Shane Stewart 11D
Problem Statement: A family comprising three members made a move from America to Guyana
to buy their 2400 sq. ft. plot of land. A two-bedroom energy-efficient modern house needs
designing with a living room and functional kitchen plus one bathroom according to architectural
specifications. Natural lighting and sustainable features together with enhanced ventilation share
top priority with the family. I received the opportunity to construct their new residence after
presenting my portfolio to their review.
Natural ventilation elements and daylight utilization within the planned house design function
together to create the best possible indoor environmental conditions. Clay bricks combined with
locally sourced hardwood make up the selection of sustainable materials which emphasizes
durability and environmental sustainability. The building design meets all required building
regulations and permission standards which exist across Guyana according to Town and Country
Planning guidelines. The house features two bedrooms together with a bathroom and a well-
made kitchen and spacious living area under a hip-and-gable roof design.
Natural ventilation elements and daylight utilization within the
planned house design function together to create the best possible
indoor environmental conditions. Clay bricks combined with locally
sourced hardwood make up the selection of sustainable materials
which emphasizes durability and environmental sustainability. The
building design meets all required building regulations and
permission standards which exist across Guyana according to Town
and Country Planning guidelines. The house features two bedrooms
together with a bathroom and a well-made kitchen and spacious
living area under a hip-and-gable roof design.
Every room within the house features casement windows for
appropriate ventilation purposes. The high temperatures in Guyana
require proper ventilation because they increase the likelihood of
heat illnesses. Open air ventilation improves when a kitchen sink
window gets added above its location. The living room includes two
casement windows to improve ventilation through air circulation
with the doors while creating a better environment for breathing.
The home contains three door designs which include panel, flush and
sliding doors throughout the entire property. The back doorway
utilizes panel doors yet all indoor areas employ flush door design.
The bedroom section of the house provides direct entry to the shared
bathroom facilities. A sliding door serves as the main entrance
uniting functionality with useability.
The bathroom contains a bathtub together with a washbasin and a
toilet. Foul odors do not accumulate because of a carefully installed
window next to the toilet. The positioning of the bathtub occurs left
from the toilet and the washbasin sits right of the toilet. Having joint
bathroom entry points through the two bedrooms provides users with
extra ease of use.
Inside the living room visitors can find a piano alongside a lamp that
accessible from anywhere in the house because of its front
placement.
Family members can interact with each other while preparing food
or eating meals in the integrated kitchen dining space.
Concrete blocks function as structural components to build walls that
make the house resistant to environmental elements. External walls
due to their thickness provide the structure with enhanced durability
and strength.
Building stability together with longevity improves due to reinforced
concrete columns. The columns offer vital structural support which
makes the building both safe and enduring in the face of
environmental factors.
Zinc roof The advantages of zinc material include corrosion
resistance and long lifespan and recyclability
properties. The reflective characteristics of this
material assist in heat reduction at the home
assisting with decreasing power consumption in a
tropical weather zone.
Concrete blocks The selected materials deliver high durability for
structural frameworks. Concrete blocks serve a
dual purpose of offering thermal mass benefits to
stabilize indors temperature consistency. The
combination of Portland cement applied with
localized aggregates yields a building material
that cuts down environmental effects because it
needs limited material relocation.
Clay Bricks The builders selected these materials because
they deliver durability together with strong
thermal mass properties for automatic
temperature control. The sustainable nature of
clay bricks stems from their local sourcing along
with their low-maintenance duration of many
decades.
Purple Heart Wood The combination of durability and rich color and
resistance to wear makes Purple Heart wood
highly prized by users. This wood offers both
strength and extended lifespan which makes it an
ideal sustainable choice for using inside buildings
as finishes and supporting structures. This wood
stands out as an environmentally friendly material
because of its special appearance and its ability to
lower shipping-related emissions provided it is
used in a sustainable manner.
Window People choose casement windows because of
their convenient operation which enables full
opening to maximize ventilation thus cutting
down on artificial cooling needs.
Panel doors Energy conservation occurs through the usage of
panel, flush, and sliding door types which
simultaneously promote security features and good
visual appeal.
Foundation The strip foundation spreads home weight across supporting walls to
create uniform support that prevents ground heaving. The two-
bedroom structure together with living room piano and dining area and
kitchen will stay safe into the future through this design approach.
Roof (Hip-and-Gable) The hip-and-gable roof structure from Guyana ensures a strong
defense against weather hazards such as heavy rain and intense winds,
characteristic of the tropical climate in the region. The roof is with a
45° slope, which enhances both wind resistance and natural
ventilation. Bituminous felt layers contribute to the roof’s durability,
heat resistance, and impact protection.
Windows & Doors Placing Casement windows in strategic positions throughout the house
helps both ventilation and natural light entry which limits the need for
electric-powered temperature control and room illumination. Modern
functions along with space conservation emerge from the sliding main
entrance door which pairs with flush doors for an easy maintenance
system inside. The building design improves ventilation as well as
energy efficiency and security performance.
Soffit & Fascia The installation of these components establishes protection for both
edges and underside of the roof which supports extended home
lifespan by preventing water damage and pest intrusion. The
installation of soffits allows proper roof ventilation while fascia boards
deliver a completed look around the roof edges. These components
work together to avoid moisture accumulation which helps keep the
structure stable.
Finished Flooring Responsible sourcing of Purple Heart wood flooring delivers durability
together with unique appearance and sustainability attributes. The
lifespan and vibrant appearance of Purple Heart wood surfaces become
longer through a process that includes sanding followed by staining
and sealing treatments. The comfortable and durable surface adds both
property value and comfort quality to your house.
Building Material:
• Purple Heart wood
• Clay bricks
• Zinc roofing
• Bituminous felt
• Casement windows
• Sliding door
• Flush doors
• Gutter system
• Concrete blocks
• Reinforced concrete columns
• Steel reinforcements
• Coarse and fine aggregates
• Portland cement
• Washbasin sink
• Toilet
• Bathtub
• Nails
• Screws
Conforming to Building Standards:
The loads for beams can be distributed through concrete walls and timber wall plates.
The allowable bearing length for either situation must be no less than 100 millimeters.
When plastered ceilings rest directly on the bottom of rafters and ceiling joists their
minimum width must be at least 38 mm nominal.
Rafters together with ceiling joists need to bear at least 75 mm on timber plates.
All ridge boards together with hip and valley rafters must come with a size that equals or
exceeds the biggest size used for rafter framing.
Users are expected to install all doors with a standard width of 36" measurement.
Conclusion:
The dwelling built for the Guyanese family focuses on both sustainability and energy efficiency
as well as practical living needs. The building design implements natural lighting and ventilation
benefits through the combination of clay bricks and locally obtained hardwood which ensures
both durability and sustainability. The completed architectural plan consists of generous living
space together with well-organized kitchen areas and bathroom facilities and integrates a front
deck beneath a hip-and-gable roof structure. The house structure follows all Town and Country
Planning framework rules of Guyana to meet regulatory conditions and gain functional
advantages. This architectural project manifests sustainable design principles which unite
contemporary lifestyle with nature conservation to provide an environment-friendly home for the
family.