longiaru-chay house project description · 2015. 12. 21. · avoid direct sun onto the pianos....

Project DescriptionLongiaru-Chay House

Coldham and Hartman Architects has designed a 2400 sq. ft private home and music studio in Lev-erett, MA, currently under construction.

The building is a single-story combined studio space and residence. Owners and architect worked together closely to create a structure with clean contemporary lines, Asian-influenced design elements, and a modernist look. In concrete and steel, with a shallow butterfly roof, the structure uses modern building materials inside and out, and deliberately breaks from traditional residential ma-terials and design. The interior will be open, crisp, and minimal.

The owners were determined at the outset to preserve the natural setting — in their words, “considering the violence it is about to undergo

and has already undergone”. They ruled out lawns and landscaping, decks and patios — the outside is appreciated from the interior. They wanted the house filled with light and sun, especially in win-ter, when they hoped it might enter “with as much force as possible”.

In a woodland setting, this balancing act required special care: on the one hand minimizing the de-struction wrought by site preparation; on the other, clearing enough vegetation to flood the interior with light. The house sits cleanly and conspicuously on a ledge on the hillside. The garage is slid into the hillside under a hypobolic paraboloidal roof that peels up from the ground.

Program-1of 4Longiaru-Chay House

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The home and site itself must be the design. We are interested in a home thatblurs the usual residential/commercial design divisions. We imagine the home tobe one floor. We are very interested in commercial engineered building materialsincluding poured concrete, steel framing, or architectural metals.

“We appreciate you focusing your concern for your client's wishes but I hope youunderstand that for us those wishes also include that you be free to express

whatever ideas you might have wished you could try in the past but never had

the right client, things you have seen and admired with regard to shape, mass,materials, organization, etc. no matter how radical. We have tremendous respect

for the architectural imagination and put it on the level of musical composition”.

��1. Build a smaller house with simple, contemporary, Asian design elements and a

modernist look.Consideration is be given to products such as TRESPA, Kalwall, and evenRHEINZINK — in any event, not the traditional residential siding materials.The Kalwall product has a Shoji-like appearance but is only a start, intended tosuggest Asian influences and to help break away from standard residentialmaterials and design. We are firmly committed not to build what is usuallythought of as a nurturing residential plan, but to incorporate modernisticcommercial elements in the design. I would rather start out too far and have topull back some, rather than start with a typical home design and try anddisguise its origins

2. Create the house in an undisturbed natural setting

No decks, no patios, and certainly not any kind of manicured lawn orlandscaping effects, but rather something that preserves the natural woodedlook as much as possible, considering the violence it is about to undergo andhas already undergone putting in the leach field and stump dump. Excessivegrading and retaining walls are to be avoided. A retaining wall looks like a scaron the landscape, not matter how skillfully disguised. Even a natural stone wallno matter how well built looks to me like a scab covering an open wound andspeaks to a failure of design, a brute force effort to impose something on the

Program-2of 4Longiaru-Chay House

landscape. Let's avoid that at all cost.

3. Even in the woodland setting, fill the house with light and sunThe light is summer can be filtered through the deciduous tree canopy, but inthe winter, bring it inside with as much force as possible. Balancing this goalwith the on above will require constant appraisal, since they essentially inconflict — though the thrust of the Goal #2 is more toward the terrain than thevegetation.

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Create a “sneak-in” type of entry experience

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No formal dining arrangement; retain an open spatial sequence that includes:� One single level for the whole house.� High — 10 feet – ceilings� Extensive concealed storage to allow the living spaces to be uncluttered,

clean, open-feeling.� No fire place or wood-burning device� Place for TV; Ilsoo presently has an exercise device in this space and the

TV is associated with that activity.� Artificial lighting ..........”minimal ...”?

Kitchen to be “public” and informal. The present kitchen, a U-shape with apeninsula dividing counter to the larger living space is a good model.It should —

� be open to other spaces� contain an “office/desk” for mail receipt/sorting and telephone� consider the existing countertop material (ask Doug Kohl)� range and walloven� consider a pantry near the point of arrival from the car.� Sink oriented toward the sun/south

Program-3 of 4Longiaru-Chay House

In keeping with the woodland lot, we would like as many sliding doors andcasement or even commercial windows as possible (no imitation grilles, nothingsuggestive of colonial design) in addition to the Kalwall.We are slowly trying to reduce furnishings to a minimum so are uninterested in ahome designed to showcase interior design or art work.Introduce a generous amount of sunlight.

