İpek Bengisu Kumaş

21902314

BUILDING SYSTEMS: REPORT 1

Pirouette House
This unique house was designed by Wallmakers, the lead architect being Vinu Daniel.
The Pirouette House is located in Maruthamkuzhi, Kerala, India.
The area was surrounded by residential and urban projects from all sides, for this
reason, the aim was to create a more private and spacious area. The design serves as an
inward facing residence, and creates private and semi-private spaces with the turning of the
walls. The unconventional façade creates a more unique sense of shelter. The name of the
house in French means the full turn of the body, which correlates with the movement of the
design. All of the spaces that are created are tied together seamlessly with the curvature of the
walls.

Façade of the House

The porch
The technique used for the masonry is called the Rat Trap bond technique. Since
people mostly opted for wire-cut bricks, the local based brick industry was on the brink of
extinction. For this reason, this house and its design of the brickwork was a good way to
promote that local industry.
The material that is used to construct this structure is a brick called “Last of the
Mohicans”. It is a type of fired brick. The form of clay used for these bricks had varying
quantities of chalk, lime and iron oxide in it. The iron oxide in the mixture and the firing
temperature had an impressive effect on the bricks’ color. Although the color of the bricks has
the usual deep orange tint, the placement and the technique of the brickwork makes it seem
unusual and creative.
The Rat Trap bond is a brick masonry technique for wall construction. Bricks are laid
in vertical position, instead of the conventional use of the horizontal position. This method
creates a cavity within the wall, this way thermal efficiency is increased. It cuts down on the
total amount of bricks that are used, making it more economical. It also conceals structural
members and service elements.
In terms of design, bricks were used to suit the space efficiency and the feeling of
privacy. The series of slanted walls that are put together systematically creates a dancing
effect and allows the use of most of the spaces created. The structure is dynamic and has a
sense of continuity throughout the design.

The aesthetic purpose that the brickwork serves also continues in the walls of the
indoor areas. The rhythm of how the bricks are placed also plays an important role in how we
perceive the indoor space, it adds a flowy quality to the walls, and keeps the space from
feeling boxy and entrapping. The geometry and the stable flow of the structural elements
almost makes the space come to life.
The curved walls also create more space and a sense of heightened privacy.
 The construction of the house and the workmanship on the brickwork are shown in the
pictures above. The mortar that is used to bind the masonry units is contrasting in color, the
ashy grey color allows us to perceive each individual brick on its own. This also alters the
way we perceive the space and the structural elements, since we can identify each unit of the
wall, we can sense the movement.
In conclusion, brickwork in this project plays a very important role in terms of
aesthetic appearance, and structure. It creates a unique design while serving other purposes
such as creating enlarged spaces and private areas. The distinction of the color of the brick
and the mortar also enables the movement of the walls to be seen. The vibrant color of the
bricks used both in the exterior and the interior of the house creates a spirited and lively
environment.
 Personally, I could have opted for the use of bricks for one of my designs especially
when creating a domestic environment. The deep color and the flowy structure keeps the
space from seeming “too clean” and adds a personal characteristic to the design. Additionally,
the material is durable, fire resistant, and increases thermal and acoustic quality of the space.
The acoustic quality also creates a heightened sense of privacy. Although the manufacturing
process might not be energy efficient or sustainable, it is also a positive aspect that the bricks
can be crushed and used again if preferred.
 Xaman Tulum Pavilion
Xaman Tulum Pavilion is located in Quintana Roo, Mexico. The structure is designed
by Estudio Atemporal. The exact location of the project is in a jungle in Tulum. The entrance
is almost hidden, blended into the natural environment. It almost functions as a speakeasy in a
way. All the natural elements of the jungle are preserved, the structure that is created in the
middle of a jungle almost feels like it has always been there.

The raw, unfinished touch of the concrete and the greenery that surrounds it completes
the natural look. The heavy concrete volumes contrast with the open, semi-open and the green
areas. This contrast makes the structure feel organic and light.

The project is divided into four main areas, the lounge/living room area, the dining
area, the hidden restroom area, and most importantly the bar area. The independent pavilions
come together to form a semi-open circulation rhythm. The roofs for all of these areas are
always covered with heavy concrete blocks, which serves to protect from the tropical sun and
the rain. Although the spaces are created with definition, all those areas are open to the sides,
this way the visual continuity and the physical connection with the nature is never lost.
 This particular work stood out to me because in a tropical setting, weather conditions
should be carefully considered before picking the structural material to choose to construct
with. The concrete will be directly exposed to heavy weather conditions like rain, humidity,
hail, corrosive agents in the air, mold and storms. But if concrete eaves are incorporated in the
structure, the humidity and the problems it might have caused can be prevented. Even though
the concrete as a material does not require any additional lining, since concrete is a porous
material, it is important to think about the varnish and the water-proofing to protect the work
against the weather conditions and the wear of time.
In this particular design, the metalwork inside the concrete cannot be seen, which
prevents the contact with water, this way the structure is protected from structural damage. An
additional layer of concrete can be added over the structure to prevent water and mold from
coming into contact with the metalwork.
Although the concrete in this project still seems raw and unfinished, we can assume
that the pores were filled to create a smoother surface without the imperfections the nature of
the material might have caused. This layer can have a mix of cement, acrylic additive and a
metal trowel.
The use of concrete in this project establishes many relationships with the outside
world and its residents. The concrete used here does not have any pigmentation, it is a cold
grey color, which contrasts the bright greens, blues and yellows in this tropical setting. The
vibrancy of the area is toned down with the bland and unfinished nature of the concrete,
creating a balanced environment.
Concrete is also very low-maintenance, it is economical and relatively cheap.
Considering the natural setting for the project, the optimal choice for material would be
concrete. It is very durable and strong, this creates a more sheltered and protected feeling in
comparison to the open and unsecured environment. Especially because this is jungle setting
with a lot of natural elements, the project would require a non-combustible material. Concrete
resists rotting, burning and rusting. For this project, it is a stable foundation in all aspects.
Personally, I would use concrete in my designs, because the versatility gives the
designer a lot of freedom to adapt to the conditions and the setting of the project. For this
particular project, the unfinished and raw quality it has perfectly fits its location. It does not
look out of place or bulky. The large volumes of concrete keep the semi-indoor areas safe
from the sun and the weather conditions. The cold tone in terms of color also juxtaposes the
hot and humid weather. In terms of structural construction, the use of metal/iron frames and
reinforcements render the structure more stable.
Sources:

Tapia, Daniel. “Xaman Tulum Pavilion / Estudio Atemporal.” ArchDaily, ArchDaily,

26 Sept. 2020

Pereira, Matheus. “Tips for Using Concrete in Architecture.” ArchDaily, ArchDaily,

21 Aug. 2018, www.archdaily.com/899839/tips-for-using-concrete-in-architecture.

“The Properties of Concrete.” The Properties of Concrete - Designing Buildings Wiki,

www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/The_Properties_of_Concrete.

Abdel, Hana. “Pirouette House / Wallmakers.” ArchDaily, ArchDaily, 1 Oct. 2020,

www.archdaily.com/948757/pirouette-house-wallmakers?ad_source=search.

“Pirouette House by Wallmakers.” India Design ID, 3 Oct. 2020,

“Pirouette.” The Free Dictionary, Farlex, www.thefreedictionary.com/pirouette.