KOHHAUS DESIGn
BOULDER, COLORADO
STUDIO 4 / ARCHITECTURE / SPRING 2016
Throughout the semester, I focused my personal design on creating moments within voids of the building, as well as focusing on off-the-grid systems. This project really allowed me to integrate materials, ground connection, systems, and landscaping to fully immerse users within the space and the environment.
​
A wildfire happened during the 1990's which burnt down a number of significant structures and forest at the Lama Foundation. It was a reminder to the community that life is fragile and nothing is permanent. This was a large design focus for me and the materials that I chose. I wanted them to be beautiful, airy, natural, and also long lasting. I also wanted to create an intimate feeling with the natural world and a connection the the resources being used for each shower.
DRAWINGS
SECTION A 1/8"=1'
FLOOR PLAN 1/8"=1' INK ON VELLUM
ASSEMBLY SYSTEMS
This element of our project was to look at assembly systems of our building including materials and quantities.
Deck assembly system
This element of our project was to look at assembly systems of our building including materials and quantities.
WATER SYSTEMS
WATER'S JOURNEY: FLOW CHART
The interior system is designed to have little-to-no maintenance while working efficiently and utilizing water at all stages to its full potential. Exposed copper piping and diversion elements create an open and conscious water experience for users.
​
The flow chart highlights the basic journey of water entering the building and site. It shows the three main inputs of water, piped in through the shower or sink faucets or rainfall. Each design element harvests, redirects, infiltrates the water back into the water shed. Elements shown in solid orange represent copper piping and the internal use of water, whereas the dotted orange lines represent water that is open to the air via gutter systems, interactive elements, and underground french drains. The isometric diagram shows these elements and their relation to the building abstracted.
RAIN GARDEN PLANT MATRIX
Utilizing a rain garden for exterior water management provides a lot of benefits to the overall water system, as well as the site. The rain garden cleanses and filters water efficiently while returning the water back into the watershed. A french drain system is used to transport water away from the building and back into the watershed. It acts as a buffer zone between the building and the juniper grove providing flood and fire mitigation, reduces erosion, and is a beautiful system which can be both educational and enlightening as it reconnects one with the natural flows of water.
This low maintenance system works by utilizing simple permaculture ideas and choosing the right types of plants to help make the system function. I created a plant matrix outlining the best planting options.
