PROJECT 2 | jamiejones

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN II

PROJECT 2: CONTEXTUAL FIT

The aim of this project is to adapt the existing building known as the Smith House, designed by Richard Meier in 1965. You are approached by a client that wishes to expand their current home (the Smith House), but who also want to retain its architectural integrity. To do this the systems that are contained within the original design must be understood and expanded upon, rather than being altered or destroyed.

CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS:

NARRATIVE:

Kim and James are a young couple who are the current owners of the Smith House on the shore of the Long Island Sound. They both love the outdoors and want to be able to invite family and friends around often. Therefore they would like a big family room and connected outdoor space that they can spend most of their time in, and which makes the most of the views across the Long Island Sound. They will also require a large private master bedroom within a suite containing a master bathroom and walk-in closets. They have also requested that the architectural integrity of the original design be maintained throughout the extension.

Rank:

1. Family Room/ Outdoor Space

2. Master Suite

3. Exercise Room

Sort:

Public

- Family Room

- Outdoor Space

- Dining Room

- Kitchen

Private

- Master Suite

- Exercise Room

- Bedrooms

- Bathrooms

Living Space

- Family Room

- Outdoor Space

- Dining Room

- Kitchen

- Exercise Room

Sleep/Relaxing Space

- Master Suite

- Bedrooms

- Bathrooms

Open

- Family Room

- Outdoor Space

- Dining Room

- Kitchen

Closed

- Master Suite

- Exercise Room

- Bedrooms

- Bathrooms

PRELIMINARY IDEAS:

By extruding some of the systems used in the existing house and by using different connecting joints I created 3 different preliminary designs. The first design uses a reveal connection to connect the extension to the existing building. It also maintains the additive/subtractive design he uses in the original building; The basic shape is simply 2 rectangles just as the existing house is one big rectangle. The second design uses a hinge connection between old and new, and the original layout of private and open rooms is mirrored in the extension. The final preliminary design is another reveal connection. Both the structure and circulation systems are extruded directly into the new design forming the basic shape of the building. The angled front to the family room distinguishes its hierarchal importance in the building.

From these 3 original ideas I developed a concept that met the needs of the client more appropriately. I used the hinge connection from the second preliminary design and extruded the structure and circulation using a mirror line through this hinge. This concept was then developed to reflect the greater importance of the family room/outdoor space. This was achieved in the final concept by altering the design to include a big circular family room as well as the circular balcony that was in the original concept.