Kengo Kuma

The Great (Bamboo) Wall House

General Information:

- Materials: predominantly Chinese bamboo and glass.

- Built on rolling terrain.

- South Westerly aspect (main façade).

- Near the original Great Wall of China.

-Is part of a groundbreaking development by Chinese tycoon Pan Shi Yi, who
brought together 12 leading architects from across Asia.

(http://int.kateigaho.com/mar04/architect-kuma.html)

A House is….

An Enviromental Filter:
- Materials are taken from the natural environment - primarily Chinese bamboo.

- Bamboo slats can be open and closed to control sunlight.

- Bamboo wall suggests an easy transfer of light and breeze from one side of
the house to the other. http://www.architectureweek.com/2006/0517/environ-
ment_1-2.html)

- Chose to leave the natural conditions of the landscape instead of

starting on flat land (http://www.materialicious.com/2009/10/kengo-kuma-
designs-the-great-bamboo-wall-house-in-china.html)

A Container of Human Activities:

- Relationship to the site’s context:

o “A straight, two-story wall of vertical bamboo forms the main facade,

and though it conforms to the undulating ground at its base (like the Great
Wall), Kuma sliced it off in a perfectly straight, horizontal line at the top, a sort
of tongue-in-cheek critique of its ancestor.” http://int.kateigaho.com/mar04/
architect-kuma.html)

- Bamboo is used to separate one zone from another while affording

glimpses of spaces beyond. (http://int.kateigaho.com/mar04/architect-kuma.
html)

- A central feature of the project is a two-story skylit space, actually an

exterior room—enclosed by bamboo walls on three sides—that seems to float
over a shallow pool. (http://int.kateigaho.com/mar04/architect-kuma.html)

A Delightful Experience:
References:

- Use of materials. As Kuma himself has noted, “The most interesting

Gradient Magazine, 2010. Kengo Kuma Designs The Great (Bamboo) Wall House in China
architectural possibility is living in contact with materials.” (http://int.kateigaho.
com/mar04/architect-kuma.html)
http://www.gradientmagazine.com/2009/10/kengo-kuma-designs-the-great-bamboo-wall-house-in-china/
(Accessed February 2010)
- Sought to manipulate and dramatize the design possibilities of bamboo.
(http://www.architectureweek.com/2006/0517/environment_1-2.html) Monospaced. 2008 – 2009. Materialicious: Shelter, Material and Objects.

- Material creates a meditative atmosphere – “transient and de- http://www.materialicious.com/2009/10/kengo-kuma-designs-the-great-bamboo-wall-house-in-china.html

pendent on the changes in the outside weather. (http://www.materialicious.
com/2009/10/kengo-kuma-designs-the-great-bamboo-wall-house-in-china.
html)
(Accessed February 2010)
Architecture Week. 2006. Two Green Houses: Bamboo House. http://www.architectureweek.
com/2006/0517/environment_1-2.html (Accessed March 2010)

- Modulation of light and shadow – light seeps through slats in the Youtube.com (Design Boom). 2007. Kengo Kuma Great (Bamboo) Wall. http://www.youtube.com/
bamboo, creating an interesting shadow formation and a harmonic effect. watch?v=xBoeWBdLOCA)

Kateigaho International Edition (Japan’s Art and Culture Magazine): Summer 2004. 2004 - 2005. Kengo
Additional Information: Kuma. http://int.kateigaho.com/mar04/architect-kuma.html) (Accessed March 2010)

Link to video on The Great (Bamboo) Wall House - (http://www.youtube.com/ Design Boom. 2010. Kengo Kuma: Selected work 1994 – 2004. http://www.designboom.com/contemporary/
watch?v=xBoeWBdLOCA) kuma.html (Accessed March 2010)
 Tom Kundig
Chicken Point Cabin
General Information:

- Northern Idaho, built 2002.

- Site: 0.5 acres
- House: 3400 square feet
- Accommodates 10 people
- Westerly aspect (window wall)
(http://www.homedesignfind.com/architecture/chicken-
point-cabin/).
A house is….

