20110815

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"...