The farmhouse
This project was part of the larger housing module in Falmouth's architecture program, exploring alternative sustainable and high quality housing options, including methods such as co housing. As such, the project requirements included that the house must be highly sustainable and include some sort of food source. The house must accommodate 6 people, and provide some sort of accommodation for local non-human residents. The homes were arranged in a development with the housing designs of other students, sharing some resources including farm fields while preserving views across the landscape.
The site
The site was a field on the outskirts of Falmouth, Cornwall, between Falmouth and the neighboring town of Penryn. While the site is still currently farmed, it is being encroached upon by sprawl from Falmouth. The larger site is a triangle between the A39, the railway, and an adjoining property, with the tip of the triangle being at the Ponsharden roundabout between the Penryn Bypass and Falmouth Road carrying the A39 and B3229. As the site is on a hill, it has great views across the Penryn River to Flushing, part of the Cornwall AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty). The parcel I was assigned to design my house was on the top of the hill directly adjacent to the bridge over the railway line, providing clear views and direct access.
At the time of the project there was a pending planning application for development of this site and several adjoining properties. However, said planning application is for a typical modern British housing estate and as such is of relatively low quality.
Topographical and sensory context
Solar path diagram
Food Production: The System.
I was inspired by the use of to use an aquaponics system, a symbiotic form ofpolyculture, where fishwaste provides nutrients for plants.
Aquaponics systems consist of a pond for the fish to live in, plants growing in water management systems and filters to remove waste material. Additional space is needed to handle the vegetables and fish produced for consumption and sale.
In addition to the fish pond and growing spaces, the building has a green roof to support the local insect population.
Room and area schedule
In response to the requirement for the house to support 6 people, I decided that it would be intended for an extended family - parents, children, and grandparents. With that many people in the house enough space would need to be provided so that everyone can keep their space from each other. In addition, the grandparents would need a level living area and the parents need to be able to keep an eye on their children.
Thus:
Two bedrooms
two en suites
At least one other bathroom and onetoilet
large kitchen
large sub dividable living area
lift
stairs
workspace for the fish farm
fish pond
settling basin
biofilter
plant space