An Environmental Filter
- Cabin features a large 20 foot by 30 foot window
wall that opens the entire living area to the surrounding
landscape of forest and a lake. This design concept blurs the
line between outside and inside living.
- Low maintenance, unfinished materials were used:
steel, concrete block, plywood and concrete floors. These
materials would naturally age and give a finish that would
fit in with the natural environment.
- The front door is at normal width, but extends in
height to 19 feet. This design imitates the pine trees in the
surrounding dense forest. This filters out the surroundings,
but still also maintains being a part.

A Container of Human Activities

- The height of the front door is 19 feet, allowing it to
accommodate for ski equipment used in the surrounding
area.
- Strong blocks of colour define different spaces and
direct the viewer’s eye. http://www.olsonkundigarchitects.
com/Projects/101/Chicken-Point-Cabin

A Delightful Experience
- While the cabin’s design is about bringing the out-
side in, the fireplace inside the cabin gives a refuge for the
residents. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0NTE/
is_4_9/ai_n14709447/
- The window wall creates a beautiful picture frame of
the lake and forest outside.

Additional Info: Follow this link: http://vimeo.com/5862999 to

see a video of Tom Kundig discussing his designs.

References:

Weber, C. May, 2005. Custom / 3,500 square feet or less grand: Chicken Point Cabin,
Northern Idaho: Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen architects: Seattle. Residential
Architect. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0NTE/is_4_9/ai_n14709447/
(Accessed March 2010).

Home Design Find. 2010. Chicken Point Cabin. http://www.homedesignfind.com/

architecture/chicken-point-cabin/ (Accessed March 2010).

Images sourced from:

Olson Kundig Architects. 2010. Chicken Point Cabin. http://www.olsonkundigar-
chitects.com/Projects/101/Chicken-Point-Cabin (Accessed March 2010).
 Elizabeth Watson Brown
St Lucia House
(Exemplar house)
General Information:

- Built in 1998 at 3 Hiron Street, St Lucia. (Build-

er – Greg Thornton).
- It was highly awarded by the RAIA in 2000, and
from 2000-2008 has been published, analysed and ex-
hibited in Australia and internationally, and frequently
visited by distinguished architects and academics.
(http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/eserv/UQ:163464/
Claim_SLHouse.pdf)
- Direct northerly aspect.

Here is a link to a very in-depth analysis of St Lucia

House, and its significance as a design. (http://espace.
library.uq.edu.au/eserv/UQ:163464/Claim_SLHouse.
pdf)

The main points from the essay are as follows:

1) “It is a novel spatial configuration for housing that

demonstrates an economically feasible, socially and
environmentally sustainable and aesthetically and
culturally desirable model of higher density family liv-
ing for South-East Queensland”.
2) “Demonstrates a high level of achievement in the
art and science of architecture”.
3) “Exemplify and influence academic, professional
and public acceptance of a ‘regional modernist’ theo-
retical position and its values in Queensland”.
4) “Exemplify an appropriate model for future re-
search by design within the field of architecture”.
References:
Central Design elements:
- site originally the backyard of an old house 400 Skinner, P. Claims to the Significance of the St. Lucia House as De-
square metres. sign Research and Contribution to Knowledge. School of Geogra-
- Three large trees stand in line with one an- phy Planning & Architecture, University of Queensland, (2004)
other - house is a simple orthogonal plan built around Accessed via http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/eserv/UQ:163464/
Claim_SLHouse.pdf in March 2010.
these trees.
- Eco-plywood and unpainted fiber cement clad- Australian Institute of Architects, 2010. Cubes.
ding interchanges with full height glass panels http://www.architecture.com.au/icms_file?page=12336/Cubes_
- Immensity of the living room is heightened by May_2009001.pdf (Accessed February 2010).
the stretch of the full height windows
Queensland Art Gallery, 2010. Placemakers: Contemporary
- Dramatic play of lines
Queensland Architects. www.qag.qld.gov.au/placemakers (Ac-
- Emphasis on the intersections and connections cessed February 2010)
of the inside and outside

Follow this link for more information - Images sourced from:

(http://74.125.153.132/search?q=cache:l1Obbuj4F7EJ:stud
entbiennale.com.au/i-cms_file%3Fpage%3D12336/Cubes_ Elizabeth Watson Brown Architects, 2010. St Lucia House http://
May_2009001.pdf+st+lucia+house+elizabeth+watson+brown&c www.elizabethwatsonbrownarchitects.com.au (Accessed March
d=7&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=au&client=safari) 2010)
Elizabeth Watson Brown
St Lucia House
(Exemplar house) S I T E A N A LY S I S
N
- Window wall has Northerly as-
pect street frontage.
- Entry from the street northen
face.
- Entry to the right of house
- River within 100 metres
- Close proximity to surrounding
houses and street.

