How colour affects Identilty of a room

"Psychologists, at the University of British Columbia, were interested in looking at how the color of interior walls influence the imagination. They recruited six hundred subjects..., and had them perform a variety of basic cognitive tests displayed against red, blue or neutral colored backgrounds. " http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2011/04/the-psychology-of-architecture/

 RED ROOM

 

The research found that the colour red made the subjects better at doing task that required "accuracy and attention to detail" the researches claimed that this happened because of our natural association of danger to the colour red 

BLUE ROOM

The researches also found that the subjects in the blue room preformed worse in the short term memory tasks, but were much greater in the creative tasks. The occupants of the blue room "generated twice as many “creative outputs” as subjects in the red condition."

There has been lots of research on how colour affects the mood of a person, and a website that shows how the various colours apparently affect the mood of the user of the room. this guide also gives advice on which colours would go in which room. Colour Psychology

I wondered if there were any technologies that would allow the user of the house to change the colours of the walls depending on the need instead of having set colours for specific functions.

This wall was designed by designer Amirkhan Abdurakhmanov (known as Amirko). Amirko has created a DIY wall that allows the user to manual create different colours which can change a space dramatically.

The wall is one big wall of turning triangles which each feature a different pattern or design on each of the faces, the future of this design could mean different textures or materials, which could change the feeling within a room.

Another system that allows the colour of a wall to change is The Barrisol Lumière Color wall. This wall system uses fixings that attach the product to an existing wall that would allow the wall clour to be changed which also changes the feeling of a room as shown below. 

 

Another option to change the colour of a room could be to use lighting or use of Polycarbonate materials, either colored polycarbonate or with clear polycarbonate in conjunction with colored LED Lighting.

Rodeca colored panels

use of materials to create space

Materials

My look into the different materials began while looking at the work of Tadao Ando, while looking through a book of his work, I realised that most of his designs gave me a sense of calm while looking at them.

 

This image of a living room in  the kashino house by tadao Ando seems a very calm and relaxing space this is due to a number of factors, such as the subtle use of light the use of shadow and the materials, having never really thought of conrete as calming i was very intriqued about the use here, many of tadao andos buildings use conrete and all create a serene atmosphere to the buildinigs,

The use of concrete in this image creates calm by, being simplistic, on a large scale double height space, the colour does not distract the eye, the texture is smooth as well which also creates calm.

This image made me want to investigate what affect other materials had on the people. 

There have been studies on the psychological effects of architecture, although there have been a few studies on this there still a long way to go in this research, one study I did find was one which tried to determine whether the  different spaces affected the way we think.

A study  by Sibel Dazkir and Marilyn Read, which has compared the effects of curvilinear (rounded) and rectilinear (straight-edged) furniture on people's emotions. http://eab.sagepub.com/content/early/2011/03/12/0013916511402063

The study

 

The researches used 4 computer generated images of living rooms and asked 100 students to rate the rooms based on how they made them feel and how inviting the rooms were, overall the rooms with the curved furniture were rated significantly more inviting and pleasurable to the students. The researches also used open-ended questions in their investigation to determine why each room was picked, the answers from the questions

"the students made comments like 'I like the rounded shapes. They make the furniture look comfortable and inviting.' Another said: 'The rounded furniture seems to give off that calming feel."

This could also explain why I found the previous image calming.  

In contrast to concrete timber is a lot warmer and inviting, timber can also be less calming on a space as there are more colours patterns. The material also means that beams and columns cut through the room, which draws the eye. timbre is often brighter and more reflective than concrete. 

Timbre always feels more cosy and comfortable to me which is also nice in  within a space and can make people feel very comfortable.

Timbre interiors often feel more rustic or  hand-made, which can also make them seem more inviting.

Colour

Levels

Mullet house: Identifying space using levels

 The house has been divided excellently into different zones which serve different function,

1: the existing building, houses Bed rooms and bathrooms which are private areas,
2: upper level of extension houses living room and dinning
3: lower level extension houses a children's playroom, wine cellar, a laundry room and a bathroom.
 4: below living room is the parking space 
5: a terraced garden space


According to the architects, a passer-by has described the house as "formal up front with the party out the back".

The Mullet house uses levels to identify different areas within the extension. From the picture above you can see several levels in the house.

t

The kitchen space is separated from the dinning and living room via a few stairs, having the kitchen lower means that while stood up working in the kitchen you will be at a similar eye level to anyone in the dinning and living room, which makes communication through the house work better, there are circular windows which link the kitchen to the floor beneath which houses the play room , meaning that while in the kitchen the parents can visually communicate with the children below and keep an eye on them. This use of levels means that while in in the kitchen space the person cooking can communicate on three levels.

This image shows the stairs leading down to the lower level which houses: a children's playroom, wine cellar, a laundry room and a bathroom. Which are all rooms which require less light and would not normally be used by guest, by using levels these can be kept separate.

