Eames House - Environmental Performance

arct2050

eames house assignment 01

context

environmental performance

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materiality

Nat ur a l / Ar t i f i c i a l Context Project: Eames House Location: California, United States Building Type: Private House Project Timeline: 1945-1949 Longitude: 118.519418W Latitude: 34.029918N Altitude: 85m Size: 5666m² Climate: Warm-summer Mediterranean

Csb

Located in a residential neighborhood, Eames House is designed to take advantage of the bluff top site which features a wide meadow opening from a hillside, a row of mature eucalyptus and a view of the Pacific Ocean. Majority of California has a Mediterranean climate. This comprises warm, dry summers and mild, wet Winters. Since Eames House is located near the coast, it can be especially hot which results in warm but cool evenings. This also causes rare freezing temperatures even in Winter. Some environmental risks that Eames House can face are earthquakes, landslides, storms, erosion, wildfire and falling trees, as overtime, it will deteriorate.

Eames House is separated into two parts which comprises the residence and studio.

MONTHLY SUNSHINE

*This graph is essential especially if one wishes to convert to using solar panels, as the sun hours will determine an accurate estimation of production of the solar panels.

PRECIPITATION

12pm (79.37°)

Sa le h Ka j i Es f a h a n i Envi ro n m ent al De s i g n

B

21st December

Winter solstice

Sunset: 4.49pm

Sunrise: 6.56am

A 12pm (32.53°)

SITE PLAN 1:1000

WIND DIRECTION DISTRIBUTION JUNE (SUMMER)

DECEMBER(WINTER)

As Eames House is located near the coast, majority of the wind direction in summer, winter as well as annually, comes from the SW and WSW direction. The annual wind speed is 11.30m/s (highest) and 1.13m/s(lowest). In June( Summer), there is also wind coming from the N direction with speeds up to 9.30m/s while in December (Winter), there is wind hailing from the N to E direction, with wind speeds of up to 11.30m/s.

OUTDOOR COMFORT COLD

The graph shows the monthly number of sunny, partially cloudy and precipitation days. Days with lesser than 20% of cloud cover is considered sunny, in between 20%-80% is partially cloudy and more than 80% of cloud cover is considered overcast.

Sunrise: 4.43am

B

YEAR

This graph describes the duration of sunlight in the area, over the year. On average, July receives the greatest amount of sun while November receives the least amount of sunshine with only 217 hours. The average annual amount of sun hours received is 3254 hours.

21st June

Summer solstice

A

Sunset: 7.09pm

TEMPERATURE DIAGRAM

HOT

The annual outdoor temperature shows comfort.

The outdoor comfort is hot in the summer period especially in the afternoon while it is cold in the winter period, even in the afternoon.

The average annual temperature is 18.9 °C.The graph indicates that July is the hottest month of the year, with a relative humidity of 81.32%, while December is the coldest month of the year with a relative humidity of 62.52%.

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Env i ro n m e nt a l Pe rform a nc e - Sum m er Analy sis SUMMER OUTDOOR ANALYSIS RADIATION (SUN)

UNOBSTRUCTED SUNLIGHT

Heat transfer by radiation from the sun. Radiation is when heat is transferred through empty space

Houses sitting on a cliff generally receive unobstructed/direct sunlight

O2

AIR QUALITY

CO2

PRIVACY

Pollution levels in California are high. The surrounding trees aid in alleviating the inhabitants from the polluted environment by cleaning the surrounding air.

Height of surrounding trees conceal the house from the public’s views, providing privacy to the inhabitants.

CONDUCTION (GROUND)

Heat transfer by conduction from ground to above air by direct contact

CLIMATE AMELIORATION

Moderating the climate by filtering sunlight and providing shade to the inhabitants.

Least efficient way to transfer heat as air is a poor conductor of heat

RESPIRATION

Inhabitant undergoing heterotrophic respiration

RADIATION (GROUND)

Heat transfer by radiation from ground

CROSS SECTION BB

INDOOR / OUTDOOR RELATIONSHIP SECTION AA 1:200

DIRECT SUNLIGHT

At 12pm in Summer (June), the sun is at an altitude of 79.37m. The building is almost never deprived of direct sunlight as it sits on a cliff.

Alt: 79.37m Azimuth: 185.4° 100% radiation

AIR CIRCULATION

When the sun hits plantation, it creates shadows in the interior part of the house, keeping it cool.

Summer wind heights

*Eucalyptus trees can burn from excessive sun as they are highly flammable.

Courtyard enhances air circulation through stack effect, allowing rising hot air in the house to escape

LIGHT FILTRATION

Radiation

There is an overhang on the south court, which blocks off summer sun rays Stairs are made of plywood, entirely from going into the building. which absorbs heat and make

Sheer curtains on windows aid in filtering light entering the building, reducing radiation by at least 50%

Evaporation Transpiration

surrounding area slightly warm.

