Monday, February 18, 2013

Modular Analysis (Pre-Ford House)

Analysis of module structural systems with intention of developing housing based on method of growing from one module to many.

Analysis of Homb and other structural layouts.

Further analysis into transportation sizes and structural modules based on structural layout/growth of unit size.
Analysis of transportation requirements in Michigan with respect to "Homb"layout and a more generic rectangular layout.  Development of units based on number of modules.


Investigation of type of attachment between models during installation.

Concept for planar modular system, with potential to intersect MEP cores for additional stability.

Planar "module" meant to attach to four columns, one at each corner.  Wood truss system creates structure for floor and space for support systems/lighting.


Planar module system with wall attachments.
Potential layout on site.


Additional layout studies:




Process Sketches - Ford House

Process sketches/notes for defining "Ford Family" and corresponding house qualities.


Investigation into type of manufacturing - unibody construction.  Potential to be further developed.

Initial explorations into the characteristics of the Ford Family.

Values of the Ford Family

Contrasting values of the VW Beetle owner/family

Initial diagram of truck layout/utility to influence house layout/utility

Diagram of desired connectivity of spaces within the Ford house based on truck layout and values of Ford Family.












Sunday, February 17, 2013

Ford Branded House - Collages

The overall concept is the development of the "Ford Built Tough House" as designed through marketing to the customer who identifies with the Ford F-150.  The customer which Ford looks to market to is a builder/maker (or someone who values those skills) who needs the truck to enable them to do their work.  Ford truck owners are proud of what they do, and symbolize values such as the importance of hard work and family.   The Ford family is developed around the idea of hard work and quality time together, often with the children growing into their parent's work, and sharing their parent's Ford trucks.

The Ford house will need to meet the demands of its users much in the same way that the truck does, by providing additional features that add to the functionality and usability of the house.  An example would be that the house is designed to give its owner easy access to plumbing pipes and mechanical equipment, so that the house is easy to fix up.

Another main concept of the house is the integration of live/work.  As the Ford house owner shares the values of hard work and family, the house is built to reflect these values, with a private workshop/garage connected to the living space to allow fixing/making/building near home, and to be able share these activities with their kids.  The prototype being developed for the Detroit tree farm will integrate a communal workspace for the tree farm off of the communities private work spaces.

The Ford house is built at the Ford plant, using some of the techniques which Ford uses to build its cars.  Uni-body construction will be considered for the structural system of the house modules, allowing the pieces to be molded specifically for each section of the house, and designed to support the loads it will see during transport and installation.  Additional materials will be integrated at the building site.

These are collages of potential views into the Ford house mixed with Ford print advertising.  The initial concept of the Ford house at this point is built on top of the advertising campaign for the Ford truck, and thus has an absurd juxtaposition with the backgrounds of Ford ads.




Sunday, February 10, 2013

Recycling Material in Architecture

Here is the precedent I talked about in class... it is outside of Chicago but has interesting re-use of industrial/manufacturing materials:

http://www.studiogang.net/work/2003/fordcalumetenvironmentalcenter

In an interesting twist, it is apparently too expensive of a design to be built in the current economic climate...

Composite Material Websites

http://www.compositesworld.com/articles/the-building-envelope-betting-on-the-big-time

http://composites.owenscorning.com/processes/Sheet_Molding_Compound.aspx

http://www.acelltec.com/en/case-study

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Sustainable Urban Farm - Shipping Containers

Prefab home competition entry - creation of a sustainable urban farm with the use of shipping containers.











Interesting Multi-family precedent

Winning competition entry for student housing complex in Denmark:

Connection between interior and exterior space.

Use of directionality in design to interact with surroundings.