2m 10m
Roof Plan 1:200

St Lucia
House site
 Elizabeth Watson Brown
St Lucia House
(Exemplar house)

A House is….

An Environmental Filter:
“Her architecture is notable for the blurring of boundaries between
the landscape and interior domestic space and a sensuous engage-
ment with the subtropical climate” (www.qag.qld.gov.au/placemak-
ers)

- Breezy passageway for extra natural ventilation. Micro-cli-

mate: positioning of trees pre-cools summer breeze entering house.
(http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/eserv/UQ:163464/Claim_SLHouse.
pdf) Ground floor 1:200
2m 10m
- Emphasis on the intersections and connections of the inside
and outside. It is an architectural space which is “neither fully inter-
nal nor fully external, and that offer the stimulating experience of
N
ambiguous enclosure”.
- House is built around the existing three trees on the site
(two mango trees, one Poinciana) (http://www.architecture.com.au/
icms_file?page=12336/Cubes_May_2009001.pdf)
o Footings: “The stability offered by deep, engineered pier
footings (necessitated by soft alluvial soils), encouraged the decision
to build unconventionally close to the substantial existing trees as a
fundamental siting decision”.
(http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/eserv/UQ:163464/Claim_SLHouse.
pdf)

A Delightful Experience:
- Window wall presents a cinematic view of the textural
landscape outside. (http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/eserv/UQ:163464/
Claim_SLHouse.pdf)
- Reflection of dappled light from the surrounding trees and
1st floor 1:200
pool enters through the window wall, creating a harmonic effect.
This is possible due to the manipulation of the sun orientation.
o “The simple, unadorned surfaces of the architectural spaces N
were designed to be enlivened by diurnal and seasonal movements
of light, shadow and reflection made possible by the solar orienta-
tion and extreme adjacency of trees and water. Planned and realised
visual effects include the alternating seasonal dominance of sunlight
or shadow, animated leaf shadow and dappled light cast on wall
planes; tracery silhouettes on translucent glass and canvas screens,
and rippling water reflections and sparkles on walls and ceilings.”
(http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/eserv/UQ:163464/Claim_SLHouse.
pdf)

- Spacial configuration: Small, hidden, private balcony niches

gives delight through split-level manipulation. (http://espace.library.
uq.edu.au/eserv/UQ:163464/Claim_SLHouse.pdf)

Roof Plan 1:200 Critical Section

 Elizabeth Watson Brown
St Lucia House
(Exemplar house)
A house is.....

A Container of Human Activities:

- Allows passive climate control.

- No walls to define different areas of house i.e.

Living room is designed as one large open space - island
bench in kitchen used to slightly define areas. Critical section
(Easterly aspect)
1:100 1m 5m
- Unique special sequence brought about by
split level planning assists movement. (http://www.
architecture.com.au/icms_file?page=12336/Cubes_
May_2009001.pdf)

- Neighbourhood Engagement. “The openness of

living spaces and decks to the street allows visual and so-
cial engagement with street and neighbourhood activity.
It seeks to re-invigorate traditional front verandah, front
porch and front fence community socialising threatened
by more defensive and introspective housing design”.
(http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/eserv/UQ:163464/Claim_
SLHouse.pdf)

Here are three some design elements explored in great

depth in a claim by St Lucia House’s co-architect, Axonometric perspective
Peter Skinner: (http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/eserv/ (Interior bedroom/living area)
UQ:163464/Claim_SLHouse.pdf)

• Household Focus. “The physical and symbolic

centrality of the open living spaces within the vertical
arrangement reinforces family intercommunication while
sliding doors permit sub-division into three different
social settings”.

