This thesis is dedicated to my family and friends for standing beside me through my five years in SCAD giving me support and encouragement. I would like to say thanks to my thesis committee: Judith Reno, Jean Jaminet, and Sheila Edwards for all their support, in put and critique. Also special thanks to Scott Dietz and Michael Pearce for your resources. Without the support of everybody I would have not been able to make my vision a reality.
CONTENTS Thesis Abstract
02
Natural Disasters
05
Current Disaster Recovery
21
Digital Fabrication
49
Standards for a Shelter
73
Site Analysis
91
Program Development
135
Modular Architecture
145
Schematic Design
157
Design Development
185
Thesis Conclusion
239
1
2
Everybody wa thing, rich or p only a warm, d a shelter for t
3
Samuel Mockbee, architect
ants the same poor...not dry room, but the soul.
4
5
6
INTRODUCTION United States sustains about ten major natural
provided by FEMA. Formaldehyde, a chemical
disasters every year.1 Recent events, such as the
commonly found in building materials, cause
destruction caused by hurricane Katrina and the
breathing problems and is classified as a carcinogen.
earthquake in Haiti, raised the stakes for design and
Government tests on hundreds of trailers in Louisiana
construction professionals to respond intelligently to
and Mississippi found formaldehyde levels that were,
disaster relief. The lack of suitable living units for post-
on average, about five times what people are exposed
disasters has become to be a striking problem in the
to in most modern homes. Roughly 55,000 victims
design field. Most government and relief groups from
will be eligible for shares of $37.5 million paid by more
around the world struggle with providing immediate
than two dozen manufacturers.2
and effective shelters to the unfortunate victims. Many major agencies do not use the knowledge of
With that in mind, this thesis will develop a novel
architecture for shelter. Yet they assign volunteers
design and fabrication process for mass customized
that are not familiar with disaster relief housing needs
post-hurricane disaster shelter modules. The process
which effectively condemn the victims to years of
will involve generative computational methods and
inadequate housing.
fabrication techniques with the study of materiality. The challenges in the way of finding a suitable shelter
7
In September 2012 Federal Emergency Management
are manifold. The shelter should be efficient to deploy,
Agency was fine $42.6 million dollars for distributing
easy to installed, able to withstand extreme weather
toxic trailers to the victims of hurricanes Katrina and
conditions, lightweight enough to be carried to the
Rita, by the court, who claimed that they were exposed
disaster-affected zones. Shelters must preserve the
to hazardous fumes while living in them. The court
dignity along with provisions for health and safety of
found high levels of formaldehyde in the trailers
the victims who have suffered many losses.
Natural Disasters
Image 1.01
8
Image 1.02 9 9 Natural Disasters
This map shows the tracks of all known North Atlantic major hurricanes from 1851 to 2008. Majority of hurricane activity in the world happens in the Atlantic Ocean. A major hurricane is a tropical cyclone of Category 3 or higher on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale and has maximum sustained surface winds of at least 111 miles per hour.3 10
...the aftermath 11 11
Image 1.03 Natural Disasters
Worldwide, the total number of natural disasters reported each year has been rising steadily in 4 recent decades, from
78 348
in 1970 to in 2004 Flooding in New Orleans, Louisiana, after Hurricane Katrina
12
13
Image 1.04
Image 1.05
Image 1.06
Image 1.07
Image 1.08
Image 1.09
Natural Disasters
POST HURRICANE A natural disaster, such as a hurricane, not only leaves
In more recent events, Hurricane Sandy was all over
a trail of property destruction in its wake, but many
the news during the last couple of months of 2012.
times leaves thousands of its victims with a destroyed
Long before hitting New York and New Jersey, it tore
sense of balance.5 Victims are left homeless due to
through the Caribbean leaving destruction behind
the flash floods and strong winds. Communities are
Cuba and Haiti. To this day, people in Haiti are still
erased as their neighbourhoods are washed away. As
waiting for help. With a poverty levels so high, many
a result, so many people are force to live in inadequate
if its people were left homeless once again. Guy
housing that range from a simple tent to FEMA trailers.
Mathieu, owner of a local radio station in Haiti, quoted
Some of this storms can be so devastating that it can
after Hurricane Sandy stroke the island, “there is no
take years for a city to recover.
separation between the living and the dead.�6
However, inadequate housing is not the only problem
So many if the victims having been thrown into
they have to worry about. With the streets flooded for
schools and shelters were adults and children sleep
weeks it can bring a whole different kinds of issues
on the same ground. Many of these places do not
from sanitation to diseases. It also makes it difficult
receive any assistance and a lot of its people are still
for organizations to aid the victims, especially when it
recovering from the 2012 earthquake.
comes to medical help.
14
1.5 million 15 15
Natural Disasters
Haitians are living in tents and camps after the 2010 earthqua
d tarps 7 ake. Image 1.10
16
Of the world’s refugees
49% 47%
are female and are children [under 18]8
The average duration of major refugee situations has increased
9 years 17 years
From To
[1993] [2003]9
On any given night i the United States, at least
700,000
people are without shelter 10
17 17
Natural Disasters
Stranded victims of Katrina rest inside the Superdome
Image 1.11
18
FOOTNOTES 1 “The Changing Role of Architects in Disaster
6 ”Victims of Hurricane Sandy Forgotten in Haiti
Response.” The American Institute of Architects.
| Bangkok Post: News.” Victims of Hurricane
The American Institute of Architects, n.d. Web.
Sandy Forgotten in Haiti | Bangkok Post: News.
09 Sept. 2012. <http://www.aia.org/about/
Bangkok Post, 12 Nov. 2012. Web. 14 Jan.
initiatives/AIAS075272>.