Convection

INDIRECT SUNLIGHT

Reflection Summer winds from SSW

Living Room

Dressing Area

Bedroom

Double-height spaces and completely glass facade allows indirect sunlight to enter the building

Loft Studio

Cool air

Hall

Dining Area

Kitchen

TEMPERATURE AMELIORATION

Conduction

DAYLIGHTING

Double-height windows are environmentally efficient as it reduces dependence on electricity during summer

CROSS VENTILATION

Windows and doors encourage cross ventilation, which creates an air vacuum that sucks up the hot air, releasing through the courtyard.

When the sun moves, there is an interplay of light, shadow and reflection across exterior surfaces

*Windows are kept open always to promote cooling

VEGETATION

• • •

Deciduous vegetation Reduce ambient temperature through transpiration Moderate surrounding humidity through evaporation

High

INTERNAL SPACE THERMAL ANALYSIS AIR CIRCULATION

Wooden floors reduce the temperature fluctuation in the interior spaces

Ground Floor Low

First Floor

SOUTH ELEVATION PLANS, Not to Scale • • •

Cross ventilation across the building is strong due to the wind from the SW and WSW direction. Although the building is long, ventilation is still strong due to the openings such as the doors and windows.

The building does not require any in house-cooling system as it is built with sufficient openings and optimizes the wind direction.

The west walls are built on an upper slope which allows the building to enjoy a natural insulating effect.

Sa leh Ka ji Es f a h a n i Enviro n m e nt a l De s i g n

AIR VACUUM • Cool air enters from the bottom and as it heats up due to heat transfer, it rises. Windows above are left open to create an air vacuum, sucking up the cold air upwards to allow it to escape. This ensures temperature regulation and ventilation.

VENTILATION • In summer, doors and windows are left open to allow the cold air to enter the house.

RADIATION • Roof constantly absorbs heat. However, absorption rate is affected due to surrounding plantation which helps to filter the amount of summer rays into the building.

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Env i ro n m e nt a l Pe rform a nc e - Wi nt er An aly sis WINTER OUTDOOR ANALYSIS LESSER SUN

AIR QUALITY

O2

Sun is lower down towards horizon during winter. There’ll be lesser daylight and heating as sun rays are spread out and not direct

Air is more dry in winter than summer due to the low humidity levels. Whatever moisture is left is sucked up into the air.

CO2

SOIL

PRIVACY

The ground (soil) has a large heat capacity.

Soil captures heat during summer, and stores/retains it for as long, maintaining warmer air temperatures during winter

The house is more visible to the public as the trees are deciduous.

The trees shed leaves during winter.

Unlike the bottom half of the residence, the rooms upstairs are very private as the exterior and interior views are limited.

RESPIRATION It is more difficult for inhabitant to respire during winter due to the dry air, as a result of the low humidity levels.

CROSS SECTION BB

INDOOR / OUTDOOR RELATIONSHIP SECTION AA 1:200

DIRECT SUNLIGHT

AIR CIRCULATION

At 12pm in Winter (Dec), the sun is at an altitude of 32.51m. Sunlight is not blocked as it is on top of a cliff.

Alt: 32.51m Azimuth: 182.17° <20% humidity

Winter wind heights

Northern side of the studio has one opening which can be closed during winter, preventing Winter winds from entering the building.

Screen doors in bedrooms that encourage ventilation in the double height space

INDIRECT SUNLIGHT

Double-height spaces and completely glass facade allows indirect sunlight to enter the building

GREENHOUSE EFFECT

Leaves falling

Warm air collecting Bedrooms

Limit to cold air entering SW direction

Regulates the airflow and temperature in the space with the direct sunlight space gets as trees no longer have leaves

Dressing Area

Warm air rising

Loft

Sunlight easily enters building during winter. This assists the floors in regulating the temperature

Studio Living Room

HEATING

Hall

Kitchen

Dining Area

Floor heating

The residence was constructed with Payne forced-air heating unit to keep the space COLD AIR warm during Winter.

In the colder months (winter), the openings of the house are closed off to prevent cold air from entering the house.

VEGETATION •

Stairs are made of plywood, which absorbs heat and make surrounding area slightly warm.

•

Floor heating

Deciduous - Leaves shed during winter, allows sunlight to pass through Surrounding air is dry due to low humidity levels so transpiration levels are low, not much change in ambient temperature

INTERNAL SPACE THERMAL ANALYSIS

INDOOR FLOOR SYSTEM

Wooden floors captures and retains heat, keeping floors warm during winter

High

AIR CIRCULATION Ground Floor

Low

Air circulation outside is limited compared to inside the house in winter. The air circulation happens only in the interior of the house, hence the small arrows.

