DELTA_D.I.Y.
a project by ATOPIA_Research 2009: Jan-June
ATOPIA_RESEARCH Inc Princeton, New Jersey t +1 609 921 1418 info @ atopia-research.org
DELTA_D.I.Y addresses the urgent need in America for effective
community-integrated rebuilding strategies following environmental catastrophes and subsequent economic disasters. DELTA_D.I.Y exploits the logics of retail and brand culture to leverage CSR programs of major Home Improvement Retailers and National Logistics and Courier Companies,
to address a community’s
access to building materials, tools and expertise, essential to their rebuilding efforts.
DELTA_D.I.Y is a portable, off-grid, place-making pavillion that can be
erected quickly in a residential area and serve as a community attic (storage) and on site meeting place for groups involved in the reconstruction effort. The design of the pavilion establishes its ‘brand’ identity that is based on borrowing and scrambling the deliberately recognizable signs of the corporate sponsors.
This minature building is 16’ x 16’ and is composed of a secure attic
space for storing tools, made available to the local community in DELTA_D.I.Y. toolboxes, a covered seating area for group meetings, lessons and discussion (a circular seating area, 24’ diameter) and a fenced yard for storing building materials that can be sized according to site dimensions and local community needs. It can be temporary or permanent, fixed in place or mobile. It can be sited on a vacant lot or situated in relation to an existing institution (for instance, on the grounds of a local church, school) or parking lot.
Delta D.I.Y. is a useable billboard.
100% supergraphics.
0% architecture.
100% utility.
ATOPIA_Research is a Princeton based non-profit design organisation founded in 2005 by Jane Harrison and David Turnbull. The organisation works internationally, conducting research and developing architecturally integrated responses for
communities
experiencing
systemic
environmental and social crises. Responses aim to be demonstably catalytic, fostering the development of local entrepreneurship and supporting self determination. ATOPIA_ Research is also working on projects in Sichuan, China, Sub-Saharan Africa and Sri Lanka.