My first solo architecture project

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A NOLLISTUDIO/NOLLIMEDIA Production
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#architecture #insta360 #model
00:00 Introduction
00:27 The Site
05:10 Light Study Model
10:15 Next Steps and conclusions

[@DamiLeeArch]

Here is the second part of the video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mmi7fItojNh4pKM

[@PratikDeo]

I am an engineer and I love the process and outcomes. This video was more about the thought process and I just love it to its core! Please take us along the whole ride

[@jonathanlazarte5975]

That's what architecture really is. Love it

[@markedgood]

Agreed. I’m in an unrelated field, but really enjoy following along this creative process. And I really want that 3D rotating camera for my research work.

[@michaelm4550]

I'm an environment artist. Im so shocked at how much overlap there is and how much architectural work I'm already doing. This is fascinating to me

[@bdc20]

Just keep in mind as you work through this project: “No house should ever be on a hill or on anything. It should be of the hill. Belonging to it. Hill and house should live together each the happier for the other.” -Frank Lloyd Wright

[@DamiLeeArch]

On the brow of the hill

[@MassiveJetGrind]

This is some hardcore architecture. I really enjoyed this. Great for students. You're taking us along for the whole ride, right?

[@DamiLeeArch]

Of course, but it will be a long ride 😆

[@MassiveJetGrind]

@@DamiLeeArch I've been to Disney World, Disney Land, Six Flags, Universal Studios, Sea World, a local park called Canobie Lake Park. You make the journey out. You're full of anticipation. After that long wait in line, the thing I hate the most, is when it's a short-ass ride. Let's go, yo!

[@willdriver7542]

@@DamiLeeArch

[@808mode]

@@DamiLeeArch This will make for a great series. I love the cantilever emphasizing the tree house feel. Top of the hill needs a tea room 360 view retreat. Condense all bedrooms, bathrooms and remove useless tubs. Meanwhile enlarge/combine great room, kitchen. Lastly the one thing people don’t even know they want: movable walls. Bonus: a fully finished oversized multifunctional garage - which is the biggest potential that’s lacking in every modern home 😉

[@-..-_]

Ayoo I wanted to study architecture but they say the demand isn't there and pay I wanted to know how your process is going

[@chriscrai]

I think an underground parking garage with a lift to the main house is what everyone, everywhere, wants, but especially on that site. It would have space for guest parking, a sound-space, and a man-cave/she-shed/entertainment den that is capable of hosting events to keep strangers out of the private space above while also serving as a more intimate hangout for close friends. The sound-space would be a theater, studio, sensory deprivation chamber, or any space that benefits from isolating sound energy. Furthermore, there should be 2 access points. The primary lift along with a secret passage.

[@LVQ-so5th]

People who live on this street probably wish they had guest parking, so I agree with this comment. Nobody is going to want to visit if they can't park. Maybe even a car elevator could be incorporated into the design.

[@merlinious01]

Yeah, though constructing and maintaining such a structure is very expensive, and hard to get approval of for a residential structure

[@vell0cet517]

I was thinking the same thing. Even a gondola-type elevator that gave you awesome views on your way up the hill.

[@chriscrai]

@@vell0cet517 love it!

[@cybernetic-ransomware1485]

Nah, usually elevators equal maintenance problems. Dunno how it is in US, in my country for each one you must periodically organize and pay for local supervisions from the office, certified mechanic and keep the whole documentation.

[@robertsarchitecture]

I live and work in the Bay Area, and I can tell you these upslope sites are almost impossible to build on. Not because you can't build the house, it is the parking that is impossible. You will probably need two parking spaces on site set back from the street maybe 20'. This will require a retaining wall, and depending on the slope may be 20' plus high. This will cost hundreds of thousands of dollars just to build a retaining wall for parking. In the predesign phase make sure you design parking and retaining wall. Then hire a structural engineer that will tell you how much it will cost to build. You may be looking at half a million dollars or more to build two parking spots. This cost is usually a deal breaker for clients. Best to put this on the table prior to designing the project. Also, California has crazy planning review requirements. Neighbors can delay projects for months or years. Make sure you get an hourly fee for planning review, and not a lump sum. Otherwise you will lose money as the project stretches on, and you need to do multiple planning reviews. I've had to learn that the hard way.

[@willbarron8583]

As a 2nd year student, I'm super excited to see this project. You are in a very unique position to take the KZbin community through the design and construction process can't wait for the rest of this build 🤘🏻

[@resurgam_jsc]

Agree! One of the few channels that do it at this level, and very easy to watch!

[@donoryan]

We’re still waiting right?

[@willbarron8583]

@@donoryan I think so

[@jorgecanalesbarrera7090]

That's quite a challenging project. Because of the slope, the foundation work is going to be very intense and costly, especially in seismic California. You're a smart architect Dani. I'm sure you work it out ✌️

[@KingMalaxis]

Great video! Also to answer the question, I feel like it's Time. Everyone wants it but nobody truly has time. Speaking from experience as an architecture student and new father, time is a resource I feel that I never truly have in my life. As far as how it could translate in your project, I can imagine a sundial being a major inspiration for the project.

