efficiency of 3d solids

I spent the weekend sketching, most times beginning with 7 straight lines that resemble a cube in perspective. The question of how closely I should adhere to my premise that a cube is the "best" shape kept coming to mind. I had based this premise on a general understanding, but I now needed to run the mathematics to give me a scale on how advantageous the house geometry really is.

This chart shows the surface areas of various shapes, each containing 1000 cubic units of volume. I mentioned in my last post several of the benefits to reducing surface area, and these results give me a sense of the factor of those benefits. (the "house" shape is a square house with a gable roof & in most cases the proportion of dimensions affects these figures.)

A relevant consideration is the fact that roofs & foundations are often much more expensive than walls, and they transmit heat in different ways, so the idea of minimizing footprint should be factored in with other decisions as well.

I was directed toward some great examples and discussion of cube houses by the folks at designcommunity.com. Here are a few inspirational pics:

first stroke

To begin thinking about a design, I am going to treat this blueprint as I would a painting - laying down the big strokes first so that I don't get caught up in the pores of the skin before marking out accurate proportions in the figure.

In either case, I need to understand the purpose of my strokes before touching the canvas. I have boiled down the purpose of a house to this overly simple definition: a form containing livable space.

Thus, my first considerations will be of the best possible shape for this form. Now I greatly appreciate that geometry is free, whereas building materials aren't. So then, I will splurge on a lavish geometric shape that minimizes surface area while maximizing volume of "space" (another free substance!)

Being economical is only one of many reasons for choosing to minimize surface area. The energy efficiency of a home is largely determined by how much heat escapes through the outer surfaces, and reducing the area of these surfaces can only help. By reducing the material usage and increasing the energy efficiency, we consequently have a lower impact on the environment, less required maintenance, and a more durable home.

Simple geometry tells us that a sphere is our most efficient three-dimensional solid. Natural laws exhibit this every time we blow air into a shape (a bubble for example).

After some very enjoyable pondering on building a spherical house, it is pretty clear that this shape doesn't fulfill the very important principle of practicality in building and living. My estimation is that all benefits this shape embodies would be negated by making it livable (flat floors, construction complexity etc.)



It seems that the 90 degree angle truly is the "right" way to build a house and the ideal shape which holds the most volume while tolerating nothing more or less than 90 degrees is the perfect cube.

This simple shape will be the first stroke I put on my canvas blueprint. It will of course be affected by many forthcoming decisions, (probably most dramatically by roof slope) but it makes an ideal starting point.

Please join me in scrutinizing these seemingly simple ideas, and leave a comment below.

overall mindset

Since every person sees and lives in a different way, I understand that I need to direct this journey toward a central goal, which is of course to construct my "perfect house."

Despite my use of the word "perfect", I am of course limited by money. Probably about 150,000 dollars of it for this structure that will house my wife, my many future kids, and myself here in the state of Connecticut.

Nevertheless, thought is free, and using it abundantly and openly should naturally result in a house that is affordable, beautiful, durable and environmentally clean.

introduction...

the OPEN-house project

My wife and I are now starting the process of building a house. This blog will follow the project all the way through from conception to birth by:

• keeping the house experiences and thoughts open as a resource to others

• keeping our plans and ideas open to collaboration by the collective minds of people around the world

as we attempt to rethink the concept of a home by keeping an open mind.

I plan to reason through even the most basic decisions aloud, rather than faithfully following traditional architectural conventions. I hope for this blog to be a thinking ground for many ideas to meet, synthesizing into the perfect structure.

please join us, and I thank you for your comments and expertise.