TUTORIAL 1: Copacabana Team 7

The first tutorial for our team went quite well. We recieved plenty of feedback from out tutor, and our clients also provided some really great advice and shared their experience. Here are the main points that were made in discussion.

• Must keep in mind the site dimensions (36m by 12m) when designing.
• Select materials that work with the desert landscape eg. corregated iron for a rustic look.
• Inspiration gathered from the environment and applied to the design worked well eg. Dang Dang's rock idea.
• Sails or shades could be used in the design, to promote the idea of utilising a roof to shade the interior roof, thereby reducing heat build-up.
• Could build into the ground eg. If the rock concept stemmed from underground a creature-like effect could be created, which would further relate to the concept.
• The essence of inspirational sources could be utilised to abstract the design eg. Loz's ship idea.
• The ship could be a good example of minimum spaces utilised to its maximum potential.
• Sliding windows could be a feature of the design, and could move to provide shade depending on the sun movement throughout the day eg. Loz's second idea.
• Utilise interior spaces innovatively, and view these area as an extension of the Minima project.
• An outer shell could be used to cover the building to reduce heat accumulation eg. my second design. The crocodile building 'ulara' could be a source of inspiration for this idea.
• Utilise the eaves of the building as a main feature to govern the emmision of light eg. my second idea
• Ensure that the building responds to the climate, and is 'funky' if it is justifiably.
• Utilise on-site resources eg.quartz? rocks?
• Incorporate a light tunnel to diffuse light throughout the centre of the house and underground areas.

MAIN DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

After discussing the events of this tutorial, Lauren, Dang Dang and I came up with these features that we agreed to incorporate in our designs for the following week:

• Underground building.
• The use of a light tunnel.
• A universal roof structure symbolic of a rock or the natural surrounds.
• Minimal and innovative interior space that caters for four people and includes sleeping areas, a kitchen space, living space and one toilet/bathroom.
• Thick walls to keep out the heat, work with the roof structure and work as a retaining wall.
• Incorporation of solar panels and water tanks.