[@DamiLeeArch]

🙃

[@SapioiT]

@@DamiLeeArch If that's true, the ideas I wrote in a different comment are a lot more likely and useful, for this project. Because it would give the sensation of controlling the time, to a degree.

[@writerconsidered]

Are you trying to send her into an existential crisis? And then all you come up with is a sundial? That's like coming up with mother earth feeding our ecosystem so how about a bird feeder?

[@KingMalaxis]

​@@writerconsidered she liked it so your comment is irrelevant

[@gra_am]

This was my first thought as well.

[@deanthompson4381]

Dami, All I can say is, Good Luck! The building permits on this site are going to be a very long, drawn-out process. If the neighbor has already asked you and the owner to move the car, on day one, best wishes on getting crews on site. Many negatives, the view is great, but the owner better have very deep pockets.

[@DamiLeeArch]

That’s what I’ve been told as well, although I have found the planners in Orinda to be very helpful so far. Fingers crossed, but we are prepared to play the long game 😁

[@deivclayton]

@@DamiLeeArch, definitely sounds like the somewhat flatter middle area is right. The WUI compliance on this site will be a big factor as well. For staging the construction, I almost wonder if prefab modular or maybe even CLT panels might help, but that road is pretty narrow, so placing that large a crane might be tricky. So, many questions and possible solutions. I'm excited to see where you go with this project! I enjoy steep site projects as they have some of the most thrilling logistical challenges for us architects to solve.

[@KasparasPra]

I'm from EU, so maybe its different, but neighbors CANT do almost anything to stop it, after this plot in city plans was decided for residential housing, surely building regulations should be fulfilled in any case.

[@leeschumacher8285]

@@KasparasPra oh boy. This is California. They’ll do anything to tie this up in process, legal battles and straight up harassment to stop new housing. And, frankly, this is a terrible place to build. The views ok, but nothing special. The location is inconvenient and the building process is going to be a nightmare. I’d be running the other direction from this project - it may take a decade to finish 😢

[@bjornelenfors2039]

@@leeschumacher8285 As long as the customer keeps paying... :)

[@DavidBrant]

i can see you brimming with excitement on this project! Thanks for showing us! I want a bat cave / manor 😅. Entrance concealed into the foot of the hill from the road; elevator system from ground level garage space up to the top wide open vista living space with bladerunneresque long windows, that dim to taste, classic grecian pillars, marble flooring, basement pool and cosy cinema, den and bar. Damn. ❤

[@kebrongurara1612]

That's exactly what I said! The steeped slope would be perfect for it

[@Marc_Miller]

All this. Yes.

[@123krill]

I really should read the comments before I post :) You could even add a fireman-pole to get down in a hurry/emergency/fun way.

[@jeremiahbell6129]

This was going to be my response. Glad I checked the comments and saw that someone else was on board.

[@disposabull]

You want some hanging gardens to go with Ionic columns, a formal Italian garden on the flat hilltop with an outdoor BBQ & Pizza oven. The view over the hills should be framed with columns. Lake Como in Italy has been the hillside retreat of European royalty for over a thousand years, some really nice homes & gardens built into steep hills.

[@HomesteadForALiving]

As a homestead designer, I love steep slopes! The challenges they present, the natural beauty, and the way they make a small space seem huge.

[@Nereus00]

And the so many ways you can destroy nature and create lose soil and risk of sliding terrain... So good i guess. Fucked up architects shit

[@HomesteadForALiving]

@@Nereus00 If properly executed sliding and erosion is not an issue. I wouldn’t build on more of a 30 degree slope myself, but they’ve been farming and living on the sides of mountains in many Asian regions for millennia.

[@mytuberforyou]

@@HomesteadForALiving don't forget Mesa Verde.

[@OzzyWonder]

I'm currently studying architecture and have been given a project to design a building on a sloped landscape, so this was incredibly interesting! I'm very excited to see how this develops, especially regarding substructure and materiality. Thanks for all your amazing content Dami and congratulations on starting your new business!

[@DamiLeeArch]

Good luck on your project! Sloped sites are fun.

[@nutsbutdum]

At 8:15 I was screaming "Why not both?"😂 If you can build two volumes(of course it depends of the client's budget), one on top of the hill which gets sunlight during the winter, and another volume right beneath it(connected to the one above), receded into the hill for an added cooling effect because of the hot period you describe at 3:31

[@Biomirth]

Yeah they have great cooling potential with the slope (cave effect).

[@Benju23]

I had a dream of becoming an architect, but I wasn't able to achieve it due to some constraints. I'm now studying computer engineering, despite studying a completely different degree from what I was planning to take, I am still thankful of what I took. I'm sharing this because even though I'm in a completely different field on architecture, because of your videos, I still feel connected to it, somehow. I love watching your videos because it surely takes back the drive that had when I was planning on taking architecture, the only difference is that now I'm on a different field. Love your videos!

