A slice of life

An innovative project in the New-Orleans tradition.

The district of Broadmoor is characterized by a dense urban environment, established by suburban houses grouped together between them forming ”clusters”, islands cut by an important road system.

Broadmoor is also defined by the aesthetic, cultural and typological wealth of houses that constitute these islands. The variety of "styles" (Bungalow, Craftsman, Colonial Revival, Mediterranean) of this housing creates a rhythmic through streets of Broadmoor; a unity. Its strong identity claims to be protected and improved by new settlements. Our project has to integrate this pattern and participate to the development of this architectural, social and historic heritage.

Relation between the street - the house- the neighbors is an important topic in the urban structure of Broadmoor. The typological analysis of houses advances a language based on a notion of filter. A progression is drawn from the public to the private (street, access-staircases, hall), of generous protected outer spaces turned to the street.

From this first analysis and the relationship maintained between the shotguns house and its neighborhood, the project defines a natural succession of spaces which brings the user of the public place (the street) inside the house and to the garden.

SIDE WALK: the pavement constitutes the public place, the first meeting place for the Broadmoor residents. It establishes the social link.

FRONT YARD: the front yard is the space directly in contact with the public space. This first step toward the property leads to the ADA-compliant ramp, to the staircases and also to the passage of the car. A ground surface treatment marks these accesses.

GROUND PORCH: the covered porch is the first protected welcome area. It takes advantage of the gap created between the upraised building and to the ground (7 feet) to propose a space of entrance(entry) with which the reduced height (6.11’) allows to mark the entrance to the house. This first space integrates a bench, which allows passer-by taking a break, discuss with the inhabitant.

ELEVATED PORCH: the entry porch constitutes the main entrance of the house. The side windows of the living room and kitchen also give to the inhabitants a visual control over entrances.

COVERED EXTERIOR SPACE: the south-oriented terrace is a generous outdoor living space, protected but plenty of sun, in direct contact with living spaces and street.

GARDEN PORCH: the transition between built area and the garden is characterized by a in double height covered outdoor space. The wood lattice filters the light to give an impression of limit and intimacy.

GARDEN: this covered green area is widely opened on the garden. The transition is free, which gives a feeling of space and freedom.

A design root in Broadmoor

The level of First Floor, 7’ above ground, introduced the following issues:

• Accessibility for the elderly

• Treatment of the free space at the level of the street

• Relation with the typology of the neighboring houses

• The relationship express between the outside street and the covered outdoor living space

To tackle all these issue, the project develops a private space (COVERED EXTERIOR SPACE), flexible, adaptable according to the users.

The overhang of the street elevation aims to structure spaces, to offer a covered space with entrance (entry) which defines the accesses (ramp, staircases). It also generates an important welcome area, in close contact with the public space.

The south street is marked by two elements, a structural frame which resumes the shape, the typology of shotgun houses and a wooden cladding, a second skin which comes to cover the structural frame to come settles on the ground to define spaces of entrance.

The “wooden skin” spreads on east and west facades with a movement which characterizes the ramp, the garden, the porch, and which allows protecting (water, wind, light) the private spaces while having a dialogue in a narrow way with the existing houses.

The rise garden (north elevation) is characterized by the same elements which define the rise street, a structural frame, a wooden protective skin but also by a ramp, balcony on the garden which puts a relation the internal spaces and gardens.

An adapted but adaptive dwelling

The internal design of the dwelling is characterized has been driven by environmental parameters as well as, historic ones. It has the will to offer a quality living spaces adapted to living intendeds.

Typological reference: the first floor building plan is a proposition of adaptation of the shotgun house plan which is a clear, rangy plan taking back living spaces in the South and the night spaces in the North. Of the analysis of this plan, the project proposes a fault, a slice within the project which has the following objectives: propose a visual and physical connection with the garden, propose a route in the house which integrates the ramp, the night hall, the entrance hall, the staircases and the GROUND PORCH, to take advantage of a diffuse light and an important natural ventilation

Prospect and views: the plan was designed to give numerous internal-outside perspectives, relations between living spaces and garden, spaces flatware and the street.

Rhythm and space: the space to interior is given rhythm by the structure visible which underlines spaces and transitions between spaces outside - internal and spaces day and night

Porches: they are considered as direct extensions of living spaces. They take advantage of a light filtered by the “wooden outside skin” and determinant the outside life of the accommodation

Ramp expression: the ramp expresses itself completely inside the house. It marks inside the housing to offer continuous furniture. Its custom varies according to the room (TV piece of furniture in the living area, the kitchen furniture, the bed for secondary bedroom. The ramp, due to its cover, also expresses itself as a natural continuity of the "fault" outside and proposes one stroll, a landscaped route along the west facade of the project.

