Information

Design Features of the Caylan Boyse Foundation House

An important component of Caylan Boyse Foundation House is to demonstrate sustainable design, construction and operation. Climate change, depletion of resources and increasing pollution have cause not only extinction of species but affecting the health of all inhabitants on this planet. This house will tread softly on the planet (ecological footprint), with minimal site disturbances by respecting the site ecology, geography, climate and neighbourhood. Building materials are selected for low embodied energy and low embodied pollution.

The house uses minimal energy for heating, cooling, ventilation, lighting and power. Practical solar space and water heating is incorporated into the design. This house will brings together the technologies that must be used in all buildings as we approach the end of the fossil fuel age.

It will be environmentally sustainable, which means using natural materials, energy efficient, designed for daylighting and fits the site in a sensitive manner (not destructive to the site ecology).

Universal Design

Caylan Boyse Foundation House will be designed with the following architectural features. The design must be usable by a wide range of people across the spectrum of ability and age in the widest variety of circumstances without separate or special features.

It will be designed for the diverse occupants and visitors with diverse physical abilities. This concept is called "Universal Design". It goes beyond just accessibility. As a two storey house is desirable an elevator is provided. Motion sensors and voice activated controls for communication, lighting, heating, etc. will make it easy to live in this house.

All materials are selected for appropriate use and be durable with minimal maintenance. This is a non-toxic house with excellent indoor air quality. Some of the requirements include paints will not have any volatile organic compounds (VOC), minimal use of plastics and use of wood and ceramic tile floors. The house will have an excellent mechanical system with super air filtration and fresh air supply to all rooms.

This house will recognise the spiritual nature of the occupant and thus will be designed with "Feng Shui" principles. Orientation, windows, use of materials, water, shapes, colour, mirrors, etc. are strategically and carefully selected for this purpose. This house is designed to allow the many people who offered to help build it so the structure and details of components are simple and well illustrated. Relationship to the site amenities, views, position of the sun and wind are all important features to accommodate in the layout.

The place is cheerful but also places for relaxing, meditation, working, etc.

Principles of Universal Design

1. Equitable Use: The design does not disadvantage or stigmatize any group of users.

2. Flexibility in Use: The design accommodates a wide range of individual preferences and abilities.

3. Simple, Intuitive Use: Use of the design is easy to understand, regardless of the user's experience, knowledge, language skills, or current concentration level.

4. Perceptible Information: The design communicates necessary information effectively to the user, regardless of ambient conditions or the user's sensory abilities.

5. Tolerance of Error: The design minimizes hazards and the adverse consequences of accidental or unintended actions.

6. Low Physical Effort: The design can be used efficiently and comfortably, and with minimum of fatigue.

7. Size and Space for Approach & Use: Appropriate size and space is provided for approach, reach, manipulation, and use, regardless of the user's body size, posture, or mobility.