Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Monday, January 7, 2008
Thesis: Proposal: Take 1
1. TITLE
I don't quite know what my title is yet. I think I am still developing exactly what I am trying to accomplish, but it will be something along the lines of "Is Pre-fab construction desirable for an educational or institutional structure?" But, I think it will have to be more narrow than that. I want to know if it is more than desirable but also preferable.
2. ABSTRACT
Pre-fabricated housing is touted as the way the industry is moving. Tract housing is built so quickly and semi-efficiently, with basic designs and little customization that it does seem to be a step many builders would be willing to take. In other parts of the world, especially less populated countries and areas that don't have much in the way of construction or construction materials, it is more efficient and cost-effective to haul in pre-fabricated pieces and perform the simpler joinery on site. What if the pieces were more standardized to allow for a smaller catalog to create many different uses? Can the standard pre-fab house catalog be used to create educational or industrial structures?
Can pre-fab also begin to address other issues close to my heart, like combatting sprawl, creating spaces that are not only usable but address the needs of its occupants (now and in the future) by also being adaptable, and allowing for reuse after it has completed its life cycle. While I love (maybe hate is the better word?) the idea of planned obsolescence and would like to tie it into my thesis, I am not sure yet the role it would play.
Can The Long Tail (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Long_Tail) apply to architecture? The notion that there can be an infinite number of options as defined by the user is very interesting to me. Where now instead of a few huge musicians there can be thousands of modestly successful musicians seems like it should translate well to architecture.
3. PROGRAM
The program will include indoor and outdoor spaces. We have recently worked on two new Columbus City Schools projects, so I could use their program requirements as a starting point if I choose to design an educational facility.
4. SITE
The site will be downtown Columbus. Images are forthcoming.
It is important to me that my thesis address an infill site as opposed to a more loosely zoned site. I think to properly test the ideas, the structure built must be more than one story, and also have a smaller or constricted footprint. If the building can work on a tough site, then I think it will be easier to theorize that it can work on other sites, similar or not.
5. TECHNOLOGY
Sustainability and adaptability are very important. If pre-fab truly is the future of construction, it is vital that it address these technological issues. Also, with technologies changing so quickly, buildings built just 15 years ago are becoming obsolete. (Anyone remember the name of the health center in Columbus, that just last year became obsolete after the city spent millions on the new facility 15 years ago? I think it was on the south side. Google is no help.)
6. RESOURCES
In addition to the basic bibliography below, I think a VERY valuable source will be the book that just came in the mail yesterday.
Refabricating Architecture: How Manufacturing Methodologies Are Poised to Transform Building Construction by Stephen Kieran and James Timberlake.
I don't quite know what my title is yet. I think I am still developing exactly what I am trying to accomplish, but it will be something along the lines of "Is Pre-fab construction desirable for an educational or institutional structure?" But, I think it will have to be more narrow than that. I want to know if it is more than desirable but also preferable.
2. ABSTRACT
Pre-fabricated housing is touted as the way the industry is moving. Tract housing is built so quickly and semi-efficiently, with basic designs and little customization that it does seem to be a step many builders would be willing to take. In other parts of the world, especially less populated countries and areas that don't have much in the way of construction or construction materials, it is more efficient and cost-effective to haul in pre-fabricated pieces and perform the simpler joinery on site. What if the pieces were more standardized to allow for a smaller catalog to create many different uses? Can the standard pre-fab house catalog be used to create educational or industrial structures?
Can pre-fab also begin to address other issues close to my heart, like combatting sprawl, creating spaces that are not only usable but address the needs of its occupants (now and in the future) by also being adaptable, and allowing for reuse after it has completed its life cycle. While I love (maybe hate is the better word?) the idea of planned obsolescence and would like to tie it into my thesis, I am not sure yet the role it would play.
Can The Long Tail (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Long_Tail) apply to architecture? The notion that there can be an infinite number of options as defined by the user is very interesting to me. Where now instead of a few huge musicians there can be thousands of modestly successful musicians seems like it should translate well to architecture.
3. PROGRAM
The program will include indoor and outdoor spaces. We have recently worked on two new Columbus City Schools projects, so I could use their program requirements as a starting point if I choose to design an educational facility.
