Saturday, May 24, 2008

Breezeway Connector


Per each threshold of sequence of space, I have proposed to have an extended connector piece that will function for a variety of well-being purposes. First, I hope to have this connector piece feel like a breezeway, where fresh air & plant life landscaping will relax tensions from the anxieties of the adoption field. Second, such introductions and opportunities of fresh air & landscaping will improve indoor air quality. In conjunction, designed use of air flow and landscaping can help relax tensions & anxieties by improved air quality, promoting better moods with a healthy atmosphere.

For materials and code, impervious surfaces are required per the Animal Welfare Act. Because this area has the potential to be either a "sealed" interior space or an "open" interior space, I wonder what my options are:

If the breezeway is interior, than I must have impervious surfaces. I have researched either concrete or porcelain tiles to be the best of choice. Porcelain and ceramic are essentially the same thing, porcelain being of commercial ratings and performance. Concrete is concrete, but fun applications are available to enhance appearance and feel. Whatever the choice of surface, radiant floor heating will be applied for comfort and sanitation (fluids will dry up, preventing unwanted transmission of disease & etc). Large operable windows can help bring the outdoors in, achieving the hopes of an open breezeway, as expressed below.

If the breezeway is an open breezeway to the outdoors, than I wonder if the materials can be porous? This would make logical sense since natural materials, such as limestone or brick, absorb water and nutrients. Cleaning can be achieved through pressure washing, and also, the benefit of sun exposure to limestone is a natural disinfectant--perfect! Having an open breezeway would require thought to inconvenient weather conditions, such as precipitation--which can be moderately controlled with an overhead roof and radiant floor heating. Grates will also have to be incorporated to prevent puddling. Also, threshold transitions from this open breezeway to "sealed" interiors (cat atrium or lobby) can create drafts if not cohesively planned/designed. Drafts kill. Although the emotion and feel of an open breezeway would be more desirable, practicality may not be in favour...

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