2. High value, low fare envelope

Economy considering the structure, not the strength or durability.

The building structure is designed to conjugate high-strength and low-cost. Composed of the most renewable construction material, the wood, the structure is in a great extend prefabricated. Primary high-strength frames ensure lateral resistance of the volume. Geometries of these frames are in a great extent repetitive, to allow a cost reduction in prefabrication. Angels are reinforced by steel plates, which sizes will be guided by structural computation. The frames are linked by wood beams and braced by steel cables. This system ensures a high strength. The spaces between the frames are filled with prefabricated panels. The constant distance between frames eases this prefabrication and induces a good cost control, an improved quality and a drastic reduction of construction period. This upraised volume is supported by 2 types of structures: On the one hand, V-shaped longitudinal pillars ensure stability in this direction and, on the other hand, the transversal walls of the technical room give the building a transversal stability.

The whole geometry is wrapped in a wood lattice. It unifies the volume and links it to the ground while protecting panels and windows from impacts during storms, and its extensions are solar protections, protecting the south terrace and the north covered garden. These extensions, by filtering the air, reduce the wind speed around the two main facades. It generates microclimatic areas, protected from the extremes of climate. It also preserves intimacy of the home by creating a filter on secondary views, on lateral facades.

This system, rather than being hided, is expressed inside. Materiality of wood beams contrasts with the witness of internal layer of walls and ceiling.

An integrated and quality finish…

Materials have been chosen in appropriateness to the local uses and background. The wood structure and envelope is a constant in Broadmoor built environment. The design reinvents traditional elements like the metallic balustrade, with floral ornaments. A laser-cut steel sheet gives a contemporary meaning to this traditional element.

…at controlled costs

The building cost is in relation with materials, implementation, complexity of the structure and the compactness of the project. From these elements, the project answers all its requirements:

Structure: a simple structure based on the repetition of simple elements

Facade materials: a cladding composed by a system of prefabricated panels simplifies details and implementation

Implementation: a mainly flat broke implementation which takes advantage of methods of prefabrications

Materials: Materials are the most common in Broadmoor building background and don’t ask any particular implementation.

3. A low-tech LEED project

The emphasis of the proposed design is a strong spatial concept that limits the use of complex systems for the purpose of reaching a high level of environmental performance. In this way, the platinum LEED level is achieved with a very simple design and adapted to elderly habits.

The design has a very good natural lighting quality. The living space opens and extends onto a south-oriented terrace, which offers a sunny outdoor space and relates to the street life below. This extension protects the main living space from street noise and from direct sight from the public space. At the same time this room is visually and physically connected with the a backyard and the a garden by a large corridor. This layout leads to the bedrooms that are oriented towards the calm areas of the garden. Lateral secondary views are filtrated by the external shell that offers privacy while letting in natural light.

The main thermal comfort requirement in New Orleans is cooling. The spatiality itself is conceived to reduce the need to cool the house mechanically. The high ceiling lets warm air rise, reducing the perceived temperature inside. This concept is supplemented by a ceiling fan. Apertures are protected from direct sunlight during summer and let it enter the building during winter. The house is insulated by uninterrupted composite panels and a careful attention to detail at connecting points and thermal bridges. High performance windows complete the house envelope

The mechanical equipment is placed within the thermal envelope of the house in a safe place with respect to hurricane and flood hazards. It is concentrated within the ceilings of wet rooms and bedrooms, and the roof. This plant space can be converted into a safe haven if needed. This design strategy is directly linked to a natural ventilation concept for the proposed building.

The whole space is aimed to facilitate air circulation. A central fault, which is also used as main distribution spine for the house, connects rooms to the outside and permits cross ventilation in both direction. The living room can be opened on all four sides of the house, which guarantees efficient natural ventilation. In this way main rooms have a direct triple exposure and secondary ones have a double exposure.

A simple air exhaust system is planned for wet rooms that are grouped in the center of the house. This reduces ducting lengths and consequently maintenance costs.

For water management, a tank is installed in the technical room below the main level under the wet rooms. Rain water from the whole roof is collected in this tank to irrigate the garden when needed, and to external areas.