[@DamiLeeArch]

Sometimes being in architecture from the outside is better than being in it. 😁

[@WhirledPublishing]

@@DamiLeeArch I've been on the outside for decades but have created the most awesome designs that I love - and I appreciate the brilliance of other designers

[@zombi1304]

*lucky for you because you didn't achieve it, we like to do it, we are proud to do it, but sometimes in our hearts and minds we really ask why, but still love it.....once you enter the world of architecture, every second as long as you breathe you will be haunted and bound forever like a curse, I have children and I will not suggest and direct them to one day read the architectural spell book that binds them to become architects, but if they choose it for themselves what can I do*😂😂😂😂

[@WhirledPublishing]

Like most professions, the mental, emotional and physical torture is real - whether it's a doctor or a nurse, a pharmacist or professor, a politician or a priest or preacher or teacher, or lawyer or judge or laborer or cashier or bank teller or bus driver or dentist or office worker or government employee or waitress or flight attendant ... or receptionist or party planner or dentist or a long-distance trucker ... working for a non-profit ... or trying to make a living as a writer or as a musician or as an artist ... or plumber or electrician or house painter ... the agony is excruciating. Almost every profession drives the workers to the brink of insanity, to the point of suicide and worse ... It's why the homicide rates are so high ... it's why suicide rates are so high ... it's why injuries on the job are so high ...

[@LVQ-so5th]

I wanted to be an architect as a child but life somehow took me in a different direction. But I still love architecture and these videos help me experience and learn about it. Another way I was able to experience it was by becoming a client. Yes, it's a luxury, but all great architects had clients who commissioned their work. Sometimes the story of the clients is as interesting as the architecture itself.

[@1975KyleDavid]

I can't imagine building on such a steep pitch. Good luck with your project!

[@iSpike]

GO "IN" for so many reasons building a spectacular person-made CAVE HOUSE would best suited for this mini mountain site. Congrats Dami on scoring this special client and Congrats to the Client for scoring one of the "Worlds best up & coming innovative Architects". I wish you both well with the project and look forward to witnessing an award winning design & build. Cheers from a small country town (population 9 people) in outback country Western Australia

[@not_relevant]

This is really cool. With your announcement I thought your company was going to be just another youtube content company, but seeing all this makes me belive not. Keep up the great work.

[@tracyalan7201]

This is the first time I encountered the channel and while not an engineer or architect, I was fascinated at that thought and work effort approaching this project. I'm impressed with taking the viewer along to see it unfold, the considerations, variables and technology being used. It will be interesting to see it developed and actually built. Good luck and I will be watching as it goes on.

[@SungKim-py6ji]

Really enjoy your videos, very informative. Hmm underground garage street level with an elevator to the upper levels. Wine cellar followed by two level stacked house on top with house partially buried into the hill. Additional ight brought in from the top of the hill via shafts and fiber optic cables. Rooftop or hilltop garden with more views. Good luck because whatever you build on this site will be challenging.

[@kunikopanda]

This was a wonderful view about your thought and design processes. I will be sure to share this with my students. Their final project will also include a steep slope. Almost everyone wants to awake within a beautiful forest and see Bambi🦌. Essentially, the more the building helps the client connect with nature, the better. Many of us are very disconnected and often take expensive vacations to do so🌄.

[@joshuawiersma6551]

This is incredible! I’m a 2nd year architecture student and this is the first real look into the process I’ve seen from a content creator. This really makes me excited to continue pursuing architecture and I’m looking forward to seeing the rest!

[@KeithLomonico]

Great video and reminder of the entire design-construction-getting paid process. As an Architect with a full time job and running my own company (which is ever so slowly growing) that the dream can become reality! Thanks for the reminder.

[@TheCrimsonLupus]

I like the way you are trying to use that natural space, rather than the usual; flatten and demolish approach. Also, using the model with flashlight to mimic the sun pathing is a great simple idea, it gets away from constantly using CG to simulate it.

[@marcusperry9481]

I love seeing all the detailed nuance that goes into planning something like this. Awesome video per usual; excited to see the future behind this project!

[@DamiLeeArch]

Thanks so much!

[@aminakribi3409]

All I hope for is that you take us along the entire ride (projetct) ! Thank you so much for the content you're putting here, you are inspiring so many people; you made me rediscover architecture all over again !

[@david.e.h.]

I work in the tradeshow industry, and i really enjoy your content. I love your over the horizon perspective when looking at a situation, what you want, what you have and how to make the best outcome from the situation using your experience. Great content!

[@kaglichev]

This is awesome!! Currently an arch student and seeing the things were taught applied is next level. Please keep updates on this project if the client is okay with it!!

[@ytuser13082011]

Wow, this is actually fascinating! I work in IT and I also have very complicated and multi-level cases to wrap my head around, so I really love concepts you are describing. Such a refresh!

[@nerd26373]

It's amazing to see what you always have in store for us. We hope you're doing well. God bless you.

