The Net of the Crescent Moon

Competition entry for new city center site in Semiahmoo (which can be translated as 'Crescent Moon'), just outside Vancouver.

The opening in the building follows the path of the setting sun so that we get as much of it as possible. I always enjoy a challenge...fitting a penthouse style apartment plan in this organic plan shape was great fun.

The curved plan surrounds a water feature which becomes a public skating rink in Winter.

Sir Torrens the Aussie saves you from the Knight.

Real Estate Title in Western Canada introduced in 1860 through an Aussie.

Robert Richard Torrens, from solid Irish stock, was a South Australian customs officer who believed that the ownership registration of ships could be applied to the ownership interests in land. So the Torrens System 'guaranteeing' title (known as indefeasibility) was born.  He earned a knighthood for that stroke of genius.

Sir Torren's work means that if you bought your property for a fair price in good faith you can relax in the knowledge that you own the title to the land, even if something dodgy happened in the past.

It would be terrible to think that the Knight returning home from the crusade (the actual owner) could kick you out because someone tricked you.

Thankfully, our weary and somewhat angry Knight should be looked after by the 'Assurance Fund', and you can sleep at night.

Simple Space Saving Timber Stair

Making good use of the space under the stair

The small footprint of this simple stair provides useful storage (on the left) as well as providing a sense of separation or privacy to the downstairs bathroom behind.

The closed stringer in timber and the contrasting stainless steel handrail give a clean architectural look, while the stretched sailcloth light fitting and the tensioned rigging balustrading add to the nautical reference of this seaside home. In Canada, the rigging wound be replaced with glass for compliance.

The timbers used were: Stairs (and floor) in Tasmanian Oak, an Australian hardwood; the sliding door to right was Myrtle (an excellent furniture timber) and contrasting Jarrah (deep red timber colour) was used for the internal doors, skirtings, sills and architarves. 

The colour palette provided by the timbers and steel allowed the walls to be a neutral white.

 

It Really is All About Light

It really is all about light. Ask yourself, where is the sun...can I surprise someone by bringing light in where it never was? In this example, light was brought from the sunny northern sky (southern hemisphere project) to the south side entrance hall. This made the inside brighter than the shaded porch entrance outside - making the building glow.

 

Church Building Design - Excellence and Elegance

Christians agree that a church building is not God's 'temple on earth' as in the times before Christ. It is understood that God is worshiped whenever and wherever the human heart turns to Him. 

However, a church building is a uniquely important space where life memories are made. 

A church building is a venue where...

an extended family celebrate God together & move towards the Cross of Jesus

where an outsider is welcomed and invited to belong

where the love between a man and a woman is deeply honoured

where new life is protected and delighted in

where life plans are discovered and commitments made

where closure (after a life is completed) begins

At its best, a new church building is more than a 'tool for mission' like an auditorium or converted gymnasium.

It is a place of  life's most significant moments. Those life moments are often photographed and always remembered. Think of the procession of a bride and her father.

Annandale Uniting Church heritage facade 

and proposed additions at rear

History is made in the sports arena, at the university graduation hall, even at Starbucks, but it is uniformly made at church. This insists that a church building be a work of Architecture expressing values, hope and daily faith.

A work of Architecture reflects its place in time, so a new church building will use the materials, methods and technology commonly available at the time of construction, giving it a contemporary temperament.

As both an informal meeting place with many functions and a venue of contemplation, formality and excellence, the building outcome could legitimately be called quiet contemporary elegance.

Design Rules

Set up the tight rules of the concept then find solutions within the agreed limited palette.

Nothing is permitted to disrupt the steel ceiling so the air conditioning and the lighting needed to be handled creatively. Practical aspects are also included: Having wall uplights make the changing of bulbs simple and the lower level a/c outlets in the joinery are more efficient (because hot air rises) 

First from the sketchbook

Ponte Vecchio and Forte Belvedere

Florence, Italy...the place where so many Architects, Artists and Master Builders get inspired.

Duomo

The profile against the sky is one of the first ways that design apprehends us.