• Privacy Gradients. “The sectional half-level
vertical alternation gives free spatial intercommunication
between all five levels of the open arrangement, while
solid waist-height balustrades preserve an upward visual
privacy gradient even when the house is fully open. Inter-
nal sliding doors allow further control of internal privacy
zoning”.

• Lifecycle Flexibility. “The semi-independent

and well-connected ground floor plan allows for flexibil- Elevation Exterior
ity of future usage for the following possible scenarios (Northerly aspect)
over time: second studio and guest room; home business 1:100
professional office; or a two-room flat for aging relatives,
fourth-generational family, or family friends”.
Leigh Ferguson
El i z a b e t h’s Cabin
n7120176
Perspective 1 (Northern aspect)

Site plan Smart Stream

N

Datum Drive
Leigh Ferguson
El i z a b e t h’s Cabin
n7120176
SECTION 3
SECTION 2

SECTION
1

Ground Floor Plan 1:100

N
Perspective 1

Refer to ‘A house
is a delightful
experience’
diagrams
2nd/3rd Floor Plan 1:100
Leigh Ferguson
El i z a b e t h’s Cabin
n7120176
Scale 1:100 Wall feature reduces bright-
ness/harshness of early morning
1st Floor Plan Easterly sun in the bedroom.
1m 5m

Solid waist-height balustrades on

the easterly wall of the second and
third levels, preserve an upward
visual privacy gradient.

Scale 1:100
Roof Plan
1m 5m
Leigh Ferguson
El i z a b e t h’s Cabin
n7120176

SECTION 1

Scale 1:100

1m 5m

SECTION 2

Scale 1:100

1m 5m

SECTION 3

Scale 1:100

1m 5m
Leigh Ferguson
El i z a b e t h’s Cabin
n7120176
ELEVATIONS

Southern aspect

Eastern Aspect

Western Aspect
Leigh Ferguson
n7120176
DIAGRAMS
Cabin Design Exemplar House

A house is a.....

Container of Human
Activities
Leigh Ferguson
n7120176
DIAGRAMS
Cabin Design Exemplar House

A house is an.....

Environmental
Filter
Leigh Ferguson
n7120176 DIA GRAMS
Cabin Design Exemplar House

(See 2nd/3rd floor Cabin plan)

A house is a.....

Delightful
Experience
Leigh Ferguson
n7120176

Site Analysis

Chosen
site

N
St Lucia House
Elizabeth Watson
Brown

Elizabeth’s Cabin
Leigh Ferguson

Chicken Point Cabin

Tom Kundig

The Great (Bamboo)

Wall House
Kengo Kumar
Leigh Ferguson
El i z a b e t h’s Cabin
n7120176

A house is an environmental filter….

Materials: The strong concrete façade on the South to West
sides protects the Cabin from that orientation’s strong winter
winds and summer storms.
Context: The Cabin is built around existing vegetation, creat-
ing a central courtyard.
Natural ventilation: These trees pre-cool the summer breeze
that enters the cabin. Cross ventilation is facilitated through
high southern windows. A place for working.....

A house is a container of human activities….

Structural facades: solid, waist-height balustrades preserve an A place for reflecting...
upward visual privacy for the top split-levels from the lower
public living areas.
Open plan: The open plan of the Cabin, with the central court-
yard, allows for fluid movement between spaces.
Privacy zoning: Sliding glass panels can be pulled back to A place for abluting...
let all breezes flow through, or can be closed to form a glass
façade protecting from the harsh climate.
A place for sleeping...
A House is a delightful experience….
Panoramic Views: The positioning of the Cabin in the site
context allows the occupants to feel completely encompassed
by nature (forest and stream) – no other houses are visible in
the Cabin’s focal northern aspect.
Dappled light: As a result of the sun orientation and position- A place for living...
ing of the pool and trees, dappled light is reflected joyously on
the Cabin’s plain interior walls.
Hidden niches: There are a number of small, hidden niches A place for
A place for cooking...
throughout the cabin, one being in the top-most floor at the dining...
southern end of the cabin. This small alcove directly over-
looks the central courtyard and beyond, which gives a har-
monic and tranquil atmosphere for the occupant to enjoy.