[@johngatewood2560]

I live in Oakland, and don't know the exact address of this site but I have rough idea where it is in Orinda. All I gotta say is, good luck with the appeals and the ensuing lawsuits when you and the owner try to get a structure on this steep slope "permitted." That downslope neighbor who's driveway you parked in? They'll be filing appeals every step of the permitting process. And if their appeals are declined, they will sue. I guarantee it. There is no way they are going to sit by while the very steep slope directly above their property is (they'll say) being destabilized by construction. And if you go for a major variance to build a larger structure within the "ridgeway overlay area," those neighbors will be filing appeals and if those are rejected, they'll sue too. It's smart you're getting incremental payments throughout the process. This project will drag on for years and years through the permitting and appeals process and then the ensuing lawsuits before ground is even broken. This is the SF Bay Area. Stymying housing construction through the abuse of the appeals process, CEQA and lawsuits is what we do. Just wanted to give you fair warning of the sh!t storm you are walking into.

[@johngatewood2560]

I would add one more thing - If I were the land owner I would ask your first proposal to be the biggest, craziest, most outlandish house you could possibly imagine. Only because no matter what you propose, it will be rejected by the neighbors so you may as well go big so you have something to negotiate away to get down to the project you and the land owner wanted in the first place. I suggest a six car garage tunneled into the hillside along the street frontage with a funicular from street level to the flat area on the ridge line. Then propose a tower in the ridgeway overlay area. In other words start with a design you KNOW they're gonna hate so you can get negotiate to the design you wanted to build anyway.

[@afroceltduck]

I love how you have all this technology to use, but the best way to simulate the sun on your model is just a good old flashlight. This being California, I hope you're also thinking about ways to decrease risk from wildfire.

[@galas455]

Nice to see you again Demi, I must say . . . you are very thorough in your analysis of the build site, thanks for taking us along.

[@user-iz9ix8ru8d]

so happy for you, Dami! I remember first coming across your channel through a review for a MacBook and your perspective as an architect and designer got me hooked. Love your content!

[@Benham_Design]

This project would be perfect for a drone sponsor!

[@tenter8457]

This really takes me back to my cable installation adventures on Whidbey Island. Those coastal hills can be brutal!

[@loqiao833]

As a 5th year graduating Architecture student your videos have so many genius methods and research transitions im so inspired watching these info loaded techniques u did

[@francoisvllnv]

Seeing the site of your project sums up that it's pretty challenging to create and design a building because of the steep hills, but the first thing that pops up in my mind when you present the site is Falling Water by Frank Lloyd Wright. So having the same topography (despite having no bodies of water on the site itself), steep hills, lots of trees, etc., I think using FLW's Falling Water as inspiration or as a concept for the design of the building is the idea that you'll be using, right? :>>

[@DamiLeeArch]

I spent about 4 months over the summer visiting 111 FLW buildings, so no matter what I design, I feel that this guy is always looming over me 😂

[@richardbudai9590]

I think what everyone ones, but only a few has is a living space connected to nature, while still secluded from the outside world. If it even makes sens - hope you get it. I would love to live in a space where there are many and many areas where I feel like I am not even inside, but I would still want the most possible privacy achieving what I just mentioned above. See all the surroundings without being seen. Something like this.

[@eduardm1301]

Im excited to see the progress of this project. Wish you luck Dami

[@heliospear]

Great Video Dami! I would try to pace the buiiding to the southern most corner of the site to avoid the building restrictions. The slope is less steep and the soil/bedrock should be more stable for foundations. The sun exposure would increase, but with good greenery it should be fine and it would extend the view. Trees in the south will provide shade for terraces or balconies. A driveway up the hill is still a challenge. Instead I would build a cable-car over the steepest part of the slope for material transport and access to the site later. And who owns a cable-car? That would be cool?!? So the top of the cable-car would be the entry to the house in the north. It would be on pillars. It would have the kitchen, living- and dining room and a floating more shady balcony facing the east. The southern wing would have an indoor pool connected to a outside pool on the southern terrace covered for shade with PV panels, a gym, storage, technical facilities and a cistern for water supply dug in the ground and the more private area like bedrooms, bathrooms, office etc. The roofs would be green roofs to gain rainwater, insulation and evaporate cooling. Car parking would be at the "valley-station" of the cable-car. Another option would be a covered escalator or driving platform instead, but would probably need more maintenance. Greetings from germany, good luck and all the best for you and your projects!

[@nakistaya]

Thank you so much! This is so inspiring. I'd love to see something like multi leveled (2 storied) house with an inner Japanese-style garden. So, one has beautiful views on a valley, and enclosed garden inside the house (such a lovely neighbor btw )). That's the answer to the question - what no one is doing. I never saw leveled spaces with inner gardens, I guess

[@MichaelJanzen]

I love a challenge, and this project is going to be fun to follow. Quick question... could you do a video on how you made that 3D topographic model? It's so precise - looks laser cut - but I would love to see your process from survey to final product. Thanks!

