Objective: design
a low-cost, three-bedroom house to be constructed in Hawaii.
Special challenges: narrow site adjacent to a lagoon; constructed
of materials other than wood because of termites; natural ventilation
in the bedrooms; continuous decks at the south elevation for exterior
access from each room.
Additional Information:
Because of the narrow buildable portion of the site, two stories
were proposed with exterior decks at each level cantilevered over
the edge of the lagoon. Because of the narrow building width, the
two stories and the cantilevered decks, the foundation was devised
as two concrete walls parallel to the long sides of the building,
supported by large footings anchored into the lava rock. Precast
concrete planks span between the foundation walls. The concrete
deck creates a platform upon which the remaining portion of the
house can be constructed.
The structural system above the concrete planks is a tube-steel
frame with stud wall infill. The wall studs are galvanized steel
with either cement board panels or stucco on both the exterior and
interior; or a combination of each; or wood boards on the interior.
(The individual boards can be replaced if termite decay proves problematic.)
The floor system is a poured-in-place concrete deck supported by
galvanized steel structural panels. The ceiling can be gypsum board
or replaceable wood boards.
The south elevation (not shown) is all glass with sliding doors.
The high vaulted ceilings are separated between each bedroom to
take advantage of natural breezes for ventilation.
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