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TRANSCRIPT
THE SUCCULENT HOUSE
www.murmur-la.com
VIEW FROM DEN
Aerial View of Roofscape
Crisis of Identity
The contemporary American house is experiencing a deep-ening crisis of identity in this era of growing environmen-talism. This identity crisis began nearly fifty years ago with the end of the Case Study House program and the rapid ac-celeration of suburbanization. The discipline of architecture never regained its footing in the context of American hous-ing as housing became a product, subject to the efficien-cies and economics of mass manufacture. The impact of suburban sprawl on energy, water and transportation infra-structure was largely overlooked until its geographic con-sequences were firmly entrenched. The widespread growth of environmentalism has done little to assert a new identity for the American house. Whether produced individually or en masse, the American house remains a mixture of old forms, updated equipment and engineered building prod-ucts that mimic long abandoned methods of construction and long discarded lifestyles. This critique applies as much to the tract home as to the dwell modern, mid-century re-mix. Neither solution comprehensively addresses changing societal values or contributes significantly to contemporary design culture. An appreciable shift is underway as a new audience of environmentally concerned citizens gathers. While thus far this audience has embraced environmentally friendly product upgrades and supplemental equipment, this approach is insufficient as its impact on sustainable de-velopment is minor and its rate of change too slow. We be-lieve growing environmentalism should be met with design ingenuity not product specification. A lasting contribution to sustainable development or the discipline is impossible when underperforming architectural and urban organiza-tions are simply reproduced using green branded products. Our proposal, the Succulent House, addresses the pressing global issue of freshwater quality and supply as but one possible force to drive design ingenuity and improve envi-ronmental performance. Ultimately, this approach allows us to speculate on the organizational, spatial and atmospheric potential of water collection on the American house.
The Succulent House is sited on a prototypical urban parcel of 50 feet by 110 feet in anticipation of continuing trends toward inner beltway reurbanization. Organizationally, the roof area of the house is divided in two and its area maxi-mized for water collection, storage and distribution. The in-verted roof planes direct rainwater to storage cores around which program is distributed. In the front of the house, stor-age bladders cascade from the modulated ceiling above to line the more public living spaces. In the rear, the kitchen and master suite surround a bladder wrapped winter gar-den. Our proposal argues that performance is not mea-sured by quantitative methods alone. In fact, we draw on rainwater harvesting in large part because of its impact on the spaces we propose. Roofscape collection is experi-enced from the interior as the space rises and falls to meet the ceiling. The collected water is stored in bladders that respond to changes in seasonal rainfall. Like its namesake plant, the bladders exhibit succulence in times of increased water supply. In times of low supply, the bladders are loose and drapery like. As the bladders fill, the reflective surfaces capture views of adjacent conditions in unexpected ways optically collapsing adjacent spaces into one another. The Succulent House alters the form and atmosphere of the house by integrating rainwater cycles into the rhythms of everyday domestic life.
TRANSVERSE SECTION 1/8” = 1’-0”
Succulent House Typical HousePotable In Potable In
Potable In
Potable In
Grey Out
Annually AnnuallyDaily
Annual Gross Usage Annual Gross Usage
Daily
132.4gal 48,326gal
48,326gal
To Municipality
Recycled Grey In
32.8gal 11,972gal
Recycled Grey/ Excess Rain In
86gal
% to Groundwater
31,390gal
0gal**In most climates, 100% of annual usage can be satisfied through Rainwater HarvestingSource: Handbook of Water Use and Conservation, Amy Vickers
Municipal
Rainwater
To Municipality
165.2gal 60,298gal
To Municipality
74gal 27,010gal
86gal
Runoff To Municipality, % to Groundwater
31,390gal
118,698galMunicipal
Interior
Exterior
Interior
Exterior
Rainwater HarvestingRoof Topology
Site Drainage/Irrigation
Storage Bladders
Site Plantingdry wet
Greywater RecyclingRainwater Harvesting Municipal Supply Unused Rainwater Municipal Supply
Optional Blackwater
Phytoremediation
Blackwater
to Municipality
Greywater +
Blackwater
to Municipality
Groundwater Recharge
Potable Uses
Total Demand Potable
ToiletsIrrigation
Shortages
Surplus Greywater Recovery + Treatment
Filtration + Treatment
Local Rivers and Streams
Contaminated byImpervious Surfaces
Increased Peak Discharge
Causes Flooding
Additional Loads on Municipal Treatment Capacity
Showers
Clothes Washers
Toilets
Dishwashers
Baths
Faucets
Other
Irrigation
Showers
Clothes Washers
Toilets
Dishwashers
Baths
Faucets
Other
Irrigation 86 86
46.4
60
74
4
4.8
43.6
6.4
35.2
40
32.8
2.8
4.8
43.2
6.4
Succulent House Typical HousePotable In Potable In
Potable In
Potable In
Grey Out
Annually AnnuallyDaily
Annual Gross Usage Annual Gross Usage
Daily
132.4gal 48,326gal
48,326gal
To Municipality
Recycled Grey In
32.8gal 11,972gal
Recycled Grey/ Excess Rain In
86gal
% to Groundwater
31,390gal
0gal**In most climates, 100% of annual usage can be satisfied through Rainwater HarvestingSource: Handbook of Water Use and Conservation, Amy Vickers
Municipal
Rainwater
To Municipality
165.2gal 60,298gal
To Municipality
74gal 27,010gal
86gal
Runoff To Municipality, % to Groundwater
31,390gal
118,698galMunicipal
Interior
Exterior
Interior
Exterior
Rainwater HarvestingRoof Topology
Site Drainage/Irrigation
Storage Bladders
Site Plantingdry wet
Greywater RecyclingRainwater Harvesting Municipal Supply Unused Rainwater Municipal Supply
Optional Blackwater
Phytoremediation
Blackwater
to Municipality
Greywater +
Blackwater
to Municipality
Groundwater Recharge
Potable Uses
Total Demand Potable
ToiletsIrrigation
Shortages
Surplus Greywater Recovery + Treatment
Filtration + Treatment
Local Rivers and Streams
Contaminated byImpervious Surfaces
Increased Peak Discharge
Causes Flooding
Additional Loads on Municipal Treatment Capacity
Showers
Clothes Washers
Toilets
Dishwashers
Baths
Faucets
Other
Irrigation
Showers
Clothes Washers
Toilets
Dishwashers
Baths
Faucets
Other
Irrigation 86 86
46.4
60
74
4
4.8
43.6
6.4
35.2
40
32.8
2.8
4.8
43.2
6.4
Water Use: A four-person household in the United States consumes nearly 140,000 gallons of water per year on av-erage. Efficient fixtures and water recycling systems can reduce use to just less than 50,000 gallons per year.