[@DamiLeeArch]

Yep, it's lasercut MDF

[@mytuberforyou]

There is actually a tool to take geo data and convert to topo maps, a quick seach on KZbin will find you videos on how to take a lake or a mountain and extract the data and convert it to files for laser cutting- the downside is that unless you manually alter the files so they are strips, you end up with a very heavy model and using a lot of material. If you convert to strips you can add oles so you can index one strip to the next with dowels. Fairly time consuming, but otherwise even in Ultralight you've got a 50lb model of the hill

[@schmalzilla1985]

The one thing everyone wants, and nobody has is time. At least you're question reminded me of that riddle.

[@shilla99]

Watching your channel is so entertaining. If I could go back in time and had the ability and talent, I would have loved to have gone into architecture as you have done. You're totally feeding a long lost dream of mine. Keep up the great work! :D

[@princecharon]

This may not be what you're thinking of, but the site looks to me like a good place for a two-or-more story 'hobbit hole' sort of place, and putting more of it underground might help with the heat, as well as looking more natural.

[@HausOfWenzel]

I agree, well planned earth sheltered home near the top would help remediate some of the zoning height/ footprint and neighbour view concerns. While allowing for great views, some improved thermal concerns in summer. What I want ( I know the prompt was everyone) is the ability to have guests without anyone having direct access to my main living quarters, the comment about two structures sounds interesting having internal connections is less of a concern for me. This creates a dynamic of allowing community while allowing privacy.

[@steampunknord]

"something everyone wants but no-one has" It's not exactly something no-one has but if we were to be hyperbolic we could get away with saying no-one has a hobbit hole house in California.

[@kevinnathanson6876]

Being familiar with that location, you will also have to think about fire and fire mitigation. Many of the codes in the Oakland Hills have been updated to address that; I don't know if Orinda also has similar restrictions. I look forward to following this!

[@havek23]

wearing shiny black and walking on slick pavement is the perfect camouflage!

[@bbkintanar]

I love and appreciate your channel so much! Thank you for all that you do and i can't wait to see you keep growing :)

[@gsp0113]

Dami, I'm sure you're familiar with light tubes: Round tubes with a light-gathering aperture that's placed on the roof and a tube with a reflective interior that channels light downward into the house. This might provide an extra margin of natural light if the house is built below the summit. I love that they require zero energy and keep the house connected with the natural environment. (The brands Velux and Solatube come to mind.) Love your intelligence and smiling eyes!

[@bobgrant8540]

Hi Dami - thanks so much for your thought provoking vids. Like you mentioned , the geotech report for this site is critical. In the past, i was a part of a crew designing BC's mountain logging roads. Your video shows trees that indicate ground movement. The slope stability challenge, isn't just load; its maintaining site integrity. Any change to your site - even just cutting a tree will change that slope's soil. Water control during construction and after project completion will make your project work. With climate change on us please consider NOT designing for a 100 year event. Instead go for a 200 year event. Again, i really appreciate your work - Thanks.

[@Je-jx6rn]

I'm just a street vendor and i don't understand any of what you said. Just love watching and listening to you. I mean... How in the world? You are gorgeous.

[@zombi1304]

*I'm an architect from Indonesia, we have several projects on crazier slopes than that which are included in the tectonic and volcanic earthquake prone zone, but other engineers and experts always make our day better, really like your video, I hope you can carried out throughout the design process of this project, so that it becomes a collection of visual literacy for architects & architecture students for how to carry out a good and correct design process that is practical and efficient with the use of technology, oh yeah, the insta 360 camera is one of the good ideas, will be included soon on the list of survey equipment in my office* 😅.....

[@geekanoids]

Great video and very inspiring. Re your question at the end, I would say "more time", everyone would like more time in the day, or indeed be able to control time. I would equate this to more light, so positioning of the building to harness more natural light is key. At the same time, you could further explore the staggered design, but give some sort of window from one building level to the other, with control, so the owner can in fact control light coming in to the lower part of the building.

[@MrHbennink]

What everyone wants, but nobody gets, is a Tower structure; built from the middle part of the lot. It gets the client a 360 view over the hill and the light all throughout the day. I'm certain that's what you were thinking of, Dami! Good luck on the project, I'm excited for the next episode.

[@davebuikema4119]

How many people want a tower? Not me. Too many floors create disconnect. Plus if the client is elderly they will need an elevator

[@psiga]

At 9:53 she talks about the maximum build height. So no sweeping 360 panorama tower -- but I would probably still design for a final half-story right up to the legal 27' limit before the ridgeline, to be able to peek at the valley on the other side of the hill. As close to 360 as possible, then.

[@stevenvtrebus5039]

That is a good idea

[@MrHbennink]

@@davebuikema4119 Well, Dami apparently agrees. Almost all other reactions were awarded a positive emoji

[@Sketchupdave]

I'm a product design aprentice and I find it relaxing listening to you describing your process. Seeing things from a diffrent but at the same time kinda familiar perspective, cozy.

