GREEN RESIDENCE
The Green Residence, is located in northeastern Pennsylvania, was designed by Paul Rudolph in 1969. The residence’s design concept comes from Rudolph’s interlock modular design concept. When examined the generic form of structure, it is generated by one rectangular module. He inspired from the ‘twentieth century brick’ in its complex configuration. The structure is occurred adding of modules to each other. The residence consists of three main module that have same scale, greenhouse and other small modules (same scale) added to the structure. After construction of two main modules, built a bridge that connects two units each other and then, the greenhouse, has the largest space in the house, is poisoned to heart of the residence. Then, the third main module is added to the whole composition. The basement is separated from other modules configuration. Its rectangular form is placed to slope and it contains greenhouse and car parking and it has direct access to first floor. To understand the scale of each module, used the grid diagrams. These grids gives us the spatial configuration of the structure. While a unit in west of the greenhouse contains living space and kitchen, second unit in east of greenhouse contains bedroom, wet area and working space. The third module above it, includes bedroom, wet floor and music room. Because of the concept of interlocking space, these areas flow each other horizontally and vertically.
When Green Residence building which is designed by Paul Rudolph is analyzed, it is examined that there are three axles that are dominating the building and formalizes the structure. Grids are functioned while working with south and north fronts of the structure and specializes forms according to certain needs. Two axles of those three axles are parallel to the north and the south grounds’ slopes. After analyzing Green Residence building, it is examined that the building is positioned at the angle break of the ground. Since the north facade is deprived of daylight: Rudolph used geometry to maximize daylight from the north facade: the grid which is making 60 degrees with north fronts’ slope, cuts rectangular forms to maximize daylight to interior. Green Residence is oriented to its periphery, it has connections with the built site and angles have connection with suns’ position intraday. Since the southern front will take direct light all day long, Rudolph preferred breaking the suns’ rays with narrower angle than the northern facade: the grid which is making 45 degrees to south slope is cutting rectangular forms with emerged grid. The operation of cutting rectangular forms with angles also provides daylight to interior however with the permitted amount. The third grid is perpendicular to gravity force: that grid is cutting modular geometries horizontally. Grids that are occurred through making angle to south fronts’ and north fronts’ ground angles are working separately while formalizing rectangular forms.
Rudolph is defining regionalism largely by its response to climate and the recognition and application of the most appropriate materials and technology. Controlling to the extreme temperature fluctuations of the building by reducing sun gain with high-performance glass and internal shades, as well as allowing for daylight to reduce the use of electric lights is one of aim of the Paul Rudolph in Green House. He designed a conservation with the glass and the façade. Using largest glass panels are creating problem for heat gain and energy consumption. That’s why the controlling windows and position of the house very important. Rudolph designed his structure under the control on these knowledge. He designed a Green Core in the middle of the house. He used glass panel to gain more sun light for plants. The glass panels and the geometry of that part creating least effect to the other part of the house. Daylighting requires precise geometries of envelope, overhangs, window openings, shading devices, and impacting features that affect the sun’s light/shadow projection on the building such as adjacent building geometries or landscape features. In the Green house, structure’s geometry and spatial organization in relation to its orientation is used to demonstrate how interior spaces maximize natural lighting how the eastern shading construction controls insolation impacts and the effect of the shading construction on energy loads. The roof opening’s angle is also used as unit for dividing space inside and also defining spatial differences. Where the angle of the roof intersects, it creates a wall or transition points. The green part of the structure is also another proportion of the roof opening (a, 4a). It is also creating a transition space between different living and sleeping areas.
Architect's Journal 