Week Six - Major Project Research

The Architect I have chosen to concentrate on and draw inspiration from for the major assignment is Glenn Murcutt. I chose to study Glenn Murcutt because he is an Australian Architect who understands how to construct buildings in Australia. I am also intrested in learning more about the way he uses readily available materials in Australia to construct a building. Glenn Murcutt usually designs small buildings such as houses or small museums and generally in the Australian outback.

I have provided images below that represent some of Glenn Murcutt's designs including photos and sectional drawings. The sectional drawings look at the types of materials and construction techniques he uses.

Magney House, 1975, Bingie Point, NSW, Australia

Image above found at: http://www.theage.com.au/news/house--home/murcutt-the-heavyweight/2006/12/05/1165080945902.html

The main function of the Magney House is to collect rain water. The corrugated roof was specifically designed as a large arch in order to collect rain water that gets used by the occupants. The choice of material for the roof was chosen because of the sound rain makes as it reflects off the metal (emphasising the fact that the rain water is effectively being used).

Important construction techniques observed: cylinder shaped gutter/downpipe system, overlapping roof over gutter, shape of roof beams, materials include corrugated metal (roof and cladding), steel beams, he also used brick in the interior for thermal puposes.

The three images above found at: http://web.mit.edu/meelena/www/urban-nature/template-mainframe-magney-house.html

German Pavilion, International Exposition, Barcelona, 1929

Henric Nicholas farmhouse, Mt Irvine, 1977-1980

Local History Museum and Tourist Information Centre, South Kempsey, 1981-1983

Michael Hawksford house, Point Piper 1979

Zachary's Restaurant, Terrey Hills, 1980-1983

The images and sections above taken from: Drew, Philip, Leaves of Iron, Glenn Murcutt: Pioneer of an Australian Architectural Form, The Law Book Company, Melbourne, 1985