4. SITE
The site will be downtown Columbus. Images are forthcoming.
It is important to me that my thesis address an infill site as opposed to a more loosely zoned site. I think to properly test the ideas, the structure built must be more than one story, and also have a smaller or constricted footprint. If the building can work on a tough site, then I think it will be easier to theorize that it can work on other sites, similar or not.
5. TECHNOLOGY
Sustainability and adaptability are very important. If pre-fab truly is the future of construction, it is vital that it address these technological issues. Also, with technologies changing so quickly, buildings built just 15 years ago are becoming obsolete. (Anyone remember the name of the health center in Columbus, that just last year became obsolete after the city spent millions on the new facility 15 years ago? I think it was on the south side. Google is no help.)
6. RESOURCES
In addition to the basic bibliography below, I think a VERY valuable source will be the book that just came in the mail yesterday.
Refabricating Architecture: How Manufacturing Methodologies Are Poised to Transform Building Construction by Stephen Kieran and James Timberlake.
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Thesis: Bibliography
"PRE-FAB" by Allison Arieff and Bryan Burkhart.
This book presents many pre-fab houses all over the world, the architects that design them, and the reasons pre-fab is desirable for many locations. With floorplans and many images, it can be a good start to recognizing the benefits and drawbacks to this type of construction and also to see what pieces are currently being constructed for use in my project.
"The Adaptable House" by Avi Friedman.
The ideas presented in this book I believe can be adapted for commercial structures as well. As the demographics of an area or building change, so will the way the structure is used.
"Pre-fab Prototypes: Site-Specific Design for Offsite Construction" by Mark Anderson and Peter Anderson.
I don't have this book yet, but I think that its in-depth look at pre-fabricated commercial structures could be beneficial for my project.
"Design Like You Give A Damn" edited by Architecture for Humanity is a broad look at (among other things) pre-fab structures in use around the world. The projects it highlights are site-specific, easily constructed, inexpensive and sometimes widely used. Each project is specific to the way in which the users live and inhabit the structures.
This book presents many pre-fab houses all over the world, the architects that design them, and the reasons pre-fab is desirable for many locations. With floorplans and many images, it can be a good start to recognizing the benefits and drawbacks to this type of construction and also to see what pieces are currently being constructed for use in my project.
"The Adaptable House" by Avi Friedman.
The ideas presented in this book I believe can be adapted for commercial structures as well. As the demographics of an area or building change, so will the way the structure is used.
"Pre-fab Prototypes: Site-Specific Design for Offsite Construction" by Mark Anderson and Peter Anderson.
I don't have this book yet, but I think that its in-depth look at pre-fabricated commercial structures could be beneficial for my project.
"Design Like You Give A Damn" edited by Architecture for Humanity is a broad look at (among other things) pre-fab structures in use around the world. The projects it highlights are site-specific, easily constructed, inexpensive and sometimes widely used. Each project is specific to the way in which the users live and inhabit the structures.
Thesis Beginnings
Planned obsolescence is the idea that things are designed to fail after their life cycle has completed. Instead of these things being adaptable, there is not further use or life for them, and you must either purchase the same item again or, in buildings, demolish them and start over. This idea applies to tract housing today, because as they are built quickly with cheap materials, they have a very short life cycle. I think this could apply to my thesis in that the prefab educational or institutional structures could be altered as their life changes.
In terms of hierarchy, the most important to me is to create something ADAPTABLE using PRE-FAB pieces. I think designing the pieces could be beneficial, however I do like the idea of creating an educational or institutional structure from pre-existing pieces. The second item of importance would probably be to reduce sprawl through this method of construction. Thirdly, to allow the project design to be driven by the user experience. And finally, if successful, what implications can it have on architecture as we know it today? Can "The Long Tail" play into commercial architecture?
In terms of hierarchy, the most important to me is to create something ADAPTABLE using PRE-FAB pieces. I think designing the pieces could be beneficial, however I do like the idea of creating an educational or institutional structure from pre-existing pieces. The second item of importance would probably be to reduce sprawl through this method of construction. Thirdly, to allow the project design to be driven by the user experience. And finally, if successful, what implications can it have on architecture as we know it today? Can "The Long Tail" play into commercial architecture?
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