[LDD Contest] The Z shape - modular housing concept

[harton]

Hello guys!

As some of you may know, I am a fellow architecture fan and I do achieve architectural study. So it is somehow following this idea that I made my dream house. I'm just warning you it is going to be lets say not a conventionnal way to present a project. I may precise a Lego project. Architects sometimes use posters to show their realization and for this one I really want you to feel and understand my reflexion. It is somehow part of the realism of the project. There are many thing I don't like in our way we build and think houses. I do believe there is many waste of space. Is that roof section really useful for you? Do you want everyone to see inside your house from the street? Also, one teacher I had make me realize that the first thing you usually see when looking at a house is a big white garage door... Seriously... I won't comment.

Residential architecture have always been a chaotic setup, because everybody makes what they want and, of course, because there is some "gaps" in the urbanism rules.

Many similar projects have been already realize and I am aware that this situation is more notable here in North America than in Europe. The way us, american, deal with the territory is really different than anywhere else. Density is the key!

Okay back to Lego

So first you will look at three posters that explains and show the projects and finally you will see more close up of my dream houses. Please enjoy.

Comments and suggestions / opinions are always welcome!

Poster #1

Poster #2

Render

Thank you everyone!

Harton

[eurotrash]

That's an interesting design and it's certainly presented in a very different style from the other entries.

I like the separation of public/private space, but perhaps some interior images would help get that point across and I'm intrigued enough by the glimpse of a life green roof that I definitely want to see more of that!

Of all the entries I've seen so far this is the one I think I could see myself living in. Good luck in the competition!

[mrpoindexter]

Excellent concept and presentation in Lego.

There seems to be a language barrier as I suspect that English is not your first language and that is causing the wording to be a bit off. What is most stunning to me is the contrast between your house and the ones shown on your poster so the first one is not ideal. The last one really shows the impressive view from all sides - something that all those other houses lack. They have a lot of detail in the front and blah in the back. With the language issue, I think you are best off with the pictures doing most of the talking and that makes the last poster best, in my opinion.

[Kristel]

Great design, design and presentation. Love it!@

My favourite detail is the padding on the walls and how this is carried through to the letterbox.

[Legoaholic]

As you appear to be studying architecture, can you say what makes the Z design more sustainable than the previous models. I do like the "green" roofs and i think the modular designs of them would make for easier and cheaper construction in the real world, not lego. But does the design reduce energy consumption through its life. Excellent model and design, but i'm interested in the sustainability of it as i have just completed a short course looking at sustainability issues.

[Missing Brick]

Harton, I can answer some of your questions about the regular house designs you scoff at:

1) Why do regular houses have slopped rooves? Because flat rooves pool water and always leak. ALWAYS. Whereas water runs off slopped rooves meaning they can last for decades without need for expensive maintenance.

2) Why do houses have big windows, bay windows, loft windows etc? Because people like to look out and let light in.

3) Why doesn't everyone have a bungalow? Because in some places land is very expensive so better to build up than out.

4) Why do houses have superfluous decoration: pillars, wall coverings, circular elements? Because man has always sought to make beautiful that which is necessary.

Apart from that - nice LDD design. I used to work in an office block that looked similar.

Edited April 15, 2014 by Missing Brick

[mrpoindexter]

The roof can still have gentle slopes to capture rain water and also have flat surfaces for plants over them. Rain does not require a steep slope to run off. The attic space provides insulation from the outside temperature and from the roof. The plants can also do that.

As for beauty, I think this house qualifies.

[stevkir]

It's like cargo container construction. I have seen some really nice real life buildings made out of cargo containers. There is a Starbucks a couple miles from where I live that is made out of 2 of them.

[harton]

It think some precisions and answers can be given!

That's an interesting design and it's certainly presented in a very different style from the other entries.

I like the separation of public/private space, but perhaps some interior images would help get that point across and I'm intrigued enough by the glimpse of a life green roof that I definitely want to see more of that!

Thanks for the appreciation. As told in the original post I am trying to present this as a plausible and somehow realistic project. Of course, this is in Lego but with my technical formation in architecture I am always thinking of how to resolve jonctions problems or many other details.

I really wanted to make interior view and some more efficient outdoor overview but I did not have the time. You know studying and exams...

I'm really glad you like green roof. I also do expect to see more of these or at least found a way to use them more often than only be a roof with a thin membrane. There is said that around 75% of actual flat roof can support (majoritary made of wood and / or steel frame) an extensive culture (grass and tundra things for example) but not intensive one.

There seems to be a language barrier as I suspect that English is not your first language and that is causing the wording to be a bit off. [...] I think you are best off with the pictures doing most of the talking and that makes the last poster best, in my opinion.

