the texas cantilever by universal joint

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Oct 26, 2012

first image
'the texas cantilever' by universal joint, austin, texas
image © patrick y. wong

'the texas cantilever' by american firm universal joint (jonathan chertok) is a residence for the alumnus of the university of texas school of architecture,
located in austin, texas. the compact interior is 2400 square feet of conditioned space with 800 square feet of covered outdoor area located on the
ground floor with master bedroom porch measuring 200 square foot and two second floor roof decks. the green construction of the structure
is formally singular and cost-efficient which is a gentle addition to the neighborhood with street-level planning and massing.
a steel frame forms the skeleton of both volumes with regularly spaced light-guage studs, wrapped in metal and wood siding.
slender columns help support the protruding floating mass that shelters a parking area, seating area, and a computer-designed
mathematically rooted metal sculpture dubbed the 'iron turtle' which contrasts the orthogonal nature of its host edifice.

the project incorporates 3d computer technologies to design, post-rationalize, document and construct the sculptural 'iron turtle'.
the documentation for this portion of the planning was executed over the course of two evenings - while the main residence was
under construction by the design-builder. the steel tent demonstrates the immediacy possible in the conversion of a digital idea into an artifact.
it is an early example of the design-build firm’s ongoing research into form generation and form modernization for architectural scale constructions.

cantilever defines a covered exterior space underneath
image © atelier wong

view towards the street
image © patrick y. wong

iron turtle detail

living space
image © patrick y. wong

kitchen
image © atelier wong

living room
image © atelier wong

stairwell
image © atelier wong

south roof deck
image © patrick y. wong

north-facing roof deck
image © atelier wong

upstairs living room
image © atelier wong

image © atelier wong

master bedroom
image © patrick y. wong

master bedroom detail
image © patrick y. wong

master porch
image © patrick y. wong

railing detail

primary steel structure

computer modeling of the iron turtle sculpture

modeling of iron turtle

construction of the iron turtle

floor plan / level 1

elevation

elevation

sketch model

project info:

location: brentwood neighborhood austin, texas
designer: universal joint
builder: universal joint general contracting, llc
program: single family residence.
square feet: 2400 interior, 100 covered exterior. 800 roof decks.
photography: atelier wong
civil engineers: prossner and associates
surveyors: holt carson
structural consultants: loc
testing: mla labs
sub-contractors:
modal contracting [metal framing]
k & m ironworks [structural steel]
accent plumbing [plumbing]
austin air conditioning [mechanical]
russell jones [electrical]
diversified thermal [polyisocanurate insulation]
lighthouse solar [solar power fit out]

designboom has received this project from our 'DIY submissions' feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication.
see more project submissions from our readers here

jonathan chertok

10.26.12

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