gabriela chamu

2

oval offi ce, watercolor by gabriela chamu

table of contents:

4 - 9 case study: visiting artists house

10 - 15 green design: eco resort

16-19 residential design: mclennon residence

20-25 furniture design

3

Sonoma CountyOliver Ranch 2003

OwnerSteven and Nancy Oliver

ArchitectJim Jennings

case study: visiting artists houseGEYSERVILLE, CALIFORNIA

4

5

A r c h i t e c t u r e

Two concrete walls, cast in site create a strong form establishing a close relationship with the landscape.

A perceptual telescope and visual link between a small lake to the West and a major sculpture by

Robert Stockhouse to the East where the sculpture appears larger, while the apparent distance to the

lake is decreased. Designed for two artist to share the house at any one time. A residence where

parallel emphasis between privacy and communal living is enforced. Mechanical shades and pocket

doors from the core structure are used to enclose and setoff pavilions. Conceived as a found element

and David Rabinowitch inscription reinforces this with the fl ow and rhythm of his nature inspired design.

6

7

S c u l p t u r e

David Rabinowitch

Medium: Concrete- Fine aggregate; 10” Walls + 4” Canvas

without encountering reinforcement. Non-ornamental on

the exterior, nor to defi ne spaces in the interior but to involve

the architecture in a relationship of rhythm and shape.

8

L a n d s c a p e

An intervention in the land rather than

as an object on top of it by cutting

through a hill and occupying a void in

the site. Openings at both ends connect

inside and out, interiors and exteriors.

9

Designing a space beyond unbeatable comfort, my approach to this design went beyond aestheticall pleasing interiors to a sustainable infrastructure of the building. Developing a design influenced from indigenous mechanisms such as the tall hatch roof design (seen below), which properly functions with the tropical and pluvial climates Fiji is common with. Fostering its native architecture in to an innovative and more practical design that encompasses the land, climate and existing nature. Embodied with operations of sustainability and concious procedures to improve the quality of

green design: eco resortNADI BAY, FIJI

Southwest Pacifi c Ocean

3

2

1

4

5

1 entrance2 health & recreation3 suites4 kitchen & dining5 exterior ceremonial dining

11

12

ground level suite fl oor plan

massage & sauna rooms fl oor plan

The health and recreation buildings contain two hot tubs and four sauna rooms. There are eight massage rooms, coordinated with a soothing, verdant color palette to implement the calming attributes of nature. Additionally, all paint fi nishes are natural made from plant oils water and essential oils, containing no VOC’s. All wood use is registered FSC wood and the exotic emerald fl ooring is made from recycled glass.

13

HEALTH & RECREATION

circulation system by DAY

Due to its location in the Southwest Pacifi c Ocean, the appropriate sustainable architec-ture for this Fijian resort suite stands tall and upright in order to produce a successful lami-nar fl ow ventilation, allowing warm air to rise and keeping the ground fl oor staying cool. In accordance to keeping the space cool, the structure is built using rammed earth because of its high thermal insulation of R-30 and ther-mal mass productivity. Aesthetically, the fi nish product of a raw wall system heightens the environmental consciousness on the visitor and is not only functional but also admirable.< Image from http://engeyedesignteam.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/rammedearth

RAMMED EARTH WALL SYSTEM

14

ventilation system by NIGHT

The usage of water has been designed in such a way to have a very minimal to almost no water waste. The pluvial weather of Fiji makes it an exemplar location to take the outmost advantage of this tropical weather. The exterior’s roof material is white galvanized metal which is the fastest and cleanest way to harvest rain water. Storm drainage is collected with gutters and cisterns which is then pumped and fi ltered to be used as grey water for water fi xtures such as toilets, radiant heat fl ooring systems and hydraulic solar panels. After this use, it is then discharged and becomes black water. However, a living machine system allows this water to be treated and reused through the use of plants and wetlands prior to being able to be reused as grey water.< Image from http://www.heatingoil.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/gray-water-irrigation-system-diagram.jpg

LIVING MACHINE

15

residential design: mclennon residenceLAFAYETTE, CALIFORNIA

16

18

19

furniture design

watercolororange county ‘11

21

ink sketchesitaly ‘09

watercolorsan francisco ‘10

color pencil san francisco ‘10

watercolororange county ‘11

24

fl ower standsan francisco ‘11

25