 

 Play room below kitchen meaning that both child and parent can have visual contact and feel safe, 

out side the use of levels continues, 

The decking outside is kept at the same level as the interior this makes the outside space feel as though it is connected and part of the same space, again the circular sky lights are used to connect the people outside to the children in the play room, the sky lights also provide natural light to the play room.

From the looking at the use of levels and connections in this house I have tried to implement the design principles into my own design. If I use different levels to distinguish between certain space i will also try to keep the connections either visual, or hearing between the spaces. so that the house can all be connected. Connections are a key aspect I will try to establish in my design, to connect the occupants with each other as well as the house and the nature outside of the house.

Materials

Framing views

Framing views can make the most of the site and allow the correct amount of light into the site, the site does not have many great views so the use of large expanses of glass will not be beneficial as each of the views will be very similar a view of trees. so in order to make use of the limited views I think it would be better to frame the views or just glimpse the views, the views can also be used to maximise the light brought into the house, if by finding a view you can combine that view with a functional purpose of giving light to space that needs light the view will maximised.

http://www.dezeen.com/2013/11/01/casa-la-can%CC%83ada-by-ricardo-torrejon/

This house was designed by Chilean architect Ricardo Torrejón, from the picture you can see that the cubic form of the building is punctuated by "carvings instead of windows and openings."  these "carvings" create spaces on their own as well as letting in light and creating ventilation, The carvings also mean that the garden can be viewed throughout the house, which in turn means that light goes right through the house. The "carvings" also create unique spaces inside the house as some fit one person only, while others can fit more. 

Garden can be viewed right through the property. Keeping the resident in touch with nature and outside at all times, which is the designers intention. With my brief it would be necessary to at times limit the views to the outside to create an enclosed and insulated atmosphere.

Although I like the rear of the property I do not think it would work for my site as the site is dark at the rear so this must glass would be wasted, the views to the rear are not fantastic either so the large use of glass would be unnecessary. however I do like the thick black frames on some of the windows and doors which are used to frame particular views in the garden.

Another building that punctures the form with framed views is  Blairgowrie House by Wolveridge Architects http://www.archdaily.com/416856/blairgowrie-house-wolveridge-architects/

Photographs by © Ben Hosking

This building punctures the building façade  with block windows which appear to be in a random order on the façade , however inside the windows form part of the furniture and sets specific views from each of the rooms. It also gives each room an identity for each of the children that occupy them allowing them to create their own space.

A different arrangement in each room makes each room unique the windows again have multiply uses, allowing light to enter, creating views from the room and integrating with furniture and carpentry " creating a playful sense within each bedroom." 

The projects also punctures the ceiling with light that brings light into the property in the required areas, this roof light brings light into the corridor as well as creating a view while on the stairs it also helps to naturally light the room next to it.

I like the use of vertical timber to partially obscure the the light and create a separate space while also allowing the light from the roof to filter into the room. this also frames the view the occupants of the room have.

 In my design I have also included courtyards to help bring in light as well as creating spaces to enhance other spaces. This project also uses courtyards for similar reasons,

"To separate the bedrooms from the new living area a north facing courtyard was introduced which also provides a terrific outlook towards the surrounding Moonah forest."

The architects have used to courtyard to frame a specific view into the adjacent forrest, the view captures the top of one tree, and frames this really well, on our site i think it would also be a nice feature to try and capture one view in the courtyard.

levels

Light

Getting light into our site will be a key issue in making the site work I have looked how other people have been able to bring light into their buildings effectively.

Leimondo Nursery School by Archivision Hirotani Studio.
http://www.dezeen.com/2011/08/10/leimondo-nursery-school-by-archivision-hirotani-studio/

The first image is from a primary school in japan the light is brought in through large chimneys the large chimneys have windows at different angles and positions which create different effects within the rooms depending on the need for light in that space.

Chimneys with windows at different directions.

The effect in side of having light come through small scale holes really creates interesting light patterns, which for the purpose of a primary school gives interest and encourage response from its users (the children) The light will change over the day.

Child chasing light,

"The children may be able to feel the changes of these “lights”, even chase them and play with them, and to enjoy this gift of “light” in their daily activities." Posted on Wednesday, August 10th, 2011 at 12:41 am by Amy Frearson. http://www.dezeen.com/2011/08/10/leimondo-nursery-school-by-archivision-hirotani-studio/

This inteactions with the user makes the chimneys part of the buildings function rather than just aesthetic appearance and any light features I create should aim to have a function as well as aesthetic appeal and should not be there simply because "it looks pretty"


These high chimneys reminded me our trip to Wakefield sculpture park, while at the sculpture park we viewed the James Turrell piece : Deer Shelter Skyspace

This space also featured a opening in the roof which allowed light into the space, but was done in a very different way, when inside the space the seating draws your eyes upwards as it is at an angle, your eye is drawn to opening which frames the sky above you. in this use the light floods the room and becomes the focal point.