2013. < http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/ world/322333/victims-of-hurricane-..>
2 AP. “Katrina, Rita Victims Get $42.6M in Toxic FEMA Trailer Suit.” CBSNews. CBS Interactive,
7 “Haiti Unprepared For Hurricane Season |
27 Sept. 2012. Web. 07 Oct. 2012. <http://www.
MyAyiti.Com.” Haiti Unprepared For Hurricane
cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57521757/>.
Season | MyAyiti.Com. MYAYITI.COM, 1 June 2010. Web. 15 Jan. 2013. < http://myayiti.
3 “Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.” SaffirSimpson Hurricane Wind Scale. NOAA/ National
com/2010/06/haiti-unprepared-for-hurricaneseason/>
Weather Service, n.d. Web. 13 Jan. 2013. < http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutsshws.php>.
8 “Protracted Refugee Situations,” UNHCR, June 2004.
4 The International Disaster Database <http:// www.emdat.be/
9 “Protracted Refugee Situations,” UNHCR, June 2004.
5 Caito, Rebecca. “Dealing With the Aftermath of a Hurricane.” Dealing With the Aftermath of a
10 Marielena Zuniga, “No Home of Her Own:
Hurricane. Rhode Island Sea Grant, Apr. 1992.
Homeless Women,” Soroptimist of Americas,
Web. 14 Jan. 2013. <http://seagrant.gso.uri.
Jan. 2003.
edu/factsheets/aftermath_hurricane.html>
19
IMAGE NOTES 1.01 http://www.nytimes.com/ interactive/2011/05/01/
1.11 http://www.flickr.com/photos/15739028@ N03/4992369860/
weekinreview/01safe.html
1.02 http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/climo/ 1.03 http://cheaperthandirt.com/ blog/?tag=disasters
1.04 http://photos.syracuse.com/poststandard/2012/10/brian_hajeski_1.html
1.05 http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/ photo/2jArk9LM1fDRqI383yR6mg
1.06 http://my.opera.com/greendanang/albums/ showpic.dml?album=5531842&pictu re=83389782
1.07 http://www.flickr.com/photos/15739028@ N03/4992371254/
1.08 http://news.blogs.cnn.com/category/world/ haiti/
1.09 http://www.gettao.com/bbs/ viewthread. php?action= printable&tid=29202
1.10 http://kylechowning.com/the-homeless-inhaiti-need-you/
20
21
22
FEMA 23 23
Current Disaster Recovery
Image 2.01
FEMA recovery center in Miami, FL
24
FEMA RECOVERY CONTINUUM The recovery process is best described as a sequence of interdependent and often concurrent activities that progressively advance a community toward a successful recovery. However, decisions made and priorities set early in the recovery process by a community will have a cascading effect on the nature and speed of the recovery progress.
11
The
image below indicates how FEMA does response and recovery functions related in example sectors.
Image 2.02
25
Current Disaster Recovery
RECOVERY CORE PRINCIPLES - Individual and Family Empowerment. - Leadership and Local Primacy - Pre-Disaster Recovery Planning - Partnerships and Inclusiveness - Public Information - Unity of Effort - Timeliness and Flexibility - Resilience and Sustainability - Psychological and Emotional - Recovery12
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Partnerships at every level are supported by State and Federal authorities and encouraged through two-way communication.13 Successful
recovery
depends
on
all
recovery
stakeholders having a clear understanding of pre- and post-disaster roles and responsibilities. In keeping with the National Disaster Recovery Framework (NDRF) principles, clearly defined roles and responsibilities are a foundation for unity of effort among all recovery partners to jointly identify opportunities, foster partnerships and optimize resources.14 Image 2.03
26
HOUSING Coordinating Agency: HUD Primary Agencies: DHS/FEMA, DOJ, HUD, USDA Supporting Organizations: CNCS, DOC, DOE, EPA, HHS, SBA, U.S. Access Board, VA, ARC, NVOAD
MISSION Address pre- and post-disaster housing issues and
The Housing Recovery Support Function works toward
coordinate and facilitate the delivery of Federal
addressing disaster housing issues pre-disaster,
resources and activities to assist local, State and Tribal
focusing on solutions that are implementable,
governments in the rehabilitation and reconstruction
sustainable and resilient. As States and communities
of destroyed and damaged housing, whenever
look to the Federal Government for assistance in
feasible, and development of other new accessible,
housing both disaster survivors and others who
permanent housing options.15
choose to live in recovering communities, the Housing
FUNCTION
RSF coordinates and effectively integrates available housing-related resources, addresses conflicting policy and program issues.17
The function for housing is the ability to implement housing solutions that effectively support the
Consistent with the National Disaster Housing Strategy
needs of the whole community and contribute to its
(NDHS), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)/
sustainability and resilience. Housing is a critical and
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
often challenging component in disaster recovery. It is
maintains lead responsibility for sheltering and interim
critical because local economies cannot recover from
housing with interim housing support from Housing
devastating disasters without adequate housing,
and Urban Development (HUD) as well as other primary
especially affordable housing. It is challenging because
agencies and support organizations. Sheltering falls
many yearsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; worth of housing repair, rehabilitation,
under ESF #6 in the National Response Framework
reconstruction and new construction often need to
(NRF) where DHS/FEMA is the coordinating agency.18
occur at an accelerated pace after a disaster.16
27
Current Disaster Recovery
Image 2.04
FEMA trailers after hurricane Katrina
28
Image 2.05 29 29
Current Disaster Recovery
Sandy victims in New York
FEMA FAILURE Sandy Aftermath: FEMA Trailers Sitting Unused, Despite Thousands Still Powerless In New York -ABC News
FEMA trailers have not been delivered to those in
Five weeks after Rapid Repairs was launched, 1,200
New York hit hardest by Hurricane Sandy, despite a
homes have been fixed. That’s leaves 11,000 families
substantial number of the mobile homes sitting in
still waiting, without heat or electricity.21 The winter
Maryland.
is getting colder but atleast New York is stating to shleter their own people.
