Exampler - C House by Donovan Hill Architects

Donovan Hill Architecture was established in 1992 by Brian Donovan and Timothy Hill which was based in Brisbane (Donovan Hill, 2007). C House by Donovan Hill was known internationally for its originality and conceptual complexity. 



Environmental Filter
The C House is situated on a slope located in Coorparoo, Queensland, Australia, making the natural landscape a vital factor to the design on the house (Donovan Hill, 2010). Due to the complexity and sophistication of the design and the brief, it allowed Donovan and Hill to expand conceptions and experiment with the Queensland subtropical climates. The house has maximum airflow and ventilation due to its optimal use of materials and interior outdoor spaces (Donovan Hill, 2010). This opening captures changing views throughout the day and the light breezes which flow up the site.

Container for Human Activities
The C House is a three story house, which uses overlapping sub sites. It contains sixteen flights of stairs which creates an up-and-down journey around the house. The stairways lead to and around chambers, corridors, courtyards, nooks, pools, gardens, pergolas and balconies. There are private rooms gathered around, under and above the public space of the side; which is the outdoor room shown above (Dedece, 2007). The main part of the house is an atrium-like space which has dual functions; a lobby or an outdoor entertaining/living area (Dedece, 2007).

Delightful Experience
Again, like the Highgate Hill Residence, the materials used in the C House captures a unique sensory experience. The primary materials used to construct the house are fine grain concrete, fine timbers, metal, glass and ceramic tiles (Donovan Hill, 2010). These materials are layered amongst each other to elaborate the experience. As the building is on a slope, each room enables access to a great view of the courtyard.

Reference
De de ce (2007) C House. Retrieved March 25, 2011 from http://www.dedece.com/projects/C-House/495
Donovan Hill (2006) Donovan Hill Profile. Retrieved March 25, 2011 from http://www.slq.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/55599/Donovan_Hill_Profile.pdf
Donovan Hill (2010) Donovan Hill, C House. Retrieved March 26, 2011 from http://www.donovanhill.com.au/mainmenu.htm