Promoting Equity through Housing Dennehotso Sweat Equity Program 2017
Guiding Principals BACKGROUND
FLEXIBILITY OF THE SHED
This housing design was developed by the students and faculty of DesignBuildBLUFF in collaboration with the Dennehotso Sweat Equity Project. The concept of sweat equity is one in which the client uses their own labor ("effort and toil"), rather than cash, as form of contribution in the building process. As there is an overwhelming need for affordable and culturally appropriate housing within Navajo, more than DesignBuildBLUFF can meaningfully contribute to on its own, sweat equity provides families the opportunity to enhance their own quality of life through labor rather than funds. This design coupled with those efforts creates opportunities to more directly address the issue of homelessness across the entire Navajo nation.
Considering the possibility of families building their own homes, the primary considerations in design development were: 1. EASE OF CONSTRUCTION 2. MATERIAL AVAILABILITY 3. EXPANSION THROUGH PHASES Our moment of innovation happened through a framing exercise which examined efficient use of material while still seeking beautiful forms. Understanding that the process of assembly needed to be simple in order for our clients to meaningfully participate in the construction required that the design remain straightforward. Beginning with the form of a small shed structure (single pitch), the design duplicates that form and mirrors it along an axis to expand into a larger volume.
PROGRAMMING This final form, a combination of two joined shed structures, could be configured in multiple ways (gable, butterfly, and so on), and if shifted imply the possibility for continual expansion. Using two matching shed structures as a starting point, and then shifting the volumes along a central axis, we were able to define public from private halves, break up the traditional gable roof form, and most importantly, create expansion zones in the resulting spaces. Through this lens, the design serves as a prototype. It models simple construction methods while also providing for flexibility depending on the client’s needs and site.
Functionally, one half of the building (the first shed) contains private rooms and a plumbing core with bathroom and kitchen bar on either side; the other half (the first addition) is an open plan, intended to serve as a living room, gathering space, and hearth. This public half echoes Navajo concepts found in the hogan, where families carry out traditional ceremonies and also gather for cultural events. The foundation system is also split: the private half is a poured concrete slab, the public half utilizes a concrete stem wall filled with an adobe earthen floor. Using natural building techniques in moments creates the opportunity for the client to additionally gain skills that speak to traditional culture.
Flexibility POSSIBLE CONFIGURATIONS SINGLE
NO OFFSET
OFFSET 8'
OFFSET 10'
14' x 28'
16' x 24'
16' x 26'
16 ft. is the maximum width of a structure that can be transported on a trailer.
OFFSET 12'
Phasing 2 HALVES + OPTIONS FOR EXPANSION
BASIC FLOOR PLAN (2 BEDROOM) 10.0000
BATHROOM
PRIVATE: CONTAINS UTILITIES
CONCRETE SLAB
26.0000
PLUMBING KITCHEN
EARTHEN FLOOR
PUBLIC: FLEXIBLE SPACE
CONCRETE STEM WALL
PHASING 1.
2.
BEDROOM
3.
BEDROOM
Expansion STRUCTURAL LOAD
LOAD-BEARING WALLS
EXPANSION ZONES 10.0000
NON-LOAD-BEARING WALLS
GUIDELINES FOR NEW OPENINGS 26.0000
EXPANSION ZONE 3
EXPANSION ZONE 1
LOAD BEARING
EXPANSION ZONE 2
Expansion can start within the existing structure by building interior walls.
Expand primarily through non-load-bearing walls. No openings wider than 4 ft in load-bearing walls.
Habitation Studies
ARCH 6060 DESIGN BUILD BLUFF 210 NORTH 700 EAST BLUFF, UT (801) 581-8617
DATE ISSUED:
01 DECEMBER 2016
N
W
E S
DSEP PROTOTYPE
FLEXIBILITY LAYOUTS A
ARCH 6060 DESIGN BUILD BLUFF 210 NORTH 700 EAST BLUFF, UT (801) 581-8617
DATE ISSUED:
A104
01 DECEMBER 2016
DSEP PROTOTYPE
FLEXIBILITY LAYOUT B
Habitation Studies
ARCH 6060 DESIGN BUILD BLUFF 210 NORTH 700 EAST BLUFF, UT (801) 581-8617
DATE ISSUED:
01 DECEMBER 2016
N
W
E S
DSEP PROTOTYPE
ARCH 6060 DESIGN BUILD BLUFF 210 NORTH 700 EAST BLUFF, UT (801) 581-8617
FLEXIBILITY LAYOUT C
DATE ISSUED:
A106
01 DECEMBER 2016
DSEP PROTOTYPE
FLEXIBILITY LAYOUT D
BASIC MODULES Modularity: Framing The intent of this system is to have a comprehensive library of wall modules that will allow designers, consultants, and homeowners to accurately, effectively, and efficiently lay out the perimeter of any floor plan. A modular system removes the need for time-intensive processes such as calculating material use and determining stud placement. To further increase ease of construction, the system was developed to be installed in a clockwise direction, with the end of each wall assembly
terminating at the far face of the next wall (see diagram). This again reduces the amount of time required to place and assemble the corner conditions and adds a level of consistency that will allow the builders to learn and improve their process quickly.
