Building Type: Multi-family Dwelling
Status: Design Study
Site: Newport, Oregon
Year: 2006
Inspired by the intricate patterns created by living organisms, this project is an exploration of the dwelling prototype called a Floating Island: a biodynamical, self-sustainable structure.
Shore along Newport, Oregon is selected as a site for the floating multi-family dwelling. Owing to cold ocean current, maximum average temperature in Newport stays within the range of 50-65 ºF throughout the year. With proper natural ventilation system, heating/cooling energy consumption for the dwellers can be reduced drastically.
A pattern is a meticulously organized arrangement of objects in space and time. Matter shapes itself into the structure that is best fit to absorb stress. Living organisms build a pattern with no external/global influences. Instead, the system’s internal/local components interact to produce the pattern. This bottom-up form making technique was applied for the development of the proposed structure. Each hexagonal cell is carefully manipulated to accommodate dwelling units, piers and landscape.
Outer skin of the proposed structure is made out in an array of Photovoltaic fins. This particular arrangement allows fresh air to circulate, and also maximizes the skin’s surface area in order to capture sunlight to generate electricity.
Perimeter of the Island is landscaped for the residents to enjoy the panoramic view of the ocean while filtering and storing rain water for future use.
Physical boundary of the Island is liberated from the external constrains such as “rectangular lots”. Instead, overall profile of the Island is a result of an interaction among the multi-faceted hexagonal cells.