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The bedroom space to be approximately that of present house — ....., with aseating bay window or the interior effect of same.

� Modest bathroom, no tub, just a 4’ x3’ shower. Make it something of theantithesis of the bathroom in their current house. Make it “functionallyaccessible”.

� Walk-in closet� Small TV

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This space is to function as a bedroom for visiting children and guests.A second bathroom is to be associated with this bedroom space. Make it“functionally accessible also, since the house is a single level.(It also may function as an office and a “media space” with a second TV —Peter?Ilsoo I have this in my notes... please confirm)

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Build an isolated, separate structure for a studio for the pianos. One reasonbeing to isolate the piano sound from the living area, (without recourse toexpensive) soundproofing methods). Another being to provide a future ownerwith a small guest house or artist studio with bath but no kitchen. The lot is largeenough and varied enough that its location is a major design considerationThe height should be considered to be two stories. This might result in a cubestructure, but maybe one that with lots of Kalwall can be made to bring in lots ofmuseum quality natural light and acoustical resonance.Given our thoughts about music, we imagine the studio to have a modernmeditative chapel-like appearance, although that's a phrase I just throw out therewithout being sure what I mean by it. It might mean nothing more than that it besimple and with elegant lines. Kalwall seems to be particularly well suited to anartist's studio in that it is effective at defusing museum quality light and alsoseems to have above-average sound insulating qualities. In addition to their wallsystems, we would also be interested in as much natural light as possible in theform of skylights and Kalwall seems to be a one-stop shopping place for thatalso. The studio would have to have at least some reverberant acousticalproperties, which might mean nothing more than highly reflective surfaces and ahigh ceiling or skylight.Recently I became aware of colored water tubes and am interested in them both

Program-4 of 4Longiaru-Chay House

from a design standpoint and as deriving some energy benefit from them. Theymight be useful in the separate studio since very little is planned for that roomaside from the concert and baby grand pianos. It is also possible thatstructure might be built on a radiant slab able to support the weight.

� Accommodate two pianos 5’wide x 9’ long and 5’wide x 5’ 6” long.� Electronic keyboard.� Avoid direct sun onto the pianos.� Bench/bay window seat.� Water tubes with consideration to their spectacular expression.� Storage for records (40 lin. ft.), books and sheet music (50 lin. ft.), and

CD’s (50 lin. ft.). Note: there are three existing storage units but thesemay best be used elsewhere.

� CD/record playing equipment —� Beyond this, there is to be archive storage (how much??) in less

expensive, though heated, space in the house or garage.� Half-bathroom�

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For one car, site maintenance equipment (specify....) and storage. The buildingto be separate but close to the house, and at substantially the same level as thehouse.

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After this summer and having to deal with heat, humidity and pollen/allergyconcerns for both Ilsoo and the pianos, we realize that we will need a rather moresophisticated climate control system than a space heater or wood burning stovesuch as a geothermal heat pump system that could provide radiant heat to afloor.

� Cooling — to all spaces?� Favor radiant heat delivered via the floor

Environmental Design Requirements

Further consideration has not changed our favoring the radiant floor. It might bejust a fear based on ignorance but with the concrete slab on grade, no matterhow well insulated, we are concerned that with just forced air heat, withoutoverheating the rooms, the floor will never warm enough to allow the no shoerule or the kind of close relationship to the floor we like to maintain year round.There will be no carpeting of course, and possibly only bare colored concrete inplaces. We don't want to risk it not being a comfortable and inviting surface.

