Objective/Narrative/Ranking

Narrative

John is the current resident of the Smith House located in Darien, Connecticut, built by Architect Richard Meier. John's needs differ from the original owner's so an architectural intervention is requested by John. John wants the original integrity of the house to be preserved, but also wants the new duplex arrangement to have it's own flair. John has requested a duplex arrangement with a master bedroom, master bath, an exercise room, and a family room. In addition, John is a dedicated fisherman, and would like his love of fish to be reflected in his new addition. John has also requested an outside deck area which faces toward his boat and the sea.

John is, first and foremost, a fisherman. However, John is also a family man, and loves his wife and four children. John has interest in health and wellness. He also requests an exercise room so he can feel less guilty about the beer belly he has developed over the years. He has ranked the rooms from most important to least important.

Most Important

Family Room

Deck

Exercise Room

Master Bedroom

Least Important

Systems To Connect To

Perhaps the stairs on the ground level could continue into a hallway which leads into the new duplex, on the side of the structure. Then, the new deck could be in front of the chimney, so one could look through the glass wall between the deck and the interior, as well as the sea.

Existing system:

1)    Use the column structure support continued into the new addition.

2)    Use the glass to get a view of the water.

3)    Have a connection between the original circulation system and the new circulation system.

Meta Idea

Make the Family Room look like a fish, and a curtain wall that creates the illusion of movement to look like a fish swimming.

Conceptual Ideas