Using Generative and SustainableUsing Generative and Sustainable

Design Processes to Create Living Urban Form:Design Processes to Create Living Urban Form:

Case Study of a Courtyard Housing Design CompetitionCase Study of a Courtyard Housing Design Competition

KyriakosKyriakos Pontikis, Ph.D.Pontikis, Ph.D.

Associate ProfessorAssociate Professor

California State University, NorthridgeCalifornia State University, Northridge

The Competition BriefThe Competition Brief

�� In 2007 the City of Portland sponsored a competition to revive In 2007 the City of Portland sponsored a competition to revive courtyard housing in the citycourtyard housing in the city

�� Ideas for infill housing to provide a quality living environment at Ideas for infill housing to provide a quality living environment at densities higher than conventional detached housingdensities higher than conventional detached housing

�� The focus of the competition was to use courtyards in providing:The focus of the competition was to use courtyards in providing:

a. Attractive housing options for families with childrena. Attractive housing options for families with children

b. Usable outdoor space while providing environmental sustainable b. Usable outdoor space while providing environmental sustainable b. Usable outdoor space while providing environmental sustainable b. Usable outdoor space while providing environmental sustainable benefitsbenefits

c. A livable setting for community interaction while also respecting c. A livable setting for community interaction while also respecting privacy needsprivacy needs

d. A pedestriand. A pedestrian--oriented space while also accommodating carsoriented space while also accommodating cars

e. Continuation to Portland's tradition of streete. Continuation to Portland's tradition of street--oriented urbanismoriented urbanism

Considerations of ChildConsiderations of Child--Friendly DesignFriendly Design

�� Children need safe, outdoor play area close to their homes that can be easily Children need safe, outdoor play area close to their homes that can be easily supervised by parents.supervised by parents.

�� Outdoor spaces should be designed to accommodate a variety of play activities in Outdoor spaces should be designed to accommodate a variety of play activities in both green and hard paved surfaces.both green and hard paved surfaces.

�� Settings that provide for casual interaction between children and adults.Settings that provide for casual interaction between children and adults.

�� Need for dwellings that have the right degree of privacy and community interaction.Need for dwellings that have the right degree of privacy and community interaction.

�� Need for indoor children play spaces and sufficient numbers of bedrooms.Need for indoor children play spaces and sufficient numbers of bedrooms.

�� Accessible Accessible storage for strollers and bicycles. storage for strollers and bicycles.

Housing AffordabilityHousing Affordability

�� Need in Portland for Need in Portland for housing ownership housing ownership -- housing housing that is affordable to that is affordable to low low to to moderate income moderate income households. households.

�� The median sales price of a home in the Portland area was $282,500 (April 2007)The median sales price of a home in the Portland area was $282,500 (April 2007)

�� $247,000 is the maximum amount considered to be affordable to a family of four $247,000 is the maximum amount considered to be affordable to a family of four earning the median family income of $66,900. earning the median family income of $66,900.

1. 1. 100’ wide by 100’ deep100’ wide by 100’ deep

Housing program: 4Housing program: 4--10 units oriented to a shared courtyard10 units oriented to a shared courtyard

One parking space per unitOne parking space per unit

2. 2. 95’ wide by 180’ deep95’ wide by 180’ deep

Housing program: 7Housing program: 7--17 units oriented to a shared courtyard17 units oriented to a shared courtyard

One parking space per unitOne parking space per unit

Two Infill SitesTwo Infill Sites

Portland Portland Courtyard Housing PrecedentsCourtyard Housing Precedents

Design ProposalDesign Proposal

bybyBuilding Process Alliance Members:Building Process Alliance Members:

KyriakosKyriakos Pontikis, Michael Mehaffy, Susan Ingham,Pontikis, Michael Mehaffy, Susan Ingham,Eileen Tumlin, Kathryn Langstaff, Stuart CowanEileen Tumlin, Kathryn Langstaff, Stuart Cowan

Design PrinciplesDesign Principles1. Pattern Language, 2. Generative Processes, 3. Form 1. Pattern Language, 2. Generative Processes, 3. Form Language,Language,

4. Ecological Design, 5. Carbon Neutral 4. Ecological Design, 5. Carbon Neutral Building,Building,6. Ownership and Perpetual Affordability, 7. Urban Growth6. Ownership and Perpetual Affordability, 7. Urban Growth

1. Pattern Language1. Pattern Language

The project brief has been translated into a project pattern language. The project brief has been translated into a project pattern language.