Space Needs Table-1 of 2Longiaru-Chay House

04-05 Moomaw House

Program Requirements•Space Needs Table

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Entry Space — inc. mudroom storage 50

Storage Closets — adjacent to living spaces 150

Kitchen 200

Pantry and recycling area 30

Large Living/Dining Room 600

Eating Alcove in above

Office Alcove in above

Principal Bedroom 250

Walk-in Closet 70

Principal Bathroom — with separate shower and tub 120

Secondary Bedroom/Study/…… 105

Bathroom — with shower only 80

Subtotal�� 1,655 ��

Subtotal - Heated Space - Ground Floor ��

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NO SECOND STORY INTENDED

Subtota�� 0 ��

Subtotal - Heated Space - Upper Floor �

Subtotal of Heated Space- Both Floors ��

Subtotal Construction cost: House ��

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NO BASEMENT INTENDED

Subtotal�� 0 ��

Subtotal - Basement (Finished spaces only) �

Subtotal Construction cost: ( finishing and windows only) ��

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Studio area — two pianos principally 400

Storage 30

Bathroom

Subtotal�� 430 ��

Subtotal - Heated Space - Studio ��

Subtotal Construction cost: ��

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Space Needs Table-2 of 2Longiaru-Chay House

04-05 Moomaw House

Program Requirements•Space Needs Table

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Attic

Mechanical and Storage 0

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Garage 500 �� $40,000

Screened porch �� $0

Storage shed �� $0

Linking Walkways — sheltered, enclosed �� $0

Deck 200 �� $7,000

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Parking area and driveway $12,000

Septic system $0

Water supply and electric utility trenching $6,000

Retaining walls $10,000

Landscaping ( tree pruning/maintenance; ) $6,000

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Architectural Design Fees at 10% $57,110

Cost of Furnishings $0

Wastewater treatment system design Complete

Site surveying $500

Permit fees

CONTINGENY @ ……% $0

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In Above

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Site Analysis-1 of 3Longiaru-Chay House

Longiaru-Chay House — Leverett, MA: Notice of Intent Application

Coldham Architects, LLCPage 2 of 6

SITE ANALYSISThe diagrams below show the keys aspects of the site that we are dealing with.

RIVERFRONT AREA: The parcel size 6.61 acres(288,000± s.f) , 62,000 s.f. of which is within the RFA — 22%of parcel. The sub-division road runs between the river and mostof the RFA that is within the parcel.

SLOPES: The site is mostly steeply sloping, except for onelarge area within the RFA (where the developer cleared inanticipation of building in the early 1990ʼs), and a narrow sliver25 feet higher elevation upland of the larger level area.

SITE DRAINAGE/SURFACE WATER: A significantamount of surface storm-water is fed onto the site from adrainage culvert that was installed when the original sub-divisionroad was constructed. This intermittent flow fans out as itapproaches the lower portion of the site.

VEGETATION: The site is mostly forested. The large levelarea within the RFA has a stand of splendid oak trees; the under-story was removed in the early 1990ʼs. The open meadow is acapped stump dump, residual from the sub-division roadconstruction. It has steeply sloping western edge.

ACCESS AND ULTILITIES: The access driveway(shown dashed) was rough in 15 years ago in anticipation of ahouse site within the oak grove. The driveway entry point isoptimally located, providing good sightline in both directions.The septic system was installed in 2003-4.

SOLAR APERTURE/ACCESS: The noon sun shinesalong the contour (perpendicular to the fall-line). Solar accesscan be expanded by extending the “meadow” clearing to thewest. The mass of Laurel Hill to the east delays the morning sun-rise. The high canopy oak grove is a wonderful, natural summershading capability.

Site Analysis-Alternative 2 of 3

Longiaru-Chay HouseLongiaru-Chay House — Leverett, MA: Notice of Intent Application


ALTERNATIVES ANALYSIS — Alternative ONEThe site analysis reveals a narrow strip of almost level land up from the RFA boundary, whichcan accept a house without an undue cost premium if the building plan is longer and narrowerthan the base case floor plan. Initial design study indicates that a successful design (one thatsatisfies the function needs of the Applicants) can be achieved within this floor plan shapeconstraint. It is the view of the Applicant that the Alternative One shown below is “practicallyand substantially equivalent economically” to the originally presented Plan A.

a) Cost — Longer and narrower plan fits the level upland “shelf” without significant addedconstruction cost. The house site, being approx 30 ft. higher than the base scheme location,requires a longer driveway (over 300, in length) to achieve a less-than-10% grade. This addedcost of driveway is offset by the reduced cost of the access path to the music studio with thestudio locates as Option C.

b) Proposed Use —Creative adjustment of the floor plan has allowed the Applicantʼs functionalrequirements to be satisfied is this constrained location.

c) Logistics — So long as the driveway length can be extended to stay below an average gradeof 10%, no variance from the Town of Leverett by-law is necessary.