[@alitajik6873]

It’s really impressive to find out the process of this project and the way you treat it and shows the importance of phase 0 and what has been miss in business when client have rush or even don’t understand before see it visually in renders or glancing with design ideas. Good job, hope you share more the details either its about architecture or business plans and scenarios.

[@perseqantonin636]

Something that everyone want but nobody has for me, it will be something related to tree houses

[@TheMotlias]

"because it's in a slightly hilly area" she says while standing on a slope so steep it can be graded for sport climbing 😂

[@DamiLeeArch]

😂😅

[@whaletune]

I like the way you think. I would built into the hillside, using natural thermal properties of the landscape to provide a consistent, uniform temperature for the dwelling. Lowest impact on nature around it; very private. With a "cave"-like thermal purpose, building, and cutting, into the hillside might also provide a better, more substantial foundation too. Some of the house would be built, and then actually re-buried to re-create the natural slope of the landscape. Large glass fronts to openings would still give the sunlight and sounds of nature which the property provides without upsetting it's natural equilibrium. Perhaps even a glass roof at the top to let in more light, maybe even using channeled mirrors and light (we're going Egyptian here) to bring more natural light to the interior at the lower slope. With a little experimentation, one might even create a suffuse lighting for the dwelling using that concept with baffles (physical or silent motor driven) to turn the light on an off during the day. Three car garage built into the hill at the street level below, with an elevator providing access to the home (plus emergency stair well). A solar panel farm at the very top with Tesla battery packs in the house(?). External upkeep would be practically non existent except for decks or other platforms of relaxation extending outside the "portals". I am sure I am trampling on a thousand building codes here. So basically build the dream house, bury it, cleverly light it...think different. Very energy efficient. Also a good shelter for the zombie apocalypse...what does nobody else have? 😺

[@shortuguese]

This is one of my favourite videos that you have posted! I started following you when I came across your video about The Line and haven't stopped watching since. I studied architecture (part1) eventhough decided not to continue, I still LOVE it and watching content like this just brings me so much joy! Thanks. One thing everyone wants, but no-one has, I'm thinking control over weather/ climate...

[@neophoys]

So hear me out: You put one part of the building on top of the hill for the best view, most sun etc. The second part of the building is nestled more towards the middle of the site. Both units are connected via an L-shaped tunnel. You get what nobody has: The best view, lots of sun as well as a super unique building with free real estate. Plus you can do some super cool stuff with exposed bedrock and such. Probably an absolute nightmare to get permits for let alone build the damn thing but it would really stand out! Am I close? ^^

[@WhirledPublishing]

Lots of "tiered design" in Thailand ... gorgeous homes there on steep slopes ...

[@Liz-ws4vr]

I’m currently studying architecture and recently stared working on a project in a similar landscape and this video it’s been really helpful, hope to see the development of the project! Also, out of context but I’m from Bolzano and it’s crazy to hear it mentioned by you, I’ve followed this channel for a while and it’s very inspiring

[@federov100]

Thank you for taking us through your thinking, it was absolutely fascinating. Also, love the design of your sleek black jacket and backpack.

[@jeevanpreetham562]

is the answer satisfaction ?

[@design.mahbub]

I am a civil major student. This kind of design process and site visit video's are very much helpful . Thank you for the effort you put in to make this one.

[@koun6522]

Thanks for this Dami! I'm currently doing my thesis and one of my problems with my site is that it's also similarly to be built in a very steep lot like yours. During your hiking site visit footage I found myself laughing because it was a similar experience to what I had to work with on my site. I'd love to hear about how this project develops! Just a hypothetical, but the concept I think you might go with is the split-type since it integrates the site features best and let's be real, it looks pretty sick. Best of luck, thanks for being such an inspiration to the industry 💕

[@summonthecat]

I really like these videos, I work on Video Game environments and I have learnt so much from architecture practices, mostly from your channel, thank you!

[@aliqaisar358]

Video game environments that’s so cool what did u study

[@m.himself]

I love to see constant improvement in your video editing, apart from the content itself. I love watching your videos.

[@MOJO-IV]

Great video as always,I really like to see the thought process behind the architectural design. The start is what i mostly struggled with but i think it is the most interesting phase of design.

[@freddyquelis789]

You make this look so beautiful and you inspire me to keep working on becoming an architect

[@blairpettigrew]

Exciting project. And the answer to your clients question is a FUNICULAR!😂 If you haven't already, looking at access should be part of pre-design/constructability studies. Does the local jurisdiction have max retaining wall heights, max driveway slopes, min turning radii, max grading quantities? If not, what is safe? You may be limited to a garage at the street, which will still be challenging with a considerable retaining wall. Maybe there are clues from that neighboring house. A meandering walkway up the hill around trees could be beautiful along side a funicular...but still lots of retaining conditions. Oh, and there also may be limitations on distance from the street around the proposed house often based on fire hose lengths. Love the video. Good luck!

[@Mawsdtheking]

I don’t know anything about architecture/design especially from a business point of view, but It looks like you guys are being really thorough and making it perfect which is awesome to see. I can’t wait to see what the result will be !