�� Example of a pattern: Example of a pattern:

Front Yard Play AreaFront Yard Play Area -- Parents need to be able to see children while they play. Parents need to be able to see children while they play. But children need to be able to play outdoors, in an area that is not isolated. But children need to be able to play outdoors, in an area that is not isolated.

Therefore, create a small front yard area off the courtyard. Place the kitchen Therefore, create a small front yard area off the courtyard. Place the kitchen window nearby, so adults can monitor children window nearby, so adults can monitor children

[Kitchen Looking Onto Yard] [Kitchen Looking Onto Yard]

Other patterns:Other patterns:♦♦ Porch Transition Porch Transition ♦♦ Private Outdoor Space Private Outdoor Space ♦♦ Kitchen or Living Room Looking Onto Yard Kitchen or Living Room Looking Onto Yard

♦♦ Farmhouse Kitchen Farmhouse Kitchen ♦♦ Bed Alcoves Bed Alcoves ♦♦ Quiet Back Area Quiet Back Area ♦♦ Private Outdoor Space Private Outdoor Space ♦♦

Balconies Balconies ♦♦ Private Backspace Private Backspace ♦♦ South Roof Garden South Roof Garden ♦♦ Community Bike Storage Community Bike Storage ♦♦ Shared Shared

Stairwells Stairwells ♦♦ Community Storage and Workshop Community Storage and Workshop ♦♦ Pervious Parking Gross Motor Play Area Pervious Parking Gross Motor Play Area

♦♦ Flex Car Stations Flex Car Stations ♦♦ Shared Electric Vehicles Shared Electric Vehicles ♦♦ South Facing Courtyard South Facing Courtyard ♦♦ Main Entrance Main Entrance

♦♦ Gradients of Outdoor Spaces Gradients of Outdoor Spaces ♦♦ Outdoor Seating Outdoor Seating ♦♦ Water Fountain Water Fountain ♦♦ Terrace Vegetable Terrace Vegetable

Garden Garden ♦♦ Children’s Puppet Theater Children’s Puppet Theater ♦♦ Sandbox Play Area, et al.Sandbox Play Area, et al.

2. Generative Design Processes2. Generative Design Processes

The Courtyard Project is created through a series of generative design The Courtyard Project is created through a series of generative design processes creating life and wholeness at various scales. processes creating life and wholeness at various scales.

�� Generative Architectural Design Process:Generative Architectural Design Process:This process starts This process starts by first delineating the courtyard and by first delineating the courtyard and is successively is successively refined through creating building volume, entrances, dwelling units, terraces, refined through creating building volume, entrances, dwelling units, terraces, and fine details. and fine details.

�� Generative Interior Design Process:Generative Interior Design Process:This process starts by generating public and private zones within the dwelling This process starts by generating public and private zones within the dwelling and then it further delineates living room, kitchen, dining room, bedrooms, and then it further delineates living room, kitchen, dining room, bedrooms, and then it further delineates living room, kitchen, dining room, bedrooms, and then it further delineates living room, kitchen, dining room, bedrooms, bathrooms, etc.bathrooms, etc.

�� Landscaping Design Process:Landscaping Design Process:This process deals with the generation and refinement of the central This process deals with the generation and refinement of the central courtyard and its entities along with the further delineation and detailing of courtyard and its entities along with the further delineation and detailing of dwelling dwelling terraces. terraces.

�� Urban Design Process:Urban Design Process:A generative process A generative process is also taking is also taking place at the neighborhood scale by place at the neighborhood scale by creating creating shared parking driveways and bigger shared open spaces shared parking driveways and bigger shared open spaces

STEP 1: COURTYARDSTEP 1: COURTYARD STEP 2: BUILDING VOLUMESTEP 2: BUILDING VOLUME

Generative Generative Design Design ProcessProcess

STEP 3: ENTRANCESSTEP 3: ENTRANCESPlace the entrances to create life inPlace the entrances to create life inthe courtyardthe courtyard

STEP 4: UNIT AREASSTEP 4: UNIT AREASPlace the individual units relative toPlace the individual units relative tothe entrancesthe entrances