Water Quality: In urban areas, excess runoff due to im-pervious surfaces flows, often untreated, into local rivers
and streams. This has been shown to seriously degrade water quality and also increases the risk of flooding. In conventional homes, excess water from roofs and paved surfaces sheds into municipal storm water systems. Using topographic operations, The Succulent House collects precipitation for use in and around the home, reducing downstream pollution in rivers, lakes and coastal waters.
Groundwater Depletion: Nearly 50 percent of the total population of the United States depends on groundwater for part of their water supply. In many municipalities, the rate at which water is drawn from the aquifer has begun to exceed the rate of replenishment. The Succulent House redirects water surpluses to ‘dry wells’ which filter water back into local aquifers.
Water Management: The collection, distribution, and treatment of drinking water and wastewater nationwide releases as much global warming pollution each year as 10 million cars. In most climates, The Succulent House can reduce the demand on municipal water systems by over 85%. By harvesting rainwater and directing runoff onto landscaping, flooding and erosion are reduced.
+38,454 gal
Atlanta Annual: 50.19”
Monthly Rainfall, Source: NOAA NCDC Average
Annual: 36.27” Annual: 15.14” Annual: 58.53”Chicago Los Angeles Miami+26,094 gal +5,454 gal -25,876 gal
+38,454 gal
Atlanta Annual: 50.19”
Monthly Rainfall, Source: NOAA NCDC Average
Annual: 36.27” Annual: 15.14” Annual: 58.53”Chicago Los Angeles Miami+26,094 gal +5,454 gal -25,876 gal
+38,454 gal
Atlanta Annual: 50.19”
Monthly Rainfall, Source: NOAA NCDC Average
Annual: 36.27” Annual: 15.14” Annual: 58.53”Chicago Los Angeles Miami+26,094 gal +5,454 gal -25,876 gal
+38,454 gal
Atlanta Annual: 50.19”
Monthly Rainfall, Source: NOAA NCDC Average
Annual: 36.27” Annual: 15.14” Annual: 58.53”Chicago Los Angeles Miami+26,094 gal +5,454 gal -25,876 gal
Entry
Systems ComparisonMany homes are retrofitted or designed with supplemental systems and equipment to meet environmental performance and long term impact goals. These additions do little to shift the organizational or aesthetic ambitions of the architec-ture. The Succulent House integrates these systems into the form and organization of the project to assess their effects on architectural experience.
City Rainfall StatisticsBladder and catchment areas are sized according to annual totals and seasonal variations. Climates with significant variations, such as Los Angeles, require larger capicities to maintain the water supply in drier months. For each city, monthly and annual values are included. The surpluses and shortages noted below are for the maximum roof catchment area (2800sf). Surpluses are directed to dry wells and allowed to filter back into local aquifers. Shortages are supplemented by the municipal supply. In most US cities, rainwater harvesting can meet the total water demand of the home.
Aerial View
Aerial View
T.O. Roof24’-0"
Header9’-4"
Roof13’-0"
Finish Grade0’-0"
T.O. Roof24’-0"
Roof13’-0"
Roof18’-8"
Finish Grade0’-0"
SIDE ELEVATION 1/16” = 1’-0”FRONT ELEVATION 1/16” = 1’-0”
SITE PLAN 1/16” = 1’-0”
1
2
3
4
5
1. Living2. Media3. Kitchen4. Master Suite5. Garage6. Bedroom7. Den
OPEN TO BELOW
6
6
7
OPEN TO BELOW
1. Living2. Media3. Kitchen4. Master Suite5. Garage6. Bedroom7. Den
FIRST FLOOR PLAN 3/32” = 1’-0” SECOND FLOOR PLAN 3/32” = 1’-0”
VIEW FROM KITCHEN
SPATIALORGANIZATION
COMPOSITEMASSING
PROGRAMADJACENCIES
WATER STORAGEBLADDERS
CATCHMENTCOMPONENTS
INVERTED ROOF PLANE
BLADDERS AT 60% CAPACITY BLADDERS AT 100% CAPACITY
ORGANIZATIONAL DIAGRAM
BLADDERS AT 30% CAPACITY
View of Living Room
LONGITUDINAL SECTION 1/8” = 1’-0”