I think I would like to include similar views within my project, it gives a lot of light but keeps the occupant of the room secluded and less distracted, this view would be a good addition to the music studio or studio as it will allow focus.

http://www.dezeen.com/2013/09/24/light-walls-house-by-ma-style-architects/

Another project that deals with lack of light really well is light walls  from Japanese studio mA-style Architects, This small house is in a shaded area between two house so the use or windows was limited so in order to bring light into the space the architects used perimeter sky lights to diffuse the light around the space.

This diagram shows how the house is built up the perimeter sky lights allow a large amount of sun light into the space and the use of the roof beams and lamented floors allows light to disperse throughout the building with really interesting effects, the interior has been designed with the residents in mind, and the layout is open plan with the private spaces in boxes.

I really like the patterns of light which are created by the beams in the roof hitting the internal boxes.

Framing Views

Tree house

TREEHOUSES

 

 

While considering our site for the Winchester house project I had the idea of trying to incorporated a tree house into my design, this first came about while working on the model for the site, As a group we found a tree survey that had been carried out on the site which listed the heights and types of tree on the site, Having made a scale model of the site we also added the trees on site by creating a scale replica to place on the model.

 

This way of research and application really helped to understand the site better, it gave the site a context as well as using the data from the survey we also looked at site photos to get a different understanding, from placing the site model we were able to determine the sun path on site, this lighting created nice patterns with the scale trees but looking at the photos made the reality different as the site is very dark.

 Site photo by client

Due to the large number of trees on the site I thought of  wanting to incorporate a tree houses into the design. I think that i thought this because I believe design should be fun and also I see a tree house as making the most of the site and surroundings. The site itself suggest that the owners would want to be part of nature, and also appreciate it. A tree house can incorporate all these things.

Tree houses have been popping up on televisions a lot recently as well, 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFvP5IDjl1Y HSBC treehouse advert. 

This advert the tree house is creates a sense of unique space for the little girl who helped to design the treehouse and makes the space unique and personal to the child the advert also shows a second younger child designing her own tree house. If I decided to add a tree house to my site I would like to try and make it personal to the family so that it includes the things they need, the personal touch of a tree house makes it seem more homely. The fact that the father in the advert builds the tree house also makes it more personal so I think I will try to include the family in the construction of the tree house which will make the space more personal and give an instant memory or attachment to the property. 

 

 George clark's amazing spaces has also featured tree house designs as he tries to build his own tree house. One of the tree house designs that stuck with me was the Tree hotel by Tham & Videgard Artkitekter

 

 http://www.dezeen.com/2011/01/12/tree-hotel-by-tham-videgard-arkitekter/

The design is very simply but I like that it doesn't disrupt the views or the landscape, the main selling point of  the design for me is that it is hidden and unobtrusive. 

Other tree house designs I have liked for different reasons have been a tree house by Canadian Designer  Nicko Björn Elliott

 

http://www.dezeen.com/2010/01/13/treehouse-by-nicko-bjorn-elliott/ 

 

I like this design for its simplicity and homely feel, the design is also child centric and this is also a key aspect of this design. the materials and construction are both simplistic which will be aspects I will try and incorporate into my design. although the design is ground breaking or perfect the aesthetic is homely and comfortable.

http://www.inhabitat.com/wp-content/uploads/baum1.jpg

 

The Design team of Baumraum (http://www.baumraum.de/) which consists of "an architect , a landscape architect, an arbologist, and a craftsman design modern, natural and solidly constructed treehouses" The Team personal creates each of the tree houses, by assessing the tree the environment and the clients needs,  again the tree house is a unique design and personal to the client. If i do include a tree house it will have to be personal to the clients and also have their involvement for it to be an important feature.

 

 

http://inhabitat.com/baumraums-world-of-living-tree-house-sits-on-spiders-legs/baumraum-world-of-living-treehouse-7/

Final Boards

Final Presentation Boards

ArchiGram

 ArchiGram


After my presentation of my kiosk design, I was recommended to research Archigram,

The group where, "an avant-garde architectural group formed in the 1960s - based at the Architectural Association, London - that was futurist, anti-heroic and pro-consumerist" wiki http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archigram

Members of Archigram movment

The work does reminded me of the design I was trying to convey and had I found their work while doing my research I believe it would have influence my presentation and design. I really like anarchic and playful nature of their designs and presentation, which does fit match my style in life as well as architecturally.

Although I believe it would have helped me with the design, I am  glad I have discovered it afterwards as I think it could have held to much influence on my work, having discovered their ideas afterwards I can evaluate the way I did the project and consider how I would change it and move it forward. The presentation of the drawings in an unrealistic cartoony styled really helps convey the fun elements as well as pop up nature of the work. Many of their design incorporate the idea of pop up or transportable architecture.

 I really like the way the models for the designs where created I found it very hard to create the organic, shapes of my design. the way they created there models could have been used in my design

Their work does have a similar style to what I was trying to create and will defiantly be using similar styles again. The main selling point of their style for me is FUN, I believe that architecture can be fun interesting and unique and should avoid falling into the realm of being something "pretty" to look at. Another design principle that the group appear to adhere to is that design is for the USER not the ARCHITECT