ONE HUNDRED COLUMNS

2024 Fall

Advisor: Jesus Vassallo

Partner: Guangyu Xu

Project Type: Academic


Inspired by the House of Chau Doc by NISHIZAWAARCHITECTS, the project approaches a common residential site in Houston with a vernacular approach, shedding the inhabitants with a series of sloped roof pieces. The roof pieces are supported by 4x4 timber columns that form a tight grid, exposing the wood in the interior. Drawing from the prevalent timber construction methods in the United States, the design adopts a post-and-beam system as a reinterpretation of the conventional tilt-up approach. The house is elevated three feet above ground on a foundation of ground screws, addressing Houston’s susceptibility to flooding. A series of rooms are centered around a central courtyard that acts as a climate mediator. Blending between the indoor and outdoor, the central courtyard opens up to allow for ventilation during the summertime and insulates itself to provide a sunroom when the weather gets cold. By integrating these adaptive features, the house not only responds to climatic conditions but also offers an alternative living experience rooted in local construction traditions.






























YAO XIAO

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INFO

Yao Xiao is currently a graduate student studying architecture. This website serves as an archive of work and his relating interests.

EDUCATION

  • Rice University, M.Arch (currently enrolled)
  • Univeristy of Virginia, Bachelor of Science in Architecture, Minor in Urban & Environmental Planning




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