The Thermal Machine

Brief

Thermal comfort dwelling for sisters, Sonja and Santana Cruz in Phoenix, Arizona.

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Concept

Santana and Sonja Cruz are polar opposite sisters with different interest, personalities, and thermal comforts. The aim was to design a dwelling customized for the two personas and their thermal comfort.

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Process

Site Assessment of the climate, wind, sun, and water was necessary in order to use the environment to successfully decide on a design. Using materials such as limestone, to act as a thermal mass that would keep the heat out during the day and using a system of 4 swiveled doors positioned to catch the winds as a strategy to flush out the heat.

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Group: Gianell Gonzalez, Autumn Mullin