ADVANCED FRAMING: 2-FOOT MODULE
These modules were designed to accommodate 4'x8' sheathing on the exterior. The important dimensions are in plan, allowing the elevation of the modules to change according to the homeowners’ needs.
DIRECTION OF ASSEMBLY
START
DIRECTION OF ASSEMBLY
BENEFITS
MIDDLE
END
F
Modularity: Construction C B
A
12'
8'
16'
26'
10'
B C
B
A
A
B
C
B
W S
N E
Sweat Equity Opportunities The sweat equity component of these homes requires that the materials used are both accessible in place, affordable in cost, durable, and achievable with little knowledge of construction. Natural materials such as adobe, lime plasters, and wood are good examples of nontoxic accessible materials which can create healthier living spaces, come from renewable sources, and embody less energy.
There are also materials which we have found to exemplify best practices in the region for their durability, such as metal roofs or exterior siding products such as fiber cement lap siding. Finally, the earthen floor and concrete stem wall system provides a sweat equity opportunity because the process can be easily learned and remains culturally relevant for Navajo families.
FOUNDATION SECTION CONCRETE SLAB
EARTHEN FLOOR & CONCRETE STEM WALL CONNECTION POINT
1/2" ADOBE FINISH LAYER 3" ADOBE BASE LAYER GRAVEL RIGID INSULATION
CONCRETE
ADOBE OR EARTH PLASTER
GOOD FOR: SLAB ON GRADE FOUNDATION STEM WALL FOUNDATION KITCHEN/BATHROOM COUNTERTOPS
GOOD FOR: INTERIOR FINISHES FLOOR WITH CONCRETE STEM WALL ADOBE BRICKS
HIGH EMOBODIED ENERGY MEDIUM COST READILY AVAILABLE REQUIRES HIGH SKILL LEVEL COULD BE CONTRACTED OUT VARIETY OF PIGMENTS & FINISHES POSSIBLE
LOW EMBODIED ENERGY LOW COST, LOCALLY SOURCED ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY INTENSIVE LABOR REQUIRED, LOW SKILL LEVEL OWNERS WILL NEED TO REPAIR OVER TIME BREATHABLE PROVIDES THERMAL MASS FOR PASSIVE HEAT
Sweat Equity Opportunities LIME PLASTER & TADELAKT LIME GOOD FOR: EXTERIOR/ INTERIOR TADELAKT GOOD FOR: KITCHEN/ BATHROOM LOW EMBODIED ENERGY LOW COST ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY INTENSIVE LABOR REQUIRED OWNERS WILL NEED TO REPAIR OVER TIME LIME IMPROVES AIR QUALITY, BREATHABLE FOR LIME EXTERIOR: NEEDS TO BE COVERED FROM EXPOSURE TO WATER: ‘GOOD HAT AND GOOD SHOES’
WOOD SLATS GOOD FOR: INTERIOR FINISHES COULD BE SALVAGED COST VARIES DEPENDING ON TYPE EASY TO INSTALL CERTAIN TYPES AVAILABLE LOCALLY WIDE VARIETY OF OPTIONS & FINISHES
BUTT JOINT SHIPLAP TONGUE AND GROOVE CLAPBOARD
FIBER CEMENT GOOD FOR: EXTERIOR CLADDING HIGH EMBODIED ENERGY MEDIUM COST READILY AVAILABLE EASY TO INSTALL MORE DURABLE THAN VINYL OR WOOD SIDING OPTIONS INCLUDE: SMOOTH FINISH WOOD GRAIN FINISH LAP SIDING SHAKE SIDING 4' x 8' PANELS
CORRUGATED METAL GOOD FOR: ROOF EXTERIOR/ INTERIOR HIGH EMBODIED ENERGY LOW-MEDIUM COST READILY AVAILABLE REQUIRES LOW-MEDIUM SKILL LEVEL MORE DURABLE THAN ASPHALT SHINGLES