[@wallywood49]

I like your video, it reminds me of when I was in Architecture school many many years ago. Back then I had to make a site model of the whole city of Machu Picchu using just big 36" sheets of chipboard. The buildings, no problem. The contours, huge problem. To get the whole city in the model, I had to get a contour map of the whole site and, one by one, cut that contour line by hand with an x-acto knife. Needless to say, it took me all weekend to cut well over a hundred sheets of chipboard, stack them up, properly align them to the map, and glue them all in place. The teacher was impressed and my hand was totally numb! Your laser cutter looks much easier. Good luck on your challenging site. First thing I'd do would be to cut a few parking spaces into the hill next to the road to allow trucks to drop off materials, give you someplace to park on site visits, and a future parking space for the client and his visitors. Oh, and maybe invest in an incline railway!

[@DamiLeeArch]

Although there's many things about architecture from the past that I appreciate, cutting contours by hand is definitely not one of them 😆We'll see what we can do regarding the parking spaces. It would definitely make things a lot easier!

[@musicwithanarchitect6327]

I love this .Keep us informed about the whole project because right now I`m learning a lot plus having fun

[@et4344]

As a builder, I can't even begin to imagine how the builder is 😮going to get started. But super excited to see what your design going to look like. Are u going to let us follow the whole process of this project? Anyway, u told us the survey was done in 2006 why the owner didn't start this project sooner? Were there tons of issues that the earlier architects faces and gave up? Oh, just to jump ten steps ahead, 🤔 where the owner going to park their cars? and since it is so steep will there be a lift to transport them up and down or just a staircase? I do hope your clients have a deep pocket for this project 🤑as this is a very challenging site to work on, but nevertheless a very interesting project. Wishing your team great success. 👍

[@DamiLeeArch]

We will definitely need a creative builder, 😆I think the right builder will make or break a project like this! Absolutely, I will be sharing the process as the project moves along. The client purchased the site a long time ago, but just never did anything with the property until now. We will have to build a driveway and figure out all the logistics of transport, which is why we're engaging a contractor very early on.

[@kairon156]

As an inside person myself a big thing I ponder is what the layout might be. If the upstairs is getting more light maybe that's where the kitchen and living room are while the bedrooms and reading room will be down stairs.

[@edithh2000]

Oh! Dami you are so talented and generous. Thanks for sharing all about the process!🥰.. to me a house in a cantilever, one component on top of the other, where the roof of the one below could be a terrace. Made of CLT- timber exterior and interior, energy efficient, solar panels, collecting the rainwater to be used in the big green area, especially during the months there is no rain, but also in the toilets. The CLT combined with concrete or steel, where you can see the rough materials, fire proof. About the car maybe just a garage hidden by the access, with a green roof as a part of the same hill, like what BIG likes to design. Austria Canada, Norway are among the experts on timber... I know Dami Lee, a talented architect in beautiful Vancouver Love your videos! ❤

[@mubaroqaz]

I'm working on an architecture final project rn and the project I'm working on has contour conditions similar to those in the video. Thank you very much, this video really helped answer my confusion in the early stages of site analysis 😊

[@noodlenomnom6746]

Haha that neighbor perfectly captured how bad the NIMBYS are in SF

[@galgrunfeld9954]

10 ideas for your project - I hope they give you some inspiration! 1) Due to not a lot of light, and there being a beautiful view around use a lot of glass. This would give the feeling or being right in nature - but indoors, and let light in. 2) Smart use of angles, especially if you go for a 2-story/high design, could enable southern light to come in an angle towards the lower floor/lower area. 3) Use of white walls would incrase light inside the structure. You could use wood that wil compliment and be a homage to the nature and trees around, and combined with the white walls and glass would make a modern design palette. 4) On top of the "outside inside" big glass experience, you can add an hanging terrace for an "outside outside" experience, so experiencing the inside and outside is gradual, and will be nice for the weather is not too hot, and would add the bonus of of being detached from bound and limited by the hill. 5) Make a stream with a hidden pump - you have a beautiful foresty and steep hill - why not compliment that? 6) Make the upper part, where it's restricted to build high, a "be outside" area - it's relatively flat, large, and you could build there a garden, a dining area - basically like a back yard. 7) CABLE CARS - ideally one for a vehicle and one for transporting people. Refer to Tom Scott's video "The city with a hundred private cable cars" for a bit of info. And a staircase leading away from the building - so their only option for travel up and down the hill won't be ONLY mechanized - otherwise it might deincentivize them to not walk, which is unhealthy, refer to the KZbin channel Not Just Bikes for comparisons of walkway passes vs only roads for cars. 8) You could add a driveway to the top part, so the owner wouldn't have to park their car on the road below, and could protect it from the elements and have a garage for whatever car-related things they want. 9) A detached unit - could be used as an office outside the main house, as a guest house, an area for children or maybe just a quiet area for things like reading. For a treehouse, a floating bridge could be added. For something else, a stone walkway 10) To avoid the heat, you could always dig inside the hill to create a cool place that's insulated from the outside hot hair. If you make its outer wall attached to the face of the hill, you could make it a cool hangout area that gets both natural light and is cool. If you make it completely submerged inside the hill, it could be used for storage, pantry, wine cellar, home movie theater room. You could even store the car inside the hill if the owner wants to and has the budget.

