The Process Behind a Complex Roof Geometry
Technical, design
The Process Behind a Complex Roof Geometry
The Schematic Roof Plan
The Southern Pines Residence design was informed by the environment that the house resides in. We honed in on three distinct aspects of the dense pine trees that make up this building site: ground, movement, and canopy.
The roof was a mediator between the thick mat of pine needles on the ground, and the high canopy of pine trees above. The layout of the home meanders, drawing out an experience of movement through spaces and views akin to moving through the tall pine trees. The thick sculpted roof shapes interior spaces and floods the home with filtered light through the high canopy of the pine trees.
The Process Unfolded
The roof defines the boundaries of the house. Extending beyond the exterior walls and splaying outward, it becomes a sculpted plane resting upon the living spaces. The process of planning out the construction for the roof became a thoughtful coordination with the structural engineer and construction requirements while still preserving the design intent. Following is a detailed look at the design process for solving the technical aspects of this unique roof structure.
Preserving Design Intent
This roof plan schematic helps us keep track of the critical construction lines and point elevations of the irregular roof as they make their way around the building and serves as a road map for understanding how the undulating soffit planes behave and interact with one another at critical junctures like corners and lightwells. The section profile diagrams catalog the changes in the eave as it morphs throughout the project, stretching and lifting to curate the spatial experience.
The different geometries are coordinated with the structural design through detailed cutaway sections and 3D models to create the custom armature that will support the multifaceted ceiling plane. Modeling it through 3D software enabled us to produce additional imagery for consultant coordination and ensure the roof design would be feasible.
The Final Form
An early render provides insight into what the custom-built roof will look like in the final built form. The negotiation between the horizontal nature of the home and the verticality of the pines is clearly depicted.
Learn more about the White Residence here.