Place the courtyardPlace the courtyard Locate the volume of the buildingLocate the volume of the buildingaround courtyardaround courtyard

STEP 5: UNIT LAYOUTSTEP 5: UNIT LAYOUTLayout the individual spaces in each Layout the individual spaces in each unit, placing the living room and kitchen firstunit, placing the living room and kitchen first

STEP 6: COURTYARD AND TERRACESSTEP 6: COURTYARD AND TERRACESArticulate and intensify the courtyards and terracesArticulate and intensify the courtyards and terraceswith similar elements such as planters, trees, and bencheswith similar elements such as planters, trees, and benches

STEP 7: ADJACENT GROWTHSTEP 7: ADJACENT GROWTHCreate opportunities to share resourcesCreate opportunities to share resourcessuch as driveways, and connect opensuch as driveways, and connect openspaces to form larger wholespaces to form larger whole

STEP 8: URBAN TRANSFORMATIONS OVER TIMESTEP 8: URBAN TRANSFORMATIONS OVER TIMEStepStep--byby--step evolution and growth of neighborhoods tostep evolution and growth of neighborhoods tocreate harmonious and sustainable citiescreate harmonious and sustainable cities

Square Footage of Units:Square Footage of Units:

�� Ground Floor (no balconies or terraces Ground Floor (no balconies or terraces

included)included)

Three bedroom Three bedroom -- 930 930

Three bedroom Three bedroom -- 910910

Three bedroom Three bedroom -- 900900

One bedroom One bedroom -- 548548

One bedroom One bedroom –– 488488

�� Second FloorSecond Floor

Three Bedroom Three Bedroom -- 1216 (+Terrace)1216 (+Terrace)Three Bedroom Three Bedroom -- 1216 (+Terrace)1216 (+Terrace)

Two Bedroom Two Bedroom -- 1100 (+ Terrace)1100 (+ Terrace)

One bedroom One bedroom -- 817 (+Tower)817 (+Tower)

�� Total Square Footage 6909Total Square Footage 6909

Ground 3776Ground 3776

Second 3133Second 3133

�� Apartment Layout ProcessApartment Layout Process

Step 1. Determine apartment social zoneStep 1. Determine apartment social zone

Step 2 Determine apartment private zoneStep 2 Determine apartment private zone

Step 3. Define verandah next to social zoneStep 3. Define verandah next to social zone

Step 4. Create apartment room layoutStep 4. Create apartment room layout

Step 5. Provide small balconies next to roomsStep 5. Provide small balconies next to rooms

�� Room LayoutRoom Layout

Step 1. Position of roomStep 1. Position of roomStep 1. Position of roomStep 1. Position of room

Step 2. Spatial volumeStep 2. Spatial volume

Step 3. Main Step 3. Main centercenter in the roomin the room

Step 4. Windows and lightStep 4. Windows and light

Step 5. Secondary Step 5. Secondary centerscenters

Step 6. Design and embellishmentStep 6. Design and embellishment

of surfaces and structureof surfaces and structure

Step 7. TranquillityStep 7. Tranquillity

The geometrical elements and characteristics of buildings that have arisen The geometrical elements and characteristics of buildings that have arisen from a particular building culture, historical styles, or personal styles of from a particular building culture, historical styles, or personal styles of architects and designers. Form language inspires us to continue local building architects and designers. Form language inspires us to continue local building traditions and create structures of enduring comfort and beauty. traditions and create structures of enduring comfort and beauty.

3. Form Language3. Form Language

�� Shape of building: UShape of building: U--shape building formshape building form

�� Shape of open space: Rectangular or square courtyard Shape of open space: Rectangular or square courtyard

Portland Courtyard Housing Form LanguagePortland Courtyard Housing Form Language

�� Local construction system: timber frame Local construction system: timber frame

�� Local materials used in the area: stucco finish or horizontal wood board Local materials used in the area: stucco finish or horizontal wood board siding for exterior wallssiding for exterior walls

�� Doors: wooden doorsDoors: wooden doors

�� Windows: grouping of wooden windows, bay windowsWindows: grouping of wooden windows, bay windows

�� Roof: sloped Roof: sloped roofscaperoofscape

�� Roof details: wide eaves and knee bracesRoof details: wide eaves and knee braces

4. Ecological Design4. Ecological Design

�� Energy use is 60% less than a conventional building and renewable generation Energy use is 60% less than a conventional building and renewable generation reduces carbon footprint by 80%.reduces carbon footprint by 80%.