[@chrishammock4544]

Never imagined I'd fancy an architect in my viewing. I love how your videos have you asking questions of yourself and of the viewer in general. How cool if the access to the site was an off ramp into the hillside (tunnel) and then you elevator ride into your house. Perhaps a nice outdoor area at the top and the living spaces halfway down. Great work.

[@yarsheets4572]

I absolutely love your videos. I hope you have additional installments on this project of yours. It would be really cool to include progress videos once the project is under construction as well. That is a challenging site.

[@Chonky_boi265]

Dami, this video really shows off your analytical skills and thought processes in architectural designing. So informative here! I thought for a second at the beginning you were climbing around in Stanley Park. Guess I was wrong here.

[@zineddinebelgaid7303]

So proud of you dami 🥰. I can’t wait to see what the concept is going to be

[@_timmy]

I've seen your videos through KZbin recommendations for a while now, but this is the video that has gotten me to subscribe. This is not to dismiss your other videos -- I enjoy those a lot -- but I really enjoy videos like these that take us through the nitty gritty considerations of architecture. I understand that it's hard to produce these types of videos frequently given the nature of the process, but I am definitely looking forward to more in the future. Thanks for documenting your process, Dami! Keep up the awesome work :~)

[@TheAIBlueprint]

You're such an excellent story-teller, wow! Way to turn that whole video into a really engaging video about your process... and the way you ended with that question! Sorry to say I'm going to steal that! "What's something everybody wants, but no one has?"... perfection. Everybody wishes they were perfect, had the perfect home, but no one really is perfect...

[@ivorinem]

Really glad I came across your channel. I stopped working in Arch years ago but love watching the process through your videos. I loved working with steep gnarly terrain. Presents some fun challenges. Looking forward to seeing the concept. I love cantilevered designs but the cost can skyrocket. Great video :)

[@marianalandgren7090]

Dami, your videos are soooo good! I used to be an architect but switched to graphic design, your videos remind me of the parts that I loved about architecture...

[@fwoggangidk]

A fantasy-style house. It seems that everyone wants their fairy house, gnome hut, basement monster, giant cabine or things of this kind. This is my guess.

[@gregorydalton7106]

some phenomenal comments have been provided. I look forward to see how you advance. I lived in Oakland and truly love the Oakland Hills, with full respect it requires architecture that abandons rules and norms. Be bold and your client will love it, the region will be resistant, and in the final phase, everyone will be peacefully at ease!

[@derickmusinguzi]

I have every bit of how you are tackling this Project. I can't wait to ride with you throughout this Project because it needs more thinking, Technical Knowledge at the same time cover architecture.

[@JWMCMLXXX]

There's always something to learn from other peoples process, whatever they do. This is great. Thanks for posting

[@malikdaniyel146]

First let me say congratulations on starting your architectural practise. I'm a structural designer and I design my house on slope land with nice green areas. I do look forward in seeing how your design concepts develops with your project.

[@annabazhan8675]

It is amazing! When you start to analyze the sun's movement I thought about roof windows, sun tunnels, and skylights that allow it to catch sunlight every time. But anyway your vision is very strong and I will be waiting for the next video about this project! I believe in you!

[@poppyorangeflower]

Love this. So well done. Can't wait to see the next couple of steps.

[@tannylopez7834]

I just found your account, and I'm so glad I did. It has been fun to get to know you through your own experience and amazing work. The way you deliver the content is insightful and easy to digest. I just started design school and I look forward to learning from you as you continue to share your work and journey with your practice

[@Biomirth]

What is something everyone wants but nobody has? 1. When I saw the site and the view I thought "Observatory". Obviously not the ideal place (in terms of light pollution), but the steep slopes remind me of some of the big telescopes, and a really nice telescope observing room would let you peer across that valley and see the stars at night. 2. Underground tunnel: Take the elevator down 4 levels to the parking area, which is inside a tunnel into the slope. 3. Walled Garden: If you build just before the peak and wall off below you could have a terraced garden on the oak slope and a flat garden on top. 4. County's best waterslide 5. A goat ranch (because nothing else will enjoy those slopes like goats). 6. Hot, wet, and dark? A tropical arboretum. 7. A ski lift from parking to the house.

[@o2lamsps]

I guess most people wanted to have with a site like this is a great view. Like your early videos about an unique building in “AI” movie, and many buildings in Italy, Hong Kong and other hilly places, the things people could not do well are blending the structure with the environment. I’m sure many trees got chopped during the construction. It will be good to see the final building blended in with the environment and yet keeping a stunning view. Love your work and keep going!!

[@drekfletch]

That lot calls for either Fallingwater or Bag End. Or both. Dug into the hillside for insulation and cooling with an expansive raised covered porch and patio series for outdoor living.