Edward Hooper - "Nighthawks" (1942)

"a tumultuous couples escape from the outside world, looking through the callous glass"

The Site

The chosen site is the hillsides of Hollywood. I feel this is relevant to my narrative as Hollywood is home to the worlds most instrusive media, thus reflecting the notion of "the outside world looking in".

Poche` Drawings

First & Ground Floor Plan

Section

In my design I have focused on the use of glass and the implications of light and shadow. Glass has been used to create an uneasy atmosphere, to evoke the feeling of being watched. This can be seen in the entry tunnel, consisting of large glass openings with thin framing walls. This inspires a feeling of being stalked as you walk through, being fully exposed by the glass and then slightly sheltered by the walls. This feeling is enhanced by the shadows cast, providing for a suspenseful entry into the house. As the occupants make the transition from the tunnel into the house, this feeling of being watched reaches a climax, with an open plan design. This space is not interrupted by restricting walls or dividing spaces instead consists of glass walls and floor to ceiling windows. Therefore the occupants are deprived of any sense of security and privacy, and are fully visible to the “outside world looking in”. I have implicitly implied the notion of escape, using the tube staircase which protrudes through the floor. Placed in the center of the room, it achieves a sense of movement, as the occupants are forced to circulate around it when inhabiting the space – giving the building an almost rhythmic quality. Furthermore there are several smaller spaces such as the balcony and rooftop terrace, which are dead-end almost pointless spaces; failing to unite with the reminder of the design. This is intentional and meaningful when reinforcing the idea of trying to escape but being trapped. The level of exposure and uneasiness in the first floor is contrasted to the private and very enclosed space of the ground floor. The tube staircase accentuates the transition between the two, being semi-private almost reconciling the conflicting spaces. It is in this private space that the “tumultuous couple” find their escape and peace with each other, which is reflected through the architecture. Thus my design follows the nature of a narrative, with an introduction, climax and conclusion.

Axonometrics

Model