J-House, AEDS Architectural Design

Project: J-House

Architect(s): AEDS Architects

Year: 2011-Present

Location: New Orleans, LA

This project was approached as limitless and as an opportunity to study the possibilities, as opposed to restrictions. It was designed to be ten feet of the ground  in a restricted lot size. The lifting of the structure was a practical measure. Due to New Orleans frequent flooding, this house would be ineffective.

This  project still under construction features two 10x20x80 feet tubes. Each tube is rotated 90 degrees from one end to the other. The  allows for structural support with a minimum support from the foundation. The twisting and combination of tubes generates a space under the house that allows for views through the site. On the roof level the twisting generates a diagonal skylight.

While this house was generated to explore possibilities and innovative techniques of design it is also rooted in the culture of New Orleans. The J‐House was inspired by the shot‐gun house typically seen in a New Orleans home.

The house is made out of steel structure that is prefabricated and assembled on site. The exterior skin composed of charred cedar planks.

I chose this house because it exemplified the dynamism seen in my own model. Although it only consist of two intersecting bars, where mine has six, it still portrays what I was envisioning for the interior of my home. The J-house is not constructed of linear bars that would create a static structure, but of twisting and distorted bars much like mine. It also sits a top the ground above a void which is also similar to my modeled ground.

Overall I think this is a fantastic project that compromises aesthetic and design with functionality in New Orleans.