melon|design:architecture

The poet house was conceived for a site on the Japanese island of Honshu, with vistas overlooking a bay to mountains beyond. In collaboration with the client, a locally renowned poet, m|d:a developed a space, centered about the japanese notion of 'en'. The house acts as a gateway to the poets place of contemplation, its spaces defined by folded planes of solid and light.

The house is at its basest reading conceived as shelter and a retreat from the outside world : crafted within this reading are spaces for internal contemplation and meditation, and spaces that open out to the bay and mountains beyond.

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Another reading of the house is that of a sculpture designed to heighten the awareness of the outside (nature) by abstracting and excerpting the exterior world in as much as a poet would through his craft. In one space a low level opening permits views of the earth, fallen tree leaves upon the grass, and the base of a Persimmon Tree. Through the opening nature transcends the boundaries of the artificial construct, a shadow of the tree is cast on the floor of the house changing the space as it morphs through the course of the day and seasons.

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Through other carefully designed apertures shafts of sunlight enter the house at certain times of the day or year, illuminating specific parts of the space, assorted objets trouvees, and the tokonoma. Reflected light off an outdoor pond is captured on the ceiling of the tea room, whilst the milk glass walls of the resting space diffuse the gentle swaying of the black bamboo outside.

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On the birthday of the client a shaft of sunlight passes through the roof illuminating an exterior space with views to Mount Fuji. His favorite place of contemplation, it is to be his final resting place.

The container house projects were inspired by a client who approached us looking for a weekend residence for his agricultural lands situated in the south-west of Saint Lucia.

The brief asked for prefabricated construction, to enable quick erection on a remote site. The solution had to be inexpensive, whilst being self sufficient, as running utilities to the site posed problems. Security was also of high importance, as the house would be unoccupied most of the week. more

From this came a series of houses that re-use shipping containers - inexpensive and readily available on the island. The prefabricated interior fitout would be carried out by craftsmen working in the boatbuilding trade, used to utilising narrow spaces, and working with 'homes' with movement. Also inspired by sailing is the yacht battery array used to provide electricity. These are charged by either solar electric roof panels or a small wind turbines common on sailboats.

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Industrial roller shutters provide large openings for light and cross-ventilation, whilst providing security. A large roof canopy provides a sheltered outdoor living space for eating, barbecues, and relaxing, and allows for ample rainwater catchment for storage.

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In the wake of the recent hurricanes that have ravaged the islands, the idea of container houses take on a greater resonance – quick prefabricated units, self sufficient in power and sanitation – could be supplied as emergency bases, shelters, medical centres, temporary village / community centres, or house replacements. They can be shipped in and trucked to site, or even transported by helicopter to remote locations.