New York City has actually chosen to forego emergency assistance in the form of FEMA trailers. This despite
FEMA says that the trailers would not work there. “We
the fact that, more than a month after the superstorm
don’t have the open space and the open space we
devastated large swaths of the New York metropolitan
have is back in flooded areas and we don’t want to
area, thousands of families are still coping with the
compound the problem of putting peoples in harm’s
devastation, and could face substantial health risks
way by putting units in where they don’t belong,” said
living in damaged homes. Eyewitness News found
Michael Byrne, of FEMA.22 In other words the FEMA
them in Cumberland Maryland at a FEMA Temporary
trailors are useless for Sandy victims,
Housing storage site about 300 miles from New York City.19 Hundred upon hundreds of trailors have been
Congressman Frank Pallone pressure FEMA to finally
sitting there six weeks after Sandy hit New York.
get a few dozen trailers to New Jersey. “It’s getting cold, you can’t expect people to rely on neighbours,
Instead of trailers, Mayor Bloomberg is relying on his
relatives, hotels forever, they need this housing,”
program called Rapid Repairs to get people back into
Congressman Pallone said.23
their homes quickly.20
30
RED CROSS SOCIET 31 31
Current Disaster Recovery
TY Image 2.06
Red Cross Society respond after Japan Earthquake and Tsunami in 2011
32
MISSION The American Red Cross, a humanitarian organization
With more than 130 years of emergency relief
led by volunteers and guided by its Congressional
experience, the Red Cross and its volunteers are
Charter and the Fundamental Principles of the
experts in the field of disaster response. In the wake
International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement,
of domestic disasters, the Red Cross is prepared to:
will provide relief to those affected by disaster and help people prevent, prepare for and respond to
- Open shelters and serve meals
emergencies.24
- Distribute recovery supplies such as cleanup and comfort kits
While the Red Cross network of chapters is responding
- Work with those affected to develop longterm
to emergencies in every state, every day, the states
plans for recovery and identify available
shaded in this map illustrate where the Red Cross
resources
provided large-scale relief from July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011.25
- Provide physical and mental health care through our team of more than 3,800 licensed medical professionals and more than 3,200 mental health professionals26
Image 2.07
33
Current Disaster Recovery
Image 2.08
34
35 35
Image 2.09 Current Disaster Recovery
Hurricane Katrina relief shelter in Astrodome, Houston
NATIONAL SHELTER SYSTEM The Red Cross National Shelter System (NSS) contains information for over 56,000 potential shelter facilities and is used to track and report shelter information during disasters.
This powerful tool
enables emergency managers and disaster workers to identify the location, managing agency, capacity, current population, and other relevant information of all shelters operated in response to disasters.27 NSS information assists the Red Cross, FEMA, state and local emergency management, and nongovernment organizations in developing strategies to ensure prompt and effective mass care services. The system also serves as a planning tool before disaster strikes.28 They include: - Self-sufficiency for power - Emergency generator on-site - Utilities -Kitchen/preparation capacity -Seating for food service
NSS VALUES - Can support day-to-day shelter management in response to any size disaster - Can aid in decision making, request for a declaration, and recovery processes - support matching available shelter resources with needs of affected area - access, organize, and report data as disaster situations evolve29 36
RED CROSS SOCIETY FAILURE Where did the money go in Haiti? -WGBH News
It turns out that almost none of the money that the
TransAfrica is one of several organizations monitoring
general public believed was going to Haiti actually
how money is being spent in Haiti in the aftermath of
went directly to the country. Of the $468 million the
the earthquake. “One of the goals that was set in the
Red Cross has collected for Haiti relief efforts, it has
first year… was to build 125,000 transitional shelters.
spent $148 million. Most of the money that was
Now we’re at the two-year mark and there still aren’t
spent went to outside governments, international
even 100,000 shelters.”31 That means more than
aid agencies, and well-connected non-governmental
half a million people are living under tarps and tents.
organizations.
Today, housing remains the most intractable problem. “There’s a lot of open land that can be used for new
Two years after the earthquake and most people
housing programs but there hasn’t been a bold action”
in Haiti are still living in temporary housing built by
to use it for low-cost housing. 32
the Red Cross and other organizations. “You should see what they’re building. It’s like little boxes and 30
Seven months after
purposes, such as cholera treatment pills for the
the earthquake struck the island, the Red Cross has
water supply and tarps. However, “there has been
spent only one-third of the half a billion dollars it
little accountability and also little participation of the
collected in aid. Majority of the money has not been
actual eventual beneficiaries, and therefore there has
seen by any of the victims.
been a lot of waste.”33
they’re calling them houses.”
37
Where does the money go? Some has gone to good
Current Disaster Recovery
Image 2.10
38
Habitat for Humanity volunteers rebuild homes after series of tornadoes struck Alabama April 27, 2011.
H
HUM 39 39
Image 2.11 Current Disaster Recovery
HABITAT FOR MANITY 40
MISSION To develop innovative housing and shelter assistance
poor basic services and lack of effective building
models that generate sustainable interventions
regulation â&#x20AC;&#x201D; do not disappear. Adequate housing
for people vulnerable to or affected by disasters or
should be at the center of urban disaster-recovery
conflicts. In addition, Disaster Response builds the
efforts, not only because the need is great, but also
capacity of the global Habitat community in the areas
because it facilitates other elements of recovery.39
of disaster mitigation, preparedness and recovery
Safe shelter is known to have a positive impact on
through education, training and partnerships.
34
human health.