The attic space provides insulation from the outside temperature and from the roof. The plants can also do that.

Thank you for your comment! I am aware that my English is not good as I want it to be, but its by pratcicing that we can make progress and somehow EB can help me improve my skills. I'm glad you like the third poster, because as I said it is a bit an unsual way to present Lego project, but I hope that it help you to understand the researd and reflexion behind the concept. I believe it is interesting to know these stuff, what influence the decisions and not only the finish product.

I do agree that space in the attic provide "some" insulation and help to the air circulation BUT there is a difference between space and SPACE. What is a 10 or 12 foot tall space use for? You can easily reduce this to a conventionnal flat roof which as a space usually between 6 inches to 1 foot. It makes the job for regular insolation systems. But when your'e doing some modular building I do believe it is possible (cause there is already existing examples) to made it. In my head the base of the house is only a structural box. On this you only add your panels that are already insulated with polyurethane.

Great design, design and presentation. Love it!@

My favourite detail is the padding on the walls and how this is carried through to the letterbox.

As always Kristel it is good to hear comments from you. Thank you!

As you appear to be studying architecture, can you say what makes the Z design more sustainable than the previous models. I do like the "green" roofs and i think the modular designs of them would make for easier and cheaper construction in the real world, not lego. But does the design reduce energy consumption through its life. Excellent model and design, but i'm interested in the sustainability of it as i have just completed a short course looking at sustainability issues.

I am really happy that someone point this out: is the Z design more sustainable than previous model? To this question I will said first, have you ever heard of Louis Sullivan's famous quote: "forms follows function"? I will say it is at the base of my reflexion. Instead of having some "cubic" houses with pieces in every corner and circulation going throught this in some not so linear way we do obtain a certain waste of space. By doing a more linear or open circulation you limit the waste and instead increase your pieces area. Pieces division is important as how you circulate in you house, both should be think clever and enjoyable. And somehow I do belive the Z shape is good for this but keep in mind that the Z is not just a physical thing (as my house) but how you manage to go the most efficient way from point A to point B.

I do believe that a similar model can be a bit cheaper but more easy to build. I do believe a modular house like this can be sustainable. I won't enter too much in details but some friends ans I already made some research about how a modular can be sustainable and efficient, I'll just going to say that gray water recuparation system, passive solar system, geothermal system and clever ventilation thinking can make this hous sustainable.

Harton, I can answer some of your questions about the regular house designs you scoff at:

1) Why do regular houses have slopped rooves? Because flat rooves pool water and always leak. ALWAYS. Whereas water runs off slopped rooves meaning they can last for decades without need for expensive maintenance.

2) Why do houses have big windows, bay windows, loft windows etc? Because people like to look out and let light in.

3) Why doesn't everyone have a bungalow? Because in some places land is very expensive so better to build up than out.

4) Why do houses have superfluous decoration: pillars, wall coverings, circular elements? Because man has always sought to make beautiful that which is necessary.

Apart from that - nice LDD design. I used to work in an office block that looked similar.

I really enjoy reading your comments. Thank you. Now I'm gonna reply to your answer.

1. I truly believe it is false that flat roof always leaks. I am aware that pool water can be made in conventionnal flat roof but today, new flat roof are less in danger because they are usually build with a flow-controlled system, IF, the roof is actually divide in pool. For the present project with my barrel of gray water recuperation I have think to use a flat roof yes, but with only one direction for the slope: the barrel. In fact what I do dislike about slope roof is as I said the unuse spaces and the ugly use of the asphalt shingles...

2. I am aware that people want to have natural lights to come in. It is the same reflexion that have Frank Lloys Wright when he was designing houses. What I want to point out here is that we have to think differently. I like the approach that bring lights but keep it private. So that's why in first place I put my window near the corner, because items that are "centered" are not the most beautiful one (think about photography). Residents can see outside but people cannot see completely inside. And that brings my second point that is the use of upper windows or even lower windows (at foot level). But somehow, in our economic situation, I do believe it is important to maximise the amount of natural light entering in regards its orientation with the sun, because at first a window is notting more than a hole in your wall.

3. That is totally true. I don't know where you come from but here in Quebec we are "now trying" to limit urban expension that cause many problems (road congestions for example). Autority and professionnals are actually working to increase the density in TOD's area (Transit Oriented Developement)

4. I also agree on that. But again as Van der Rohe said: Less is more... Which you can reply by Venturi: Less is bore! One thing is that I enjoy modernist architecture (except for Le corbusier who was not architect) such as the Glass House of Pullman or Farnsworth House.

Thanks again. I really appreciate to debate some points with you!

Harton

Edited April 16, 2014 by harton