Excerpt: Arc House by MB Architecture is a residence featuring an arched structure inspired by an airplane hangar with an uninterrupted interior space. This technology was adopted as a probable solution for the need for a voluminous and well-lit living space. The idea was to create a large column-less, self-supporting canopy that enclosed all the public spaces of the house in a single large room.
Project Description
[Text as submitted by architect] In one of the initial meetings with their clients, the designers shared a picture of a small airplane hangar showing an uninterrupted interior space under an arched structure. They suggested this technology as a probable solution for their need for a voluminous and well-lit living space. They had several reasons to think this would be the right choice. Firstly, the corrugated galvanized steel technology of this building system is very cost effective. And secondly, they were all seduced by the idea of a large column-less self-supporting canopy that enclosed all the public spaces of the house in a single large room.
Other reasons reinforced the designers’ suggestion. The landscape of the East End, where the property is located, is filled with ‘quonset-hut’ green houses. At the same time, there are numerous examples of experiments in architecture, like the ‘pinwheel house’ by Peter Blake or the Motherwell house & studio by Pierre Chareau. They were compelled, therefore, to explore more non-conventional yet efficient ways to create a single family home.
The site itself is nearly three acres and is surrounded by a tall canopy of pine trees. This gave the designers a natural spatial boundary that would allow the living spaces to be open and require less privacy. They countered the flatness of the site by creating a sunken courtyard and driveway. These allowed them to transform the lower level into a well-lit and habitable space. At the same time, they created a way for cool air from the lower level to be pushed up, through a large stairwell, and up into the arched living space -maintaining a moderate temperature.
One of their design challenges was to find a scale for the arch that would transform it from an industrial component into an intimate space. At a radius of 39’ with a peak ceiling height of 16’, they felt the building would be small enough to feel comfortable and yet have a sense of largeness associated with its uninterrupted ceiling curve. They made sure that the arch would visibly meet the floor on the inside and hover over the grade on the outside turning into a lighter element.
The arch contains the living, dining and kitchen areas in an open plan. A staircase, the kitchen counter and other low-height components define the space within it. The entry canopy to the arch and a few other components within it are at a height of 7’, creating a touchable lower plane within the larger structure.
To allow the client to be able to increase the number of bedrooms, the designers decided to house them in a flat roofed section, in the rear, made of structural insulated panels; the bedrooms are accessed through a connecting bridge. The layout is simple and efficient and can easily accommodate horizontal additions.
Geothermal and high-efficiency HVAC, glazing u-values down to .12, SIP paneling, and a green roof contribute to the lowering of energy costs.
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