Donovan Hill

Timothy Hill & Brian Donavan

After much research I managed to find a recent transcript television episode on the ABC called 'In the mind of the Architect', this series feature well known architects talking about questions they felt dear on. one episode feature a few words from Brian Donovan and Timothy Hill the two partners in the Donovan Hill practise. Glimpse's of the transcript shows there design philosophy and in comments such as " The potential of architecture is simply to enable things to happen...... to enhance, not restrict - Timothy Hill", "Pure pleasure through experience - Brian Donovan". It seems in their time the partners are well experienced and through these experience have perceived that to satisfy a client is to take their dreams and turn them into a sensual stimulating environment were there dreams have opened into a reality, that inspires and enhances.

After reading through a well known book i found a strong correlation between Donovan Hill's designs and the writtings of 'A Pattern language, (1977)'. this link shows a distinctive design approach, The 'Design' Page proves this theory by drawing relationships between the book and the 'Cabin Design" design. I believe the same design approach is evident within Donovan Hill's 'C House' design and speculate this as being a design philosophy they have work by within their career. I have attempt to break down there design cycle suggested by the book 'A Pattern Language", into five simple steps, they are as follows.

1. Create a transition space between outside an inside and mark it with a texture. (it is also very common in Donovan Hill's design practise to incorporate nature as much as possible, without aesthetical compromising the design).

2. 'The entrance room, a threshold room that strips you of the outside and prepares you for the entry into the building. (Donovan Hill design practise believes that you should not be thrown directly into the building as it creates a confusion between the concept of the building, being left with the textures and environment outside to the new filtered environment and textures inside).

3. 'Hierarchy of open spaces', importance of the rooms should open up gradually as you progress through the home. (Donovan Hill practise appreciates that this method proportions the house correctly creating comfortable and natural circulation through the home).

4. 'Courtyards which live', courtyards are often dead, use the courtyard as a framing solution to open up views of the house which pulls you to explore them. (Donovan Hill design practise often uses courtyards as a circulation space with as natural transition as possible, 'the courtyard should just be another room of the house and seem a part of the house not a dead bit hanging onto it').

5. Create a garden point, this point is a part in the house were the inhabitants can be reached out and touch by nature. this can be through a link to the outside or in the D House's case a water feature within the house.



I will use these above guide lines to create a home which is comfortably familiar with, yet stimulating and pleasurable to be in. The cabin design must accommodate the architect and enhancing his experience of his activities. The following picture is a deconstructive anaylsis proving that the guidlines from 'A Pattern Language"  can be found in Donovan Hill Designs;



Guidline Site Plan Analysis



Ref:

- Book:  'A Pattern Language', Christopher Alexander, Oxford University Press, 1977

-   ABC, In the Mind of The Architect, Episode three - corrugated dreams, 2000 Australia