Passive House

It's been a few more months and after some twists and turns like a twisty-turney-thing, we are aiming for a passive house. Our architects David Barr have recently won some more architecture awards which is very exciting and the house is taking shape nicely. The passive house aspect was a bit of good timing and good research. I am being a little coy still as I would like to get everything designed and approved before exposing the house to the world.  In the meantime, here is a post from 99% Invisible about the mind of an architect.

Feature, Contour and first impressions

Progress so far on our house...our architect David Barr http://www.davidbarrarchitect.com.au/ and his team have been very accommodating and we recently had a Skype session to review some initial concept work. David works from Fremantle, but will be making a few trips down to Denmark during the design process.  As an architecture student it is interesting to see how theory runs into the practical.  It is very useful to understand some of the language of architecture and how it will translate to a real building.

New adventures

We live 5 hours from one of the remotest capital cities in the world - Perth in Western Australia - having arrived from London, England and travelled from Perth when it was just too hot (40C) to stay in the mother-in-law's shed. After 10 or so years of living in a 1970s holiday house conversion, we have taken the plunge, bought some land and decided to build.  When we say build, we do not mean that we will build our house from the items we find around us, somehow magically acquiring carpentry or concreting or any other trade skills. No, after much searching we have chosen our architect.  An architect? Some would and have said.  Give me some graph paper and I will design it for you, has already been told to us. How people can think they can design a house is quite special. I am hoping that someone who has studied for a degree, then a masters and then had 2 years experience before they can even call themselves an architect would know something about design and buildings.  Then our house is not the first and therefore some level of experience has been gained through designing other houses.  I'm not sure I would try being a doctor or electrician or structural engineer, but it seems that anyone can give being an architect a go. Which of course you can.  But with what result? I can give a go at maintaining my car, but I'm sure I will make some costly mistakes.  Should I then try and design my own car? Give me some graph paper, how hard can it be? 4 wheels, check. An engine, check. Connect the two together and chuck in some seats, check. Who needs all these clever car designers? Rant over.

When I was at secondary/high school I won a book prize, no idea what for, but I chose an architecture book.  Unfortunately, I was not able to do technical drawing for some reason - the class was full - and it has taken me decades - yes decades - to actually now study architecture.  I'm pretty sure that technical drawing would have put me off architecture for life, so am a little thankful. 

So, I am studying architecture remotely - yes distance learning architecture - some thought this wasn't right, but these days you can do just about anything remotely including midwifery (admittedly there are some practicals!). Yes, architecture remotely is possible with technology - the same course completed in the same amount of time (3 years), however there are no holidays or breaks, just more units and study periods.

Here is one of my favourite podcasts... 99% invisible