Roatan House
Marcel Erminy Studio_106_Spring 2006 Texas A&M University College of Architecture
introduction/Conceptual vacation home designed for a family of four: two adults, and two young children. The home is located on the Caribbean island of Roatan, Honduras. Roatan House is built entirely of six used shipping containers. The main design goal was to provide every room with an ocean view in order to naturally ventilate each room as well as take advantage of the scenic ocean views. Other objectives were to provide space for the children to grow, therefore a detached wing that currently acts as a study and living unit, but has the possibility to be converted to a third bedroom, can be found across an open air breezeway.
procession/In order to create a unique sense of place, and take advantage of the ocean front views, formal procession became a major part of the design process. As one approaches the house by car, the natural tropical vegetation will not allow the user to see the ocean. Suddenly, as the driveway turns towards the house the user is given a view of the ocean through the breezeway, across the pool, and out to the horizon. Just as suddenly as this view appears, however, it’s gone. The driveway turns and the main ocean view is hidden behind the house until the user arrives at the parking spot.
circulation/Every interior living space has curtain walls that can be opened up to allow free movement between the interior and exterior; while all bedrooms have curtain windows that can be opened up to allow wind in. This creates a situation where all entrance and exiting is done through living spaces, which helps create a more family suitable environment.
program/Roatan House pushes several circulation functions to the exterior because of the hospitable island weather. Stairs to the top floor (main bedroom) are found in the first courtyard outside a sliding 5′ door off the main living space. A second courtyard is tucked in between the studio and secondary living space, once again reachable by a 5′ sliding door. The open-air breezeway connects the main living space with the secondary living space and studio/third bedroom. Among the other outdoor living spaces, there is a balcony off the main bedroom and a patio area off the main living space. All furniture in the house is light, weather resistant, and doubles as outdoor furniture.