Disaster strikes in an instant, but shelter and housing
Disaster response needs focus on the entire
needs remain. 35
neighbourhood. Solutions must be designed to reflect the diversity of neighbourhoods and not provide one
Habitatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s
Disaster
Response
focuses
on
the
housing needs that arise from natural disasters and
standard assistance mechanism across the entire city.
humanitarian emergency conflicts. We meet the challenge of disasters and conflicts worldwide using a
Finally, post-disaster housing solutions should be
number of integrated approaches that revolve around
designed to reduce the risk of future hazards. There
our core competencies of sustainable shelter and
is no point in rebuilding in a flood plain, or on an
housing solutions.36
unstable slope, or with the same technique that made houses vulnerable in the first place.39
SHELTER
The agency usually gathers a group of volunteers to help build wood structure houses for the victims. The
Disaster recovery introduces new and urgent issues
duration of the construction can vary depending on
on the long-term problems of inadequate housing.
the number of volunteers and access of materials and
This poses a special challenge to shelter recovery
tools.
efforts, since long-term issues â&#x20AC;&#x201D; tenure insecurity, 41
Current Disaster Recovery
Image 2.12
42
43 43
Image 2.13 Current Disaster Recovery
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY FAILURE Volunteer Group Lags in Replacing Gulf Houses -The New York Times
Couple of days just days after Hurricane Katrina,
- Habitat volunteers aren’t all that efficient
Habitat for Humanity chief executive appeared on
at home building. Habitat is more about
CNN, promising to build and repair as many homes
providing volunteers with a heartwarming
as it could pay for, “hopefully in the thousands.” The
experience.
organization quickly mustered 50,000 volunteers, raised $127 million, and attracted prominent backers
Habitat, with more than $1 billion in annual revenues,
like President Bush and the New Orleans jazz
is based in Atlanta and Americus, Ga., and has
40
operations worldwide. Its mission often seems as
luminaries Harry Connick Jr. and Branford Marsalis.
much about providing spiritual fulfillment to its But almost 18 months after storms destroyed more
volunteers as it is about improving new homeowners’
than 250,000 homes, Habitat for Humanity says it
lives.42
has built just 10 houses for poor hurricane victims here, 36 in New Orleans, and a total of 416 along the
Habitat for Humanity illustrates both the strength
entire coast, from Alabama to Texas. More are under
and the weakness of an organization with a strong
construction, for a total of 702.41
commitment to a particular mission and model. The commitment to a model emphasizing local control,
There is criticism with Habitat’s decision making
volunteerism, and helping people who can help
structure and its unwillingness to change its methods
themselves has been instrumental in creating a
of operations to suit the massive needs in the
strong national brand. But this model falls far short
hurricane reconstruction zone:
of achieving the mission principle stated in the 2004 annual report:
- Habitat works only through local affiliates, slowing decision making and complicating fund raising
“that safe and affordable housing is a basic human right and a fundamental component
- Only builds new homes
of dignity and long-term well-being for every
- Habitat requires cash payments, good credit
person on earth.”43
and sweat equity by the prospective home buyer
44
FOOTNOTES 11 “National Disaster Recovery Framework | FEMA.
24 “2011 Disaster Relief Program Review.”
gov.” FEMA.gov. FEMA, n.d. Web. 28 Jan. 2013.
American Red Cross. American Red Cross, n.d.
<http://www.fema.gov/national-disaster-
Web. 28 Jan. 2013. <http://www.redcross.
recovery-framework>
org/what-we-do/disaster-relief/2011-disasterrelief-program>
12 Ibid
25 Ibid 13 Ibid 14 Ibid 15 Ibid
26 Ibid 27 “The National Shelter System.” American Red Cross. American Red Cross, n.d. Web. 28 Jan. 2013. <https://nss.communityos.org/cms/>
16 Ibid
28 Ibid 17 Ibid
29 Ibid 18 Ibid
30 Martin, Philip. “Where Did The Money Go In 19 Hoffer, Jim. “FEMA Trailers Sitting Uninhabited,
Haiti?” WGBH News. PBD NPR, 12 Jan. 2012.
Victims Want Answers.” ABC. WABC-TV/DT,
Web. 29 Jan. 2013. < http://www15.wgbh.org/
12 Dec. 2012. Web. 28 Jan. 2013. <http://
articles/index.cfm?tempid=5337>
abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=news/ investigators&id=8918103>
31 Ibid
20 Ibid
32 Ibid
21 Ibid
33 Ibid
22 Ibid
34 “Habitat for Humanity’s Disaster Response.” Habitat for Humanity Int’l. Habitat for Humanity
23 Ibid
Int’l, n.d. Web. 29 Jan. 2013. <http://www. habitat.org/disaster>
45
IMAGE NOTES 35 Ibid
2.01 http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/ File:FEMA_-_9010_-_Photograph_by_An-
36 Ibid
drea_Booher_taken_on_10-31-2003_in_California.jpg
37 Ibid 38 Ibid
2.02 FEMA National Disaster Recovery Framework Guide
39 Ibid
2.03 Ibid
40 Strom, Leslie Eaton And Stephanie, and STEPH-
2.04 http://www.fema.gov/photodata/origi-
ANIE STROM. “Charity Group Lags in Efforts On
nal/45300.jpg
Gulf Homes.” The New York Times. The New York Times, 22 Feb. 2007. Web. 30 Jan. 2013. <http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/22/
2.05 http://blog.archny.org/notes/wp-content/ uploads/2012/11/weneedhelp.jpg
us/22habitat.html>
2.06 http://www.flwestcoastredcross.org/image-
41 Ibid
sup/Tampa%20Bay%20Chapter/Images/ Japan.jpg
42 Ibid 2.07 American Red Cross Disaster Service Pro-
43 “The History of Habitat.” Habitat for Humanity
gram Review
Int’l. Habitat for Humanity Int’l, n.d. Web. 30 Jan. 2013. <http://www.habitat.org/how/historytext.aspx>
2.08 http://arcgbw.files.wordpress. com/2011/12/h21157-37515-2011disinf. jpg
2.09 http://www.bayarea-redcross.org/imagesup/ American%20Red%20Cross%20Bay%20 Area/Gregory%20Smith.JPG
46
IMAGE NOTES 2.10 http://bethelmissionoutreach.org/wpcontent/uploads/2013/01/0110haitirecove ry_update.png
2.11 http://www.fema.gov/photodata/original/49681.jpg
2.12 http://static.move.com/blogs/pagelyrdcblogs/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/infographic_112112-.jpg
2.13 http://www.habitatforhumanity.org.uk/view. image?Id=2090
47
48
49
50
INTRODUCTION Digital design and fabrication technologies have given
An early advocate of this approach was Gehry &
architects the means to invent new architectural
Associates, whose adoption and development of
languages and communicate them directly to
digital fabrication was vital in enabling them to
production facilities allowing for the construction of
construct the iconic Disney Concert Hall from 1989-
projects with unforeseen complexity.44 The increasing
2003. The critical part of this translation process lay
proliferation of computers and advanced modeling
in the practice’s adaptation of an existing software
software has enabled architects and students alike
program,
to conceive and construct 3-D designs that would be
Interactive Application (CATIA). This program is an
very difficult to develop using traditional methods.45
established design-and-development application in
The architectural possibilities of developments in
the aerospace industry. The firm used it to model the
material technology continue to increase, fueled by
building’s envelope and permitted full-size prototype
digital fabrication methods.
