Minimalism and Modernism Project (Catalyst)

During the Christmas holidays we have been given some researches to do on :
Modernism, Minimalism, Abstract, Digital and Conceptual.
I chose to focus on Modernism and Minimalism, which are luckily my favourite art/architecture/design movements.

On the first day after the break we've been to the V&A museum. I've been looking at some modernist and minimalist design. I went to the Architecture department (I found it amazing, with lots of complex and beautiful models) and found out that modernism rhymes with sustainability.
I discovered the BedZED complex in Croydon, London. It gave me the idea to work on a sustainable, simple, prefab house.

 

BedZED model at the V&A architecture department. 

BedZED in real life 

Beddington Zero Energy Development (BedZED) is an environmentally friendly housing development in Hackbridge,London, England. It is in the London Borough of Sutton, about 2 miles (3 km) east of the town of Sutton itself. It was designed by the architect Bill Dunster to support a more sustainable lifestyle. The project was shortlisted for the Stirling Prize in 2003.

                                                                                       The project is designed to use only energy from renewable sources generated on site. The houses face south to take advantage of solar gain, are triple glazed, and have high thermal insulation. Building materials were selected from renewable or recycled sources within 35 miles (56 km) of the site, to minimize the energy required for transportation.

Then I've done some researches on Minimalist painters and found the work of two amazings painters : 

Their paintings really looked like floor plans to me. So I decided to create some on my sketchbook. I selected one collage to be my house's actual floor plan. 

Final researches on Minimalism and Sustainability on sketchbook : 

I decided to build the house in California. I went to Los Angeles two years ago and Palos Verdes is for the moment my all time favourite place, the view is absolutely breath taking. If I had the chance one day to build a house I would choose this location. It is between sea and mountains and perfect for a sustainable house. 

I've been playing around with Sketch up to illustrate my final idea. 

Then to finish the project I've made a model with cardboard, clear plastic and fake grass/trees. It is the first 'real' architecture model I've done and I am pretty happy with the result. It was complicated to make the round part with the bay window so if I would have had more time I would have concentrate more on that, maybe use other materials, easier to twist. 

I had so much pleasure working on this project. It is my favourite of this year so far. I was glad to learn as much as possible on minimalism and sustainable architectures (it is what truly passionates me in this field) and it strengthened me with my idea of the kind of architect I would like to become.