The house is installed with very high efficiency fixtures and fittings. A report of the water consumption will be displayed in the living space to increase resident awareness. The technical room at ground level houses the waste storage and is large enough to ease waste sorting and recycling. Tubes connect bins to this storage area and are located very close to the street and the waste collection path. Waste handling is therefore simplified in particular for, elderly people and people with limited access abilities.

A number of technologies have been explored for on-site energy generation. Photovoltaic panels have been discarded due to the orientation of the plot and the historical roof shape, climate of New Orleans and their fragility in the face of the likely strong winds. The preferred technology is a group of small wind turbines. Integrated on the roof, they are predicted to take advantage of the Venturi effect that accelerates wind by circa 40%. The chosen type is Aeolta Aerocube. Given the wind statistics in New Orleans, the orientation of the roof is perfect to assure an optimal production all throughout the year. Electricity should be produced day and night, and in the case of winds that are too strong, the turbine automatically limits its rotation speed by reducing the surface of its opening. Simple, low maintenance and building-integrated, this system enables a constant production and an energy independence in case of a natural disaster.

4. A safe home for the hurricane season

The building structure is designed to resist 150 mph winds. Primary high-strength frames ensure lateral resistance of the volume. The frames are linked by beams and braced by steel cables. The spaces between the frames are filled with prefabricated panels. This upraised volume is supported by 2 types of structures: On the one hand, V-shaped longitudinal pillars ensure stability in this direction and, on the other hand, the transversal walls of the technical room give the building a transversal stability.

Furthermore, the windows are hurricane-resistant, and externally protected. Laterally, an external wood lattice covers the windows. Its function is double: providing internal privacy while letting natural light in and protecting the windows from flying objects during storms. The lattice also preserves the insulated panels from impact.

The project takes advantage of the local wind climate by producing electricity from roof-mounted wind turbines and by prioritizing natural ventilation.

5. A design that takes care of elderly people.

The whole project is organized for elderly people. Living rooms, bedrooms and commodities are on the same floor and are efficiently and easily connected. This relation is enhanced by the shape of the central circulation space that slices the volume and reduces internal distances. The circulation is treated as a space in its own right and extends to the outside and at both levels.

A connection with the street level is achieved in 3 different ways. At the front of the building, a large and low-inclination staircase connects the main entrance on the main floor. An another stair is placed on the back yard,

The large south-oriented outdoor living space is relevant of this attention. Very close and accessible from the main living space therefore encouraging its use by the residents: it takes advantage of the sun and participates in the life on the street.

The main living level is accessible from the ground level via 2 large stairs and a fully ADA-complied ramp which plays a strong role in the whole architectural expression of the project by slicing the whole volume. The internal volume takes advantage of this configuration: in the living room and kitchen a storage space is formed replacing the need for furniture. In the laundry household appliances are elevated, therefore easing handling for elderly.

Furthermore, opening shutters are easy to use and waste is collected via tubes and stored in the ground-level technical room, close to the street and the waste collection path. In conclusion, the project is designed to reduce the amount of complex systems and offer a simple and high quality lifestyle.

6. An eco-pedagogic home

Rainwater from the whole roof is collected in a tank located in the technical room. It can be used for irrigation and cleaning of external spaces and stuff. The level of remaining water is visible from outside the room, to make the consumption directly visible.

In the same way, a display screen inside the living space will show the electricity consumption and production inside the living space, and the water consumption for resident awareness.

The waste storage is large enough to facilitate sorting for recycling.

The shutters are operated manually to give occupants more control over their environment.

Eventually a user manual will be written to explain the project concept, environmental strategy and how to use the different parts of the house efficiently.

7. A design fed by every fields

The conception of the design reveals a wide range of roots:

Historic: The design derives from the traditional shotgun house; the shutters and the balustrade patterns are inspired by local architecture

Social: Different spaces are designed to accommodate local lifestyle habits, for example, the porches.

Structural: The project takes into account the structural requirements necessary to face hurricane and flood hazards. The project has already undertaken a computer fluid dynamics study (CFD).

Environmental: The particular climate of Louisiana has been taken into account to shape the design and assure climatic comfort. Shadow and natural light studies have already been carried out.

The whole design is conceived to achieve a balance between the specific architectural and Historical context of Broadmoor and a requirement for innovation. It takes into account the constraints and uses them as forces to drive the design. In this way, the ADA ramp shapes the volume, while the wind is transformed to energy and gives life to the home… Everything is designed to keep the project small, green, and affordable.