to be digitally fabricated.
Digital fabrication is a process using digital data to
The computer is often used as an active and dynamic
direct a manufacturing development. While digital
agent that not only enables the representation of
fabrication has been around for decades, only now has
creative ideas but also generates them. One of the
it become possible for designers to take advantage
most important features of digital design is in its
of this powerful technology. A significant figure in the
capacity to develop complex curvilinear geometries,
field, Lisa Iwamoto describes the shift towards digital
a relatively difficult feat when using traditional design
fabrication:
and construction processes.47 This feature has
“For many years, as the process of making
Computer-Aided
Three-dimensional
brought numerous architects to be highly engaged in
drawings steadily shifted from being analog
the fabrication process to ensure the design intent is
to digital, the design of buildings did not
carried through into the production. As a result of this
really reflect the change. CAD replaced
involvement, designers have inherited greater control
drawings with a parallel rule and lead
of the construction process since the digital design
pointer, but buildings looked pretty much
data is so closely integrated with digital manufacturing
the same. This is perhaps not so surprising
technologies.
one form of two-dimensional representation
51
simply replaces another. It took three-
Additionally, a vast array of material exploration
dimensional computer modeling and digital
suddenly opens up to the designer using digital
fabrication to energize design thinking and
fabrication methods – facilitating creative, efficient,
expand the boundaries of architectural form
and highly effective use of architectural materials.48
and construction.”46
This will be further explored later on in the book.
Digital Fabrication
Image 3.01
52
MASS CUSTOMIZATION The digital age, in which we live, the question is no longer whether a design is buildable or not, the question now is what is the best way to engage with and respond to the potential of digital fabrication. Possibly the most important development in this regard is the making of “nonstandard” components through a process of “mass customization.”49 These nonstandard components should be modularized and their function combines into a single subsystem. With digital fabrication, mass customization has become a reality and at times a necessity. Mass customization proposes new processes to build using automated production, but with the ability to differentiate each artifact from those that are fabricated before and after assembly. Mass production was the ideal of the early twentieth century. Mass customization is the recently emerged reality of the twenty-first century. Mass customization is a hybrid.50 “The ability to differentiate, to distinguish architecture based upon site, use, and desire, is a prerequisite to success that has eluded our predecessors.”51 This idea strongly opposes the historic notion of mass production which was about the economy of making things in quantity. This inevitable design required the architect or client to choose from predetermined parts. Now that mass customization is a reality, it can provide mass customized, designed housing for emergency shelter. A definitive need exist for a system that is rapidly deployable and mountable for the affected communities.
53
Digital Fabrication
Image 3.02
A carefully detailed private workspace conceals office equipment behind birch plywood ribs by Synthesis Design + Architecture
54
55
Digital Fabrication
Image 3.03
CASE STUDY The Instant House A great example for this idea is “The Instant House”
The Instant House process produces a customized,
project developed by Marcel Botha and Lawrence
habitable mono-material plywood structure. Various
D. Sass for MIT’s Department of Architecture. They
joint types sustain their assembly through friction
studied how digital design and fabrication can be
connection for each component of the system,
utilized in an urgent housing environment, specifically
eliminating the need for nails, screws or glue. The
designed as a relief effort for natural disaster areas or
process is divided into five stages: shape design,
refugee camps. It promoted the use of a system that
design development, evaluation, fabrication, and
is rapidly deployable and mountable, while fostering
construction.53 The house took two people and three
individuality within the larger rebuilt community.
days to assemble it.
The Instant House product ships as an all-
The notion of mass customization is the idea of
inclusive flat packed structure, ready for immediate
“nonstandard” components.
52
implementation.
Botha
and
Sass
created
a
Digital fabrication
methods phase encourage the making of one-
solution for emergency housing, while still giving
off, nonstandard objects and components.
personal ownership to the user, through generative
architectural context, using nonstandard elements-
computational
fabrication
whether structurally, external/internal, or otherwise
In the past, examples of generative
means that the possibilities of optimizing variance
methods have tended to produce house designs as
in relation to ecological and local criteria, alongside
spaces and forms only. The Instant House combines
other design intentions and aesthetic decisions, are
the concept of prefabricated low cost design with those
myriad.54
techniques.
methods
and
CNC
In an
based on shape and a system for digital fabrication.