�� Rainwater will be collected in a cistern and reused for toilet flushing and Rainwater will be collected in a cistern and reused for toilet flushing and landscaping. All storm water will be filtered and infiltrated onlandscaping. All storm water will be filtered and infiltrated on--site. Potable water site. Potable water and wastewater will be reduced by 50%.and wastewater will be reduced by 50%.

�� Materials will be nonMaterials will be non--toxic and high recycled content with an emphasis on local toxic and high recycled content with an emphasis on local production.production.

�� Landscaping will include a combination of lowLandscaping will include a combination of low--irrigation natives and edible irrigation natives and edible landscaping.landscaping.landscaping.landscaping.

�� OnOn--site food production includes fruit and nut trees and terrace herb and site food production includes fruit and nut trees and terrace herb and vegetable gardens. There will be lowvegetable gardens. There will be low--irrigation native landscaping.irrigation native landscaping.

5. Carbon Neutral Building5. Carbon Neutral Building

�� Courtyards Which Live will have a carbon footprint that is 30% that of a Courtyards Which Live will have a carbon footprint that is 30% that of a conventional building.conventional building.

�� It will use 60% less energy use than Oregon energy code requires through:It will use 60% less energy use than Oregon energy code requires through:-- a community ground source heat pumpa community ground source heat pump-- advanced window advanced window glazingsglazings-- insulated concrete formsinsulated concrete forms-- structural insulated panelsstructural insulated panels-- heat recovery ventilationheat recovery ventilation-- passive solar design, and other strategies.passive solar design, and other strategies.-- passive solar design, and other strategies.passive solar design, and other strategies.

�� The project will generate almost 30% to 50% of its total energy needs from a The project will generate almost 30% to 50% of its total energy needs from a combined solar photovoltaic combined solar photovoltaic –– solar thermal system.solar thermal system.

�� The remaining carbon footprint will be offset with carbon credits, creating a The remaining carbon footprint will be offset with carbon credits, creating a Carbon Neutral Building. Carbon Neutral Building.

Ecological Design PatternsEcological Design Patterns

♦♦ Small Footprint Small Footprint ♦♦ High Density High Density ♦♦ Open SpaceOpen Space♦♦ WoonerfWoonerf ♦♦ WalkableWalkable Neighborhood Neighborhood ♦♦ Alternative Transportation Alternative Transportation ♦♦ Pedestrian Access Pedestrian Access ♦♦ Courtyard Community Courtyard Community ♦♦ Healthy Healthy Restorative Environment Restorative Environment ♦♦ Lower Energy Costs Lower Energy Costs ♦♦ Heat ExchangeHeat Exchange♦♦ Radiant Floors Radiant Floors ♦♦Energy Recovery Ventilators Energy Recovery Ventilators ♦♦ On Demand Hot Water Heaters On Demand Hot Water Heaters ♦♦ Energy Star Energy Star Appliances Appliances ♦♦ Compact Compact FlourescentFlourescent Bulbs Bulbs ♦♦ Courtyard Evaporative Cooling Courtyard Evaporative Cooling ♦♦Deciduous Trees Deciduous Trees ♦♦ Edible Landscape Edible Landscape ♦♦ Native Landscape Native Landscape ♦♦ Vegetative Infiltration Vegetative Infiltration Basins Basins ♦♦ Community Recycling Community Recycling ♦♦ Compost Compost ♦♦ FlexcarFlexcar ♦♦ Shared NEV’s Shared NEV’s ♦♦ Durability of Durability of Materials and Systems Materials and Systems ♦♦ FlyFly--ash concrete ash concrete ♦♦ lowlow--embodied energy embodied energy ♦♦ FSC lumber FSC lumber ♦♦ 85% 85% Recycled Content ICF Recycled Content ICF ♦♦ Natural Ventilation Natural Ventilation ♦♦ Flexible Floor Plans Flexible Floor Plans ♦♦ Rainwater Rainwater Catchments and Storage Catchments and Storage ♦♦ BioBio--swale swale ♦♦ Dual Flush Toilets Dual Flush Toilets ♦♦ LowLow--flow water headsflow water heads

6. Ownership and Perpetual Affordability6. Ownership and Perpetual Affordability

�� A Sustainable Land Trust operating as a nonA Sustainable Land Trust operating as a non--profit developer, will own the profit developer, will own the land. Homes and improvements will be owned by residents. An initial land land. Homes and improvements will be owned by residents. An initial land subsidy is provided in exchange for 75% of property appreciation reverting to subsidy is provided in exchange for 75% of property appreciation reverting to Sustainable Land Trust on sale and 25% remaining with owner.Sustainable Land Trust on sale and 25% remaining with owner.

