Contextual Fit

Joshua Ramlakhan

Architectural Design II

Contextual Fit

Analysis & Design of Adding on

In this project, we are asked to create an addition to the famous Smith House designed in 1965 by architect Richard Meier. The addition must show proof that the existing systems and patterns in the house were analyzed and incorporated into the addition to preserve the integrity of the original design.

For this project, we must take into consideration conceptual analogies for adding on and we were also asked to incorporate a meta/idea and narrative to meet the new needs of the owners. This will also create an addition of new systems or patterns that were not found in the original home.

Narrative

The Smith family has recently asked for an addition to their house. The husband is a world class gambler who wished to further his families fortune, but the house is lacked the space for him to do so. The family has requested for a spacious family room where the husband can have his own mini casino and have space to relax and enjoy with his wife. Since there will be a mini casino filled with victory roars and cries of defeat, the wife has requested a master suite connected with her master bath and closets so she can get away from the noise. The Smiths have also requested an exercise room and a space on the roof for outdoor activities.

Hierarchy: Master Bedroom

Meta-Idea: Slot Machine

Sorting of Spaces:

Public:

Family Room

Rooftop

Exercise Room

Private:

Master Bedroom

Master bathroom

Closet

Group:

Family Room

Rooftop

Exercise Room

Loud:

Family Room

Rooftop

Exercise Room

Quiet:

Master Bedroom

Master bathroom

Closet

Individual:

Master Bedroom

Master bathroom

Closet

Contextual Analysis

Existing Floor Plans

Existing Building Systems & Patterns

Conceptual Ideas

Circulation:

H Horizontal

V Vertical

Hierarchy:

Structure:

Joist

Bearing Wall

Column

Enclosures:

Indoor

Outdoor

Conceptual Meta-Idea

Preliminary Design

The following are three of my preliminary designs that were created by mapping out the necessary masses and circulation paths. I chose the third one because it had the shortest circulation and most potential to express my meta idea.