Equus

by



Based on my client’s brief, I’ve deigned four concepts tailored to suit his lifestyle. My first concept encompasses Richard’s love for nature. The façade has been designed to incorporate the silhouettes of the surrounding landscape. The main space is elevated above the ground to enhance the surrounding views. The design features an open floor plan, with small walls to divide the space. In the centre of the building’s core is a floating bathroom, supported by a cross beam which is fixed to the walls. There is a fire pole, which provides fast access from the bedroom down to the garage in case of an emergency. 









This design uses a similar form to my first concept, incorporating the key elements the client requested.  The treatment of the façade is far less organic, offering a more linear approach to the surrounding ‘shell’. This building sits on four large columns, raising the building to an appropriate height. These columns are treated with a reflective glass, mirroring the landscape. This provides the manifestation that the building is floating within its natural context. This idea of ‘floating’ is explored further in the design of the bathroom. The layout is similar to my first concept, with no doors dividing the spaces.





 The idea for this concept came from a standard fire escape staircase. The staircase is semi-detached from the main building, which towers up three storeys. The linear shapes on the façade complement the stairs, helping celebrate the journey up or down the stairs.  Vertical circulation is achieved via a series of fireman poles, allowing quick movement to the lower levels. The floor plan is evenly split over the three levels. The top floor is a bedroom and office, which has a wall-to-wall curtain wall. The level below houses the bathroom, fit out with all the basics. The ground floor houses a kitchen, dining and lounge area. The garage space is located directly beneath the building, accessed by the fireman pole or an external staircase.





My last concept came from the idea of climbing a tree. This symbolises a connection between humans, nature and architecture. I have incorporated this into the form a staircase wrapping around the core of the building. This is then further expressed with the silhouette of the tree branches. The entrance point is at the top of the stairs, entering into a bedroom and office space. The middle floor is a bathroom and the ground floor is a multi-purpose space cooking, eating and relaxing. The lower levels are accessed through the use of the fireman poles, eventually leading to the garage.