56
DIGITAL FABRICATION Principles The techniques of digital fabrication generally fit
Many professional model makers use this technology
into three main categories: cutting, subtracting, and
for high-quality model components such as façades.
addition. Although these techniques are analogous
A major disadvantage is that most laser cutters are
to traditional processes used in architectural model
relatively small, which places a limit on the size of the
making, they ultimately bring more options for model
components. This process of construction is akin to
makers.
traditional methods, except that some designers use the laser-cutting technology to provide a reference key on each component as well as small holes, slots, and
Cutting
notches to aid assembly.57
The first technique, which is perhaps the most
Barkow Leibingers Architects are at the forefront
common and accessible, is cutting. There is a range
in architectural experimentation based on digital
of different cutting techniques, but essentially they
fabrication and mechanical assembly of buildings. For
all enable the production of flat components using
“The Gatehouse” project in Stuttgart, the designers
a cutting head that follows instructions provided by
used laser digital cutting to fabricate a unique and
55
digital design data.
These techniques are often
freestanding building, in which the application of
referred to as “two-dimensional fabrication”56 and are
this technique is integral to the construction and
usually limited by the thickness of the material they
not simply surface decoration.58 Working with über-
can cut.
engineer Werner Sobek, the firm used Triumpt’s own technology to laser-cut and weld sheet metal for the
The laser cutter is a technology that uses a laser to cut
roofing system. The gatehouse consists of a small
precise patterns in most types of materials such as
functional core topped by a honeycombed steel roof
metal, plastic, and paper. It also enables designers to
that cantilevers an astonishing 66 feet across the
make components with complex shapes and detailed
street in front of it.
elements, incorporating apertures and patterns. 57
Digital Fabrication
Subtration The second technique is subtraction, which is the
CNC milling or routing has two main roles: first it may
process of taking material from an existing solid
be applied to remove material from a volume and
volume. The excess material is typically removed
fabricate components in a manner similar to carving.61
through milling or routing process leaving behind
Since G-code gives the machine specific instructions to
the desire features and components.
produce the components from a volume material, this
Using the
subtractive process has many advantages.
Much
process can reduce the amount of waste material as
larger elements can be made, meaning there is a
well as facilitate the effective and relative economical
wide selection of raw material that can be used. Also
making of nonstandard components.62 The second
elements can be more accurately fabricated and they
application relates to the results. Due to the fact that
59
the CNC machine can perform in a high degree of
are more economical and faster for large quantities.
accuracy and complexity on surfaces, this facilitates Computer Numerical Controlled (CNC) milling and
to fabricate geometrically sophisticated molds.
routing are two of the most firmly established digital fabrication techniques.60 The CNC process
An experimental project from the Institute for Advanced
uses a computer system to generate code (G-code)
Architecture of Catalonia has made the â&#x20AC;&#x153; ,â&#x20AC;? part of the
instructions that control the movements of a machine
Smart City Expo in Barcelona, Spain. The project aims
tool. G-code is basically a programming language that
to explore how technology can create architecture that
gives the CNC machine the coordinates from which to
is adaptive to particular environmental conditions.
hold and engage the machining tool in order to cut
Designed to be fabricated by CNC machines, the
and shape the material. All CNC machines have two
building was assembled out of in a month. The parts
or more programmable directions of motion called
were defined in a digital format string and cut into very
axes. One of the first specifications that imply a CNC
quickly, even if they were completely different from
machineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s complexity is how many axes it has. The
each other with no additional cost.63 The components
more axes, the more complex the machine is hence
came to site they are pre-drilled and slotted, and can
the more complex work it can produce.
be assembled like flat pack furniture. 58
59 59
Digital Fabrication
Image 3.04
Additive The third technique is based on an additive technique
Typically, rapid prototyping systems can produce
which slowly builds up material in layers rather than
3D models within a few hours. The most significant
removing it.64 All additive processes work on the basis
limitation of rapid prototyping process has been the
of translating digital design information into a series
size of objects they are able to fabricate. Considering
of two-dimensional layers.65 The physical object is
the expense of additive fabrication machines, along
made through an accumulative process of layering.
with the relatively long time required for making
Its advantages include the direct conversation from
the object, has led to a reasonable narrow use
digital model, which means that no additional devices
in architecture.
or molds are required. Sophisticated geometry and
prototyping is typically during the design process,
internal voids are also easily fabricated, and it does
in which the designer can examine complex and
not require a special program language or machine
curvilinear geometries in physical formations rather
66
The greatest application of rapid
skill to use the application.
than digital ones.68
This additive category of digital fabrication is most
A New York based architecture studio, Kokkugia, has
commonly known as rapid prototyping.
Rapid
come up with a project that explores structures based
prototyping enables quick fabrication of physical
on fibrous skeletons. Unlike conventional skyscrapers,
models using three-dimensional computer aided
which have a hard outer covering to increase stability,
design data. The process lies in the gradual buildup
the Fibrous Tower is based on algorithmic design
of incremental two-dimensional layers of material to
methodologies that explore ornamental, structural
67
produce a three-dimensional object.
The process
and spatial order through this lens. According to the
most commonly known as a type of rapid prototyping
creators, the project compresses the structural and
is 3D printing. The 3D printing machine reads the
tectonic hierarchies of contemporary tower design into
data from the CAD drawing and lays down successive
a single shell. This shell self-organizes in response
layers of liquid, powder, or sheet material â&#x20AC;&#x201C; building
to the conflicting set of criteria.
up the physical model from a series of cross sections.
stereolithographic, the first form of rapid prototyping,
These layers, which correspond to the virtual cross
as part of a series of investigations that explore
section from the CAD model, are automatically joined
different structure designs.
The firm used a
together to create the final shape.
60
61 61
Digital Fabrication
Image 3.05
Daiareef is a thesis project for AA, London. The thisis aims for the development of a self-prganize system that can adapt to a high pressure enviroment.