�� Owners will qualify for location efficient mortgages (LEMs) and energy Owners will qualify for location efficient mortgages (LEMs) and energy efficient mortgages (EEMs), allowing quality materials and green technologies efficient mortgages (EEMs), allowing quality materials and green technologies to be employed.to be employed.

�� A turnkey thirdA turnkey third--party provider will own the project’s solar array of 7kW party provider will own the project’s solar array of 7kW allowing residents to buy energy at belowallowing residents to buy energy at below--market rates.market rates.

�� Oregon Department of Energy and Energy Trust incentives will aid project Oregon Department of Energy and Energy Trust incentives will aid project �� Oregon Department of Energy and Energy Trust incentives will aid project Oregon Department of Energy and Energy Trust incentives will aid project financing.financing.

7. Urban Growth7. Urban Growth

�� Adjacent Growth:Adjacent Growth:

Create opportunities to share resources such as driveways, and connect open Create opportunities to share resources such as driveways, and connect open spaces spaces such as courtyards to such as courtyards to form a larger wholeform a larger whole

�� Urban Transformations Over Time:Urban Transformations Over Time:

StepStep--byby--step evolution and growth of neighborhoods to create harmonious step evolution and growth of neighborhoods to create harmonious and sustainable citiesand sustainable cities

Teamwork/ Google Teamwork/ Google sketchupsketchup/ model making/ sketches/ model making/ sketches

Competition EntryCompetition Entry

Winning EntriesWinning Entries

Shortcomings of the winning entries:

1. Courtyards:

a. Cars penetrate the site and interfered with the courtyard, contrary to brief ’s requirements.

b. Building massing and orientation prevents sun reaching the courtyard.

c. The courtyard does not have a meaningful shape; it is a “left over space”.

d. Courtyard lacks at times the right degree of community and privacy.

2. Units:

a. Units do not have variety of size thus lucking affordability to families of various incomes.

b. Most proposals have identical floor plans so they lack variety and individuality.

c. Some units are too exposed to the public realm and therefore lacking needed privacy.

Shortcomings of the winning entries (continued):

3. Building:3. Building:

a. Most buildings have monolithic volumes and their forms do not respect the local ones.

b. Material use and building detailing have nothing to do with the local building culture,

thus lacking continuity and integration. For example, building fenestrations with too

much glass surface ignore Portland’s climatic conditions.

4. Neighborhood:

a. Most proposals do not deal with the urban scale structure.

b. Most proposals are connected to their neighboring buildings and open spaces in a

meaningful way.

c. Some proposals ignore the street as a shared public realm.

d. The buildings do not add to the sense of community and belonging as they have an

aversion to precedents and have a universal character.

ConclusionConclusion

• Focus of such competitions, like the profession as a whole, is on novel proposals rather

than demonstrating humane re-generation and re-adaptation of housing typologies.

• Contemporary methodology disregards user needs, context, and local building culture.

• It has an aversion to precedents and relies on image-based proposals that are rooted in

novelty and experimentation with unproven approaches.

• Focuses on ecological and economical building sustainability while ignoring for the most

part social and humane building sustainability.

• Green building fails in creating living and socially equitable communities as a foundation

for true sustainability.

• There is a need to integrate green building with humane building, where architects give • There is a need to integrate green building with humane building, where architects give

more control to users in forming their own environments.

• Architects should not focus upon pre-planned or standardized formal designs but deal

with processes which can bring upon “wholeness” in the urban housing form.

• There is a need to focus on local and unique designing and making processes where the

urban forms emerge through gradual, step-wise, unfolding processes similar to the organic

processes employed in traditional city-building.

• Architects should focus on city-making processes such as social interaction, site diagnosis,

building densities, geometric unfolding of buildings and public open spaces, financial

arrangements, cash flow, craft and construction, and construction management.