First Floor

SOUTH ELEVATION

•

• •

PLANS, Not to Scale The wind direction for Winter is generally the same as summer. However in Winter, there is also wind coming from the N to E direction. This only affects the studio part of the building, only on the ground floor as there is one opening. The cold wind can still be controlled as the openings can be closed.

The openings in the South are also closed to minimise the intrusion of cold air from that direction, keeping the building warm.

The west walls are built on an upper slope which allows the building to enjoy a natural insulating effect.

Sa le h Ka ji Es f a h a n i Enviro n m e nt a l De s i g n

FLOORING SYSTEM • An insulator is selected as the material for the floor as it is good in retaining heat to keep the inhabitants of the house warm during winter COOL TEMPERATURE • Heat is radiated into the building through the glass windows, openings, glass windows and the coloured panels surrounding the entire building INDOOR HEATING SYSTEM • Although the building is constructed with a Payne forced-air heating unit, it is rarely used as it is able to heat up efficiently, keeping the inhabitants warm during Winter.

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Ma t er i al i t y EXPLODED ISOMETRIC EAMES HOUSE SCALE 1:150

ROOF SYSTEM

CONCLUSION:

•

The placement of materials in Eames House was based on interior organisation and need for light and privacy. The residence and studio are separated and a significant amount of excavation was needed to execute this design. The residence section of the house is a compact plan and the signature features include the spiral staircase and the hallways. The hallways are a seamless integration of indoors and outdoors, which allows exposure to light, space and air.

Constructed from Ferrobord Steel , comprising a waterproofing and insulation later Flat roof prevents excessive heat gain (summer) and aids in heat retention (winter) with the insulation layer.

•

Disadvantages:

Although the house was designed to meet the working and lifestyle needs of the Eames’ and it is unique due to the innovations created with existing materials, the house is in constant need of maintenance. The Eames relied on staff for general maintenance of their property. Such maintenance include reroofing, repainting the exterior, fixing moisture problems and leaking. These solutions however are temporary.

• •

Flat roof system: terrible drainage system Water will be collected, causing blockage in the draining system which will be especially arduous during rainy days Foliage from surrounding vegetation will drop and land on roof, causing blockage in the roof gutters

•

COLOURED PANELS • • •

Coloured panels were used as a structural element Contains both external and internal walls Contains cemesto and stucco. Panels allow light to permeate into the building and does not require extra insulation/protective coating

GLAZING SYSTEM •

Disadvantages: • • •

Walls are vulnerable to wear and tear Materials deteriorate very easily, so constant maintenance is needed which is expensive Walls are vulnerable to excessive sunlight permeation and rainwater during rainy days

•

Different types of glazing is used such as original clear polished plate glass, wire glass and translucent glazed panels Created a temperature buffer layer which prevents internal heat from leaving (winter) and external heat from entering (summer)

Disadvantages: • •

•

Low insulation properties/value Excessive use of glazing causes excessive amounts of sunlight and heat to permeate.

Sheer curtains were installed to prevent excessive permeation.

Constant maintenance as debris from surrounding plantation will stick on the glass

FLOORING SYSTEM •

•

FACTORY STEEL FRAMING

Tiles in residence were initially asbestos. This caused deterioration and became a safety concern which resulted in replacement of tiles to vinyl.

Tiles in studio were initially concrete slabs but wood was introduced as it allows heat to move and does not cause overheating.

• • •

Disadvantages:

Disadvantages: • •

Manufactured in the factory Forms a delicate structural web that is filled with a variety of materials.

Allows the building to look light.

•

The wooden floors in the studio can be badly damaged due to moisture and staining.

Since the place is heavily frequented by people for its architectural wonders, the colour of the tiles can eventually fade.

•

In need of constant painting to ensure that the steel does not rust due to the high salt content from the nearby coast and the water from the rain Water can seep in and loosen the joints which will not only cause deterioration but will collapse.

MATERIALS IN STRUCTURE: SUPPORTING CONCRETE WALL • •

Supports the west walls of the building Included to retain row of eucalyptus trees to eliminate excessive heat (summer) and allow sufficient heat permeation (winter)

CEMESTO : Cost -efficient , low maintainence during manufacturing and installation into house. Structurally strong (found in the coloured panels)

PAINT: Air received comes from Pacific Ocean with high salt content, which causes corrosion. Painting prevents corrosion and absorption of unnecessary heat.

STUCCO: Found in the coloured panels. Used as a decorative coating on walls, ceilings and exterior walls.

TALLOWWOOD: Found with the coloured panels.

Acts as a vertical panelling that allows permeation of light into house, and allows light to bounce off double-volume spaces, regulating temperature throughout.

Disadvantages: • • •

Wall is not properly waterproofed Roots from surrounding vegetation can grow and cause cracks Water from the rain can seep into the building, causing floods and moisture

Sa le h Ka ji Es f a h a n i Enviro n m e nt a l De s i g n

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