62
DIGITAL FABRICATION Strategies There are a wide range of digital design and fabrication
for a consistent form and quicker productions, as well
approaches that may enhance or replace traditional
as control the type of texture on surface. Contouring
aspects of the architectural design process. Within
is readily achieved using CNC routing and milling
these approaches, there are a number of key ways of
processes and may extend surface characteristics by
integrating digital technologies to achieve the desired
incorporating geometrical variation and complexity
result.
This process is sometimes referred to as
into otherwise planar materials.72 However using
â&#x20AC;&#x153;toolingâ&#x20AC;?, defined as the provision and setting up of
the CNC for contouring can be time-consuming and
tools for a machining process.â&#x20AC;?69 Within this tooling
demands a considerable amount of material. Because
process, there are four different approaches that are
of its wasteful nature, it is not conceivable to create an
primarily implemented by architectural designers.
entire building by carving it out of a solid material. The
These approaches are: contouring, folding, forming,
process if contouring has enabled architect to achieve
and sectioning.70
highly imaginative effects from traditional materials, by articulating their properties in an effective and
Contouring
Bone Wall by urban A&O is a great example of
The first approach is contouring, unlike the other
implementing and contorting to create a highly
methods, it is subtractive in nature. This technique
complex and fluid form constructed of detailed
reshapes a surface and creates a three-dimensional
pieces of foam. The idea of this project is to explore
relief by removing successive layers of material
continuity of surfaces and modulation of light within
such as carving.
Carving is the long-established
the wall as well as to provide elements for storage and
technique of working with materials in architecture,
seating. The firm did this project as an experiment
principally in stone and wood stretching back to
aimed toward the advancement of contemporary
ancient civilizations.71 The main difference between
architectural practice and to demonstrate new
the two processes lays in the nature of the tooling of
opportunity for designers to participate more directly
each method. Incorporating digital processes into the
in processes of fabrication.
design and construction of contoured surfaces allows 63
transformative manner.73
Digital Fabrication
Folding
Forming
The second approach is folding, the simple act of
Next approach is forming. Forming is a ubiquitous
turning a flat surface into a three-dimensional form,
method used for such things as packing, cell phones,
can be best described as an exercise in architectural
car bodies and anything else made out of plastic. It is
origami.
readily applied for the mass production of consumer
Folding has a rich potential for defining
structural geometry.
Through folding, the self-
products.
For architecture the method of forming
supporting effective span and rigidity of sheet
usually was relegated to the use of concrete. Digital
materials may increase substantially, offering further
fabrication approaches the method requiring a mold
74
Of course the structural ability
and form which is usually created via CNC milling, but
for the surfaces relies greatly on the characteristic
occasionally used rapid-prototyping techniques.77 The
of the surface material.
Using two-dimensional
process produces positive and negative molds, also
surfaces to create three-dimensional forms has an
referred as female and male. The positive molds
extensive history in product design and other creative
can be used for thermo- and vacuum molding, while
disciplines. This allows designers to shift from scale
negative molds may facilitate casting and injection
models to full-size prototypes, which allows them not
moldings.78 Forming is a key way of making curvilinear
only to explore but directly experience it. The data
elements.
design development.
there unfolded sheets is usually used with the laser cutter. The advantage of laser cutters is that they
Franken Architekten designed the Bubble for the
can score sheet material rather than cut all the way
BMW Trade Fair combining this approach with
through its thickness, affording fold to be more easily
contouring. The Bubble was one of the first structures
75
made.
in the world which was completely created with digital means, from the design through to construction.79
The Starlight Theater by Studio Gang Architects was
The frames were evolved from the parametric design
designed for Rock Valley College to replace an existing
and laser cut 3,500 individual pieces from sheets
outdoor venue. The firm incorporated a faceted roof
aluminum. The cladding elements, which comprised
structure whose folding geometry permits the center
305 unique acrylic-glass panels, were heated formed
sections to open upward, so that each roof panel
onto individual CNC-milled foam blocks.80 With all the
overlaps its neighbor in a similar manner to flower
components fabricated, they were able to assemble it
76
petals. They used the folding and laser cutter to make
on site with no problems.
this structure a reality. What makes this roof structure amazing is the ability to open and close depending on the weather for their performances.
64
Sectioning
Tessellation
The fourth approach is sectioning, the act of creating
Finally the last approach is tessellating, which
a three-dimensional form by connecting a skin over
aesthetically resembles a mosaic composition, is
closely placed parallel ribs. This approach has a long
a collection of pieces that fit together without gaps
time history in the construction of ships and airplanes.
to form a plane or surface. The history of tiling is a
The form of the object is defines by a series of sections
long established in traditional manual craftsmanship-
that are covered with a material or skin. Digital
producing mosaics, stained glass windows, and
fabrication techniques typically used in sectioning are
other ornaments. One of the many advantages of
cutters, particularly laser cutter and CNC routers.
digital design and fabrication methods is that they can effectively overcome the previous investment of
Burnham Pavilion, designed by Zaha Hadid Architects,
time and also provide ways in which patterns may be
shows how curvilinear geometry and methods of
generated and optimized to gain maximum impact
overlaying combined can create a complex structure.
both visually and materiality-especially concerning
The pavilion comprises intricate bent-aluminum
the reduction of waste.83 Also another big difference
structural sections; each shaped and welded to create
between historical and contemporary tessellating is
81
its unique curvilinear form.
The structural sections
are then covered with stretched fabric. The tent-like
that digital technologies give us the ability to create divergent doubly curved surfaces.
shape has been planned to be collapsible and reinstalled without any difficulties.82
3XN’s
design
for
Horten’s
new
Copenhagen
headquarters demonstrates innovative use of threedimensional tessellation to address design issues.84 The building units are consciously designed to ensure that they buildings energy consumption is ten per cent less that required by the energy guidelines in the Danish building codes.85 The façade elements were developed specifically for this building’s complex geometry providing bay windows views towards the water while avoiding direct sunlight.