With the house, garage, and driveway substantially outside the RFA, the Alternatives analysisnow is focused on the optimal location of the music studio — whose site the Plan Alternative Onehas usurped. Three options for the location of the music studio are evaluated as Alternatives 1A,1B and 1C.

Site Analysis-Alternative 3 of 3

Longiaru-Chay HouseLongiaru-Chay House — Leverett, MA: Notice of Intent Application


ALTERNATIVES ANALYSIS — Alternative 1A, 1B and 1CThree alternative locations for the music studio are evaluated. All are within 150 ft. radius of thehouse; none is located on the very steep portion to the east (right); none is in the drainageoutwash area to the south. All retain the principal trees (shown as black dots on the plans) —these trees (oaks or pines) are between 24” and 36” caliper specimens in very good health andhave excellent form.

ALTERNATIVE 1Aa) Cost — Construction on the steeper sloping portion

of the site adds construction cost and site disruption.Access to this location 15ft-plus lower elevation thanthe house requires a long driveway adding further tothe disruption.

b) Proposed Use —

c) Logistics —

The provision of an access to the studio in this locationwill require excessive disturbance to the site outside (butimmediately adjacent) the RFA and to the immediatevicinity of the house

ALTERNATIVE 1Ba) Cost — Construction on the steeper sloping portion

of the site adds construction cost and site disruption.Access to this location 15ft-plus lower elevation thanthe house requires a long driveway adding further tothe disruption.

b) Proposed Use —

c) Logistics —

The provision of an access to the studio in this locationwill require excessive disturbance to the site outside (butimmediately adjacent) the RFA and to the immediatevicinity of the houseThis situation is uncomfortably close to the drainageoutwash area.

ALTERNATIVE 1Ca) Cost —By far the least cost and least site disruption,

though the bulk of the disruption is just inside theRFA.

b) Proposed Use —

c) Logistics —

The provision of an access to the studio in this locationwill require the maintenance of the existing drivewaythrough the edge of the RFA, but the route is alreadyestablished

Initial Site Design ConceptsMoomaw House

The northern garage location produces a longer, less steep driveway. That’s an advantage. But the driveway severs the undisturbed connection to the studio location and pushes the house further to the south and further from the very attractive scenic setting of the rocky outcrops. But this location increas-es the available sun with less clearing of existing vegetation .

Southern Garage Location 1

Southern Garage Location 2

Initial Site PlansMoomaw House

Attached Scheme:Benefits of attachment include:- More convenient / more effi-cient for studio basement as sin-gle, central mechanical location.- Studio basement more accessible and more useful as a storage space.- Possibility of studio doorway to form second means of egress for house, thereby avoiding addressing the problem of where this requirement might be put.

Problems with attachment include:- The site concept is of three (two, re-ally) buildings. The house and the stu-dio are separate formal elements and how can this be satisfactorily projected with these masses joined? (Note: At present, the site building massing re-solves as three distinctly independent and geometrically simple shapes: The house as a rectilinear prism, the ga-rage as a tetrahedral triangle and the studio as a curved, vaulted semi- or quarter-cylinder. Peter wants to pre-serve this independent clarity of form.)

Detached Scheme:Location to the east of the house, adjacent to the entry.Studio building in this location creates two positively defined exterior spaces. One to the south, between the studio / garage “hill” and the house as an arrival courtyard – this with the double oak tree as a prominent landscape feature. The second space beyond – a more private outdoor space, defined by the house, the studio and the face of the rocks.

Conceptual Design-Garage

Longiaru-Chay House

Initial Schematic Design- Plan

Longiaru-Chay House

Initial Schematic Design-Garage

Moomaw House

Peter thought well of the concept in which the grade of the landscape is brought up over the garage roof. The warped plane of the roof (similar in for to that deployed for the house) lifts the SW corner to admit direct sunlight. Otherwise the building is dug into the land and is invisible from the house and studio.

Schematic Design-House Plans November 2005

Longiaru-Chay House

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Schematic Design-Studio Plans November 2005

Longiaru-Chay House

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Schematic Design-House Plans March 2006

Longiaru-Chay House

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Final Floor PlanLongiaru-Chay House

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longiaru-chay house project description · 2015. 12. 21. · avoid direct sun onto the pianos....

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