Assignment 1: 'Primitive' Design

This exercise is intended to drive an appreciation of  several aspects of design thinking and representation.

You are to design, model and document a private residence, using geometric primitives to define the external form (the 'envelope').

Primitives are the most basic geometric forms that most 3D programs use for the construction of more complex objects. They include : Cube (or Box), Sphere, Pyramid, Torus, Cone, Cylinder

In this case we are using primitives not as building blocks to more complex shapes per se, but as the defining forms for our building. Therefore, you must select three shapes (no repeats!) from those shown above and combine / overlap them to form a building that has a floor plan of approximately 250m2 (this is presumed to be across more than one floor), and a maximum volume of 900m3. While the primitives should overlap in some way to provide for continuous internal space, the original primitive shapes must be clearly recognisable / definable in the final form. Also, no individual primitive can represent more than 60% of the total form, and no primitive can represent less than 20% of the total. Finally, only one of your primitives may have a surface parallel to the ground plane (although internally floors and ceiling presumably are parallel to the ground...)! You may add minor external forms such as stairs, ramps, railings beyond the envelope, and you may cut holes in the primitives for windows, balconies, and the like.

For the purpose of this exercise, do not be concerned over the structural question of how your building might be supported. If the entire structure was resting on just one corner of a tilted cube, that is ok!

The following is the spatial brief for the house:

• 3 bedrooms (master bed with ensuite bathroom)
• master bedroom should be minimum 20m2
• childrens bedrooms should be minimum 3m in any dimension
• Study / guest room
• Kitchen
• Living Room
• Separate dining room
• Childrens bathroom
• Guest toilet
• Laundry
• parking for 2 cars
• can be garage or open air

Deliverables:

1. A computer model of the building, using SketchUp
1. 3x representative 3D views
2. animation (10-20 seconds) around the building (using sketchup bookmarked views) to show the building from all angles
2. 1x cross section
3. plans of each level (dimensioned)
4. elevations
5. schedule of spaces (including areas)
6. calculations of building areas and volumes
7. weekly progress blog posts (this forms part of your course participation marks)

 This assignment is due at the end of Week 6. Submission is via PDF file with embedded views and animation, as well as the SketchUp model itself. There will be tutor-led critiques in the studio time in week 6, and you will then have a couple of days to respond to any commentary / suggestions before submission by midnight on Sunday, September 8th (NOT Saturday the 7th as noted in the course outline!).