65
Digital Fabrication
Image 3.06
66
67 67
Image 3.07 Digital Fabrication
Digital fabrication signals a major shift in the way we may engage architectural design. The techniques used by digital fabrication required designers to rethink their design process, often developing novel methodologies and nonlinear approaches.
As designers we are
now able to produce precise and complex geometry combined with direct making and assembly process, and exploit material performance will result of the architects returning to a position of master builders which have disappeared in the medieval times. Essentially the use of digital fabrication will become the future of architecture.
68
FOOTNOTES 44 (FAB)BOTS customised robotic devices for
53 Bortha, M and Sass, L. (2006) The Instant
design & fabrication in FABRICATE2012 by
House: Design and digital fabrication of housing
Marta Male-Alemany, Jeron Van Ameijde and
for developing environments, CAADRIA 2006
Victor Vina, 2011:40
Kumamoto (Japan), p.211.
45 Sheil, Bob, and Ruairi Glynn. (2009) Fabricate: Making Digital Architecture. Toronto: Riverside
54 Dunn, Nick. (2012) Digital Fabrication in Architecture. London: Laurence King, p.84.
Architectural, p.6.
55 Dunn, Nick. (2012) Digital Fabrication in
46 Iwamoto, L. (2009) Architectural
and
Digital Material
Fabrication:
Architecture. London: Laurence King, p.88.
Techniques.
Princeton Architectural Press, p.5.
47 Dunn, Nick. (2012) Digital Fabrication in
56 Ibid, p.88. 57 Ibid, p.91.
Architecture. London: Laurence King, p.49.
48 Ibid, p.76. 49 Ibid, p.77.
58 Dunn, Nick. (2012) Digital Fabrication in Architecture. London: Laurence King, p.94.
59 Dunn, Nick. (2012) Digital Fabrication in Architecture. London: Laurence King, p.89.
50 Kieran, Stephen, and James Timberlake. (2004) Refabricating Architecture: How Manufacturing
60 Ibid, p.96.
Methodologies Are Poised to Transform Building Construction. New York: McGraw-Hill, p.xii.
61 Ibid, p.96.
51 Ibid, p.xiii.
62 Ibid, p.96.
52 Bortha, M and Sass, L. (2006) The Instant
63 Grozdanic, Lidija. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Endessa Pavilion Is a Modular
House: Design and digital fabrication of housing
Solar Collector by IAAC.â&#x20AC;? EVolo | Architecture
for developing environments, CAADRIA 2006
Magazine. EVOLO, LLC, 29 Aug. 2012. Web. 05
Kumamoto (Japan), p.209.
Oct. 2012. <http://www.evolo.us/architecture/ endessa-pavilion-is-a-modular-solar-collectorby-iaac/>.
69
64 Dunn, Nick. (2012) Digital Fabrication in Archi-
78 Ibid, p.148.
tecture. London: Laurence King, p.89.
79 “Bubble.” - FRANKENARCHITEKTEN. Franken 65 Ibid, p.89.
Architekten GmbH, n.d. Web. 13 Oct. 2012. <http://www.franken-architekten.de/index.
66 Ibid, p.89. 67 Ibid, p.102.
php?pagetype=projectdetail>
80 Dunn, Nick. (2012) Digital Fabrication in Architecture. London: Laurence King, p.152.
68 Dunn, Nick. (2012) Digital Fabrication in Architecture. London: Laurence King, p.104.
81 Dunn, Nick. (2012) Digital Fabrication in Architecture. London: Laurence King, p.158.
69 The Chambers Dictionary. Chambers Harrap, 2001.
82 “Burnham Eco Pavilion by Zaha Hadid Architects and UNStudios.” Burnham Eco Pavilions by
70 Dunn, Nick. (2012) Digital Fabrication in Architecture. London: Laurence King, p.121.
Zaha Hadid and UNStudio. Tuvie - Futuristic Technology, n.d. Web. 13 Oct. 2012. <http:// www.tuvie.com/burnham-eco-pavilions-by-
71 Ibid, p.130. 72 Ibid, p.130.
zaha-hadid-and-unstudio/>.
83 Dunn, Nick. (2012) Digital Fabrication in Architecture. London: Laurence King, p.166.
73 Ibid, p.130. 84 Ibid, p.168. 74 Dunn, Nick. (2012) Digital Fabrication in Architecture. London: Laurence King, p.140.
85 “Horten Headquarters.” 3xn Architects. 3xn Architects, n.d. Web. 13 Oct. 2012. <http://
75 Ibid, p.140.
www.3xn.dk/en/>.
76 Ibid, p.143. 77 Dunn, Nick. (2012) Digital Fabrication in Architecture. London: Laurence King, p.148. 70
IMAGE NOTES 3.01 http://thestraighttorquer.com/wp-content/ uploads/2012/02/disney-2-1024x768.jpg
3.02 http://blog.archpaper.com/wordpress/wpcontent/uploads/2012/02/SDA_desk-0080. jpg
3.03 http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0l2613wxR08/ R1MFbtAXlVI/AAAAAAAAACY/PIv_B9i31x0/ s1600-R/image.jpg
3.04 http://ad009cdnb.archdaily.net/wp-content/ uploads/2012/09/505be68f28ba0d27150 0021b_endesa-pavilion-iaac__mg_0358.jpg
3.05 http://farm3.static.flickr. com/2796/4410373569_b6d93a0b48_b. jpg
3.06 http://www.bustler.net/images/gallery/ zaha_hadid_burnham_pavilion_10.jpg
3.07 http://abduzeedo.com/files/originals/u/url. jpg
71
72
73
74
75 23
What are the b for a shelter? Image 4.01 Standards for a shelter
basic needs ?
Destroyed homes after Hurricane Sandy in Queens, NY
76
THE BASIC ELEMENTS FOR LIFE INCLUDE
Shelter
77
Standards for a shelter
-
Clean Water
-
Sanitation
Shelter is