Architrctural Analysis on Avelino Duarte by Alvaro Siza free essay sample

To the south of Oporto the approach to the house is predetermined with a base plane of limestone and gravel ; upon arrival Avelino Duarte stands out with its distinct white facade articulation among other bricked roof authentic houses ;to the gate of the site the approach is frontal ,the gate isn’t to the appropriate scale only 90 cm of the ground and a meter in width ,made out of wood it’s a logical proportion for a 3 story house ,also it serves its function well characterizing visual continuity towards the building , ets a frame to the site ,and deterring which is public from private . Through this gate a straight axial path made out of hard stone acts also as a base plane leading you to the entrance of the house around which is filled with a large plant inhabited garden. This visual aspect overall stresses on a feel of welcoming , straight forward ,and a minimalist impression deceiving one’s thought of complexity of the interior . Form: The form is a result of many transformation sequences ,using tools such as subtraction and addition of volumes ,dimensional transformation ,interlocking volumes ,primary composite solids ,used under the guidelines of balancing versus misbalancing ,or symmetry versus symmetry . to create the quality and masterpiece that alvaro siza is known for . The sequence starts like this , a primary volume being a rectangle is initiated from the dimensions of the site scaled down to about 0. 43 of its initial size ,proportions are preserved to fit it naturally along its surrounding . Second a distinct element alvaro siza is know for ,a symmetrical subtraction was excavated from the front and back facade to create two features ;First feature is the creation of entrances ,on the front facade is the main entrance an axial ,direct approach to the house ,and On the back facade an entrance from the living space to the courtyard and garage . Second feature is the creation of an intermediate space on the front and back facade between two private spaces found on the the second level . Third is a subtraction in the right facade ,this volume is in composite shape ,only subtracted from the second and third floor ,as if sliced from the house it leaves the first floor dominante in size . Alvaro Siza wont stop their but to follow his guide lines of balancing ,he subtracted the roof in to three parts forming terraces in two levels . Therefore the overall shape becomes steady ,until the Fourth element where misbalancing was used to create movement making it a playful composite shape ,the addition of a curve was set in the back facade where the excavation took place and in the roof he curved the third level making a distinct feature in his volume much different from any other houses he has built . The overall volume stands out as a positive element within its space ,with naturally articulated features ,logical proportions ,and rough guidelines . Surface Articulation and Entrance : As all of alvaro siza’s work ,he is know as the man with the white structures . The finishing surfaces of the facades and roof are all done the same a simple white paint as not to distribute the true meaning of the space around and within , as the great adolf loos states â€Å"ornaments is a crime â€Å". but mysteriously this minimalist approach forces avelino Duarte to screams out among other surrounding housing stating im new and special . Moreover the white structure lets you understand its true proportions without any distributional elements such as factory manufactured materials having a standard proportion because of mass production ex. brick or panels . On the other hand ,the windows must been used with its proportions sit in place ,but Alvaro Siza uses them cleverly . First the scale is used perfectly for the function its serving ,and never exaggerated in its length nor width for it not to depict horizontal nor vertical elements . Second, the glazing surrounds the first floor entirely between every meter of glass there is a 20 cm column for support . it being a public area in the lower floor it is a positive aspect to have it all glass ,the residence inside has a visual relation between the garden outside making the area of the ground level bigger than it really is . More over the glass surrounding counter acts with the floors above it, giving them a floating sensation . In the upper floors glass has been used for function purposes, as for the amount of light a particular area of a room needs determines the size of the window . Most importantly the windows used in the intermediate spaces which is found in the north and south excavation,these windows allows this intermediate space to be functional , a visual connection is set between to private area and a public exterior space in the middle . Also these windows diffuses light in the spaces , resulting in a beautiful indirect illumination of the private bedroom . The entrance of the house is found in an unexpected place ,but was only placed there because of the guidelines that the architect followed . as stated previously the front symmetrical excavation was a natural entry sequence for the house but rather placing the door directly in front of this axis , the door was placed to the left part of that space creating an asymmetry for the entrance of the house . The door is standard in size 2. 2 meters in height and 0. 9 meters in width ,made out of glass its is a continuity of rhythm of the windows striped in the first floor ,sometimes unable to be distinguished of what is the door from window . The circulation and the inside spaces : Avelino Duarte has a centralized organization of spaces ,the atrium inside runs through all the floors to the roof ,inside which is the main circulation which leads to two types of spaces ,spaces linked by a common space, land adjacent spaces . We could easily depict what is private from public from the articulation of the facade ,where the ground floor surrounded by glass is completely exposed to the public ,where as the upper floors are private . As you enter the main door , an empty space is a gesture as a welcoming space to the house ,directly in front of it is the atrium containing the main circulation leading up to the upper floors ,the atrium is the dominating figure in the house ,spaces around it are linked by this common spacea hierarchal principle of some kind . he around adjacent spaces are the kitchen ,living room, the guest room, and two service bathrooms . the size of these spaces aren’t determined by the client but with the proportioning system of Alvaro Siza ,refer to the for the proportioning system in the analytical diagrams . To the entrance of the courtyard there is a common space between the living room and kitchen a pathway the leads you to the door of the courtyard . moreover as you go up the s econd level the organization is still central because of the dominating power of the atrium but we could also realize the linear axial organization between the bedrooms. This is the result of the excavation giving it symmetry where two bedroom are allocated in the front facade and the other two in the back ,theses pairs of spaces are linked by two common space ,one for each pair ,they act as a a transitional space before entering the bedrooms . there scale is reasonable for the area that the first floor occupies ,all having the same size except for the back right bedroom which evolves the terrace has the proportion as for the bathroom adjacent to it . One frequent space talked about is the two intermediate space that links the four bedrooms together. As you go up the second floor , it’s an open plan all spaces look to each other and under the atrium ,giving it a sense of spaciousness and relaxation ,and indeed it is the reading room and work space for the client , here it is a spatial organization the space is determined by furniture a space within a space . also there is a huge terrace adjacent with one of the workspace . In conclusion : Avelino Duarte is one of alvaro siza trademark, all the features that it acquired outstand itself freely and independently around its surrounding ,but with hierarchal features . Analytical diagrams: Construction of Form Symmetrical Excavation of the Intermediate Space, in relation with the inside space 1. Interlocking spaces with the common space 2. The proportioning system. The circulation and the distributing of spaces along the atrium Photo Documentation: 1. The front Facade 2. the back facade 3. the intermediate space along with the addition of the curve 4. The intermediate space between two private windows. 5. Front face and the proportions used in the windows 6. Lower stair case in the atrium. 7. upper staircase .