RESEARCH PART

RESEARCH PART A
A
DISCLAIMER
Some variables of the houses are ‘controlled’ to emphasize the analysed traits of
the houses. All the buildings shown are modern/contemporary multi-level class 1A
detached houses with a flat roof and dark exterior colours. In the town where the
houses were photographed, it is commonplace to display a board or poster
showcasing the architect or builder. While these houses did not have their boards
visible, the analysis was written under the assumption that none of the houses in
this presentation have been constructed by a volume builder. So it’s completely
up to you which you feel is the ‘good’ or the ‘bad’
HOUSE ONE - CARNARVON
1. Aesthetic: Contemporary monochrome
Materials used: Concrete, steel, and cladding
Typology: A ground floor basketball court with a cantilevered main
block, and a secondary block behind it, opening onto a rooftop terrace,
maximizing the ocean views.
2. Functionalism: This house was designed with its view at the
forefront, and everything has been positioned in accordance
with that. despite its black and grey exterior, there is plenty
of greenery surrounding the outdoor spaces, such as rooftop
terraces and balconies
3. Anthropometrics & Human behaviour: Ceilings are higher and the
visible rooms are more spacious than a standard house, thus
ensuring the modernist aesthetics don’t make the house feel confined
4. Orientation: North/northeast - ideal for the
coastal climate surrounding the property
5. Fenestration: Floor length tinted windows to not only make the
most of the ocean views and ensure the client still has privacy
6. Neighbourhood character/contribution: This structure is somewhat
cohesive with its surrounds in terms of shape and size, but this
building is significantly darker and more cool-toned than neighbouring
buildings. some may argue this lack of conformity damages the street
aesthetic, others may see this building as a refreshing alternative to
some of the older, less eco-friendly buildings lining the streets
HOUSE ONE
Balance
Contrast
Form, Unity & Value

Do these E & P’s work together

successfully or not?

Yes, because although some might

consider elements such as the black
block facade and the concrete wall to be
too uninviting, this is balanced by the
vast greenery surrounding the area
HOUSE TWO - STRATHMORE
1. Aesthetic: Coastal Contemporary
Materials used: Timber and corrugated steel
Typology: Standard two-storey house with large front and backyard.
Additional features include protruding balcony/deck and
two car garage
2. Functionalism: Eaves have been designed to provide shade during summer
months, and have used mainly natural, lightweight materials for
construction
3. Anthropometrics & Human behaviour: The amount of windows, large balcony
space, and yard size encourages the homeowner to embrace the outdoor
coastal lifestyle
4. Orientation: East/Northeast - ideal for the coastal climate
surrounding the property
5. Fenestration: While the number of windows in the house certainly take
advantage of the ocean views, perhaps some could have been made floor
length to balance out the use of timber and better utilize the sunlight
6. Neighbourhood character/contribution: This house definitely conforms to
the aesthetic of the street it resides on, though the lack of
maintenance done on the exterior makes it appear more run down that it
actually is
HOUSE TWO
Texture
Line & Direction
Unity with Shape

Do these E & P’s work together

successfully or not?

They might have if the original

colour of the timber had been
maintained, and perhaps the timber
on the ground floor had been
painted a colour more cohesive
with the first floor
HOUSE THREE - OCEAN BLVD
1. Aesthetic: Contemporary
Materials used: Concrete, steel, cladding, brick, timber and sandstone
Typology: Three storey building with more balconies than I can count
2. Functionalism: While this house clearly makes use of the ocean views,
and takes the environment into account by its creative ‘framed eaves’
looking at the floor plan of the house does make you wonder if there is
such a thing as a house that is ‘too big’
3. Anthropometrics & Human behaviour: Due to the sheer size of the house
and its obscure room shapes that take advantage of the ocean views, it
does make the house difficult to navigate to some extent, given there
is an inconsistency with the labelling of spaces.
4. Orientation: East facing - likely for sunrise views
5. Fenestration: Floor length windows on east and west sides of the house
to maximize sunlight, and narrower windows spanning across the other
two sides
6. Neighbourhood character/contribution: Statement house, if that’s even
possible. This house uses so many different materials it can’t really
be cohesive with any style, let alone the many 80s/90s brick houses
that remain from the original development on the street.
HOUSE THREE
Texture & Material
Contrast
Asymmetry
Scale

Do these E & P’s work together

successfully or not?

No, because as much as this

might be a nice large house to
live in, and be quite
environmentally friendly for
its size, a lot of the exterior
(and interior) is disjointed
HOUSE FOUR - DEAL AVE
1. Aesthetic: Contemporary monochrome
Materials used: Cladding and steel
Typology: Two storey block house with wraparound balcony, vine pillars
and back terrace
2. Functionalism: the pillars work as a creative solution to provide shade
while controlling how much of the view is obsctructed. This house has
taken a few environmental factors in mind, but has largely prioritised
the saleability of its views and aesthetics
3. Anthropometrics & Human behaviour: While it’s unclear what the interior
layout of this house is, the lack of shade in the outdoor spaces
doesn’t exactly encourage the user to stay outside for very long, as UV
ratings can get dangerously high in this area
4. Orientation: South - likely for keeping the house cool to compensate
for lack of eaves and dark exterior
5. Fenestration: Floor length tinted windows and a glass balcony that
ensure uninterrupted ocean views
6. Neighbourhood character/contribution: This building certainly stands
out from the row of homes on this street, but there is no rigid
conformity along this street anyway
HOUSE FOUR
Value
Form
Symmetry
Emphasis

Do these E & P’s work together

successfully or not?

Yes, this looks like a well

designed and high-value house
for the most part, although it
may not be the most suited to
its neighbourhood.