Architectural Criticism: Cypress at Byron Bay Designed by Award Winning Haysom Architects - Article Example

One with Nature and yet Different – Cypress at Byron Bay Architecture is a creative art which sublimely merges itself with the line of nature through its creations. Right from ancient time’s architecture is known to have a perfect symmetry with the nature and surroundings Today we are going to discuss Cypress at Byron Bay in Australia, which has recently received many accolades for its creativity and beauty. The architecture is designed by Haysom Architects who have won the prestigious Australian Institute of Architects Award.

The award is bestowed for the following: “This multi residence development is a sensitive creation of a number of individual high quality. Residences within a group title structure on an ecologically restricted footprint. The architects & interior, designers have used a refined & sophisticated selection of contemporary fixtures, finishes & materials to define spaces that stamp quality on the resultant spaces. Attention to detail & scale, a desire for understated elegance & a willingness to explore the levels have achieved a notable solution within a special environment.

Individuality is delivered for each site but in the context of a unified cluster of buildings that form their own landscape form that compliments the greater landscape setting.”1 Let us understand what makes this project so special. Byron Bay is a very scenic location. It has got lovely beaches and people visit the place to admire the natural beauty and stay closer to nature. They come here to find peace with nature and within themselves. It is the most easterly point of Australia. The architectural project we are discussing is barely ten minutes away from the village and the natural beauty.

The designing of the buildings or houses complements nature in a great way. Individually the buildings stand out as private cocoons while collectively they make an impressive small group which is well structured and defined. All the houses are double storeyed structures and each plan is different from other. Each house is complete with a small block which integrates the swimming pool and lawn along with it in the plan. Usually when we see swimming pools associated with the houses it is at one end far away from the building.

Here it is beautifully woven into the structure. The houses although double storeyed do not bog you down with their structures. Usually with a plan as large as this one, the structure becomes annoyingly large and overwhelms the person visiting it. However the structure at cypress is pleasantly welcoming. That is because of the most striking aspect of the structure is its openness. The large gallery windows allow the friendly light to come in and lets you sync with the beautiful surroundings and yet it maintains the necessary distance from the surroundings to not to let anything invade your privacy.

All the domains have different plans and yet all the domains are connected with the nature and scenic beauty in the same way. This connection is like a common thread across the houses that are built. Perhaps the best feature about these structures is the light and ventilation sourcing. It is not very uncommon for an architect to adorn the structure he creates with ample artificial light sources. Also structures as huge as these are very commonly striving for fresh air due to their structuring.

However Cypress is a sound exception to the rule. The beauty of gallery windows is converted into utility here. As this is the most easterly point of Australia the rays of sun touch here first. Besides that one would come to this area for its natural surroundings. Considering that the residences have to be one with nature. The houses blend with the surroundings because of their large windows and open doors. The most beautiful part of the structure is however the merging of inner and outer spaces.

The steps that get you into the lawn, the connecting pavements of the swimming pool, the open dining space facing the central lawn all beautifully blend the inner and outer spaces of the houses. It gives a ‘one’ feeling to the entire structure and yet one can distinguish the inner and outer spaces from each other. This blending of lines is very fine in these structures. The brightly sunlit rooms also allow natural ventilation to flow through the houses. The cool sea breezes could be experienced sitting in the sit-out areas.

Each villa is unique and can be almost said to person specific and yet each one is having this architectural common thread of not standing apart from the nature around but rather being one of it. The houses which are double storeyed are not cluttered structures and hence allow cross ventilation to happen. The incorporation of swimming pools within the buildings helps ward off the heat as they serve to beautify as well as a cooling agent to the buildings. The structure of the entire complex is small and closely knit.

The architects have taken into account the existing trees and vegetation while planning the buildings. This becomes the most striking feature of the complex. It is very easy for an architect to simply clear the grounds and build his or her own ideas. The intelligence of the architects is shown in the fact that they chose to not to do so. They preferred to build the houses around the trees which were already there. This has also helped in blending of the complex with the nature. And yet all the houses offer privacy, style and elegance.

Having an open house does not mean that an individual has to compromise on establishing is own small world within the walls. The double storeyed construction is meant for creating this small space for yourself and your loved ones. To put it in words of Ed Haysom, What do you like best about being an architect? It is tempting to say what I don't like! However the payoff for me is in two stages of the project. The first is when you first start designing it and you have that first insecurity that the idea may not come, then it does and there is a big rush to get it down on paper.

It's very exciting and if the idea is good enough and you are committed to it you can convince anyone to accept it. The second stage is when you are finished and you go back to the project and you realise that you have created something that people use and in some cases love. It's always nice to do resorts and see people using the dining spaces and the pool and enjoying themselves.2 Now we know that if the design is made with such passion and creativity it is definitely going to make an impact.

Each one of us desires for a house that is home of style, elegance and yet is one with the nature. Cypress at Byron Bay made with such careful consideration of people and nature is the answer to the query. References: 1. http://www.cypressbyron.com.au 2. http://www.centor.com.au 3. http://www.virtualbyron.com 4. Understanding Service-Oriented Architecture - http://msdn.microsoft.com 5. This is how architects can change the world - sustainablecities.dk 6. Basics Landscape Architecture: Urban Design by Tim Waterman and Ed Wall - http://www.archidose.org