhile the south
deck has full cover from the summer sun and capture's the summer breezes.
3. Site factors that have influenced the building design include:
- Views, the house has been designed to frame the views from each
room, and to extend living areas into the outside environment.
- Environmental protection has been considered in design.
- The house will be built on poles to minimise excavation and damage
to the topsoils.
- The area selected for building will require less clearing than other
options on the site.
4. Energy efficiencies and thermal benefit.
The house meets the principles of passive solar design. Using the
BERS energy star rating for houses - the Newton House is 4 1/2 stars,
and should maintain an internal tempature 16 - 26 degrees throughout
the year without artificial heating or cooling.
5. Optimal use of natural lighting will minimise the
use of artificial lighting.
6. Sustainable features are strongly incorporated in the architectural
drawings. The concepts discussed under building design are central
to the building layout. For example, the house was built as a pole
house instead of slab on ground to reduced the embodied energy or
concrete, reduced the impact on natural flora and fauna, and minimised
disturbance to natural stormwater drainage.
7. As owner builders, it was necessary for the Newtons
to have a house that could be built in stages. The pod design was
created so a council approved portion of the house could be moved
into whilst the second pod was still being built. (initially the laundry
will be also used as the kitchen)
8. The Engineering of this house has taken into account
the requirement for low energy/CO2 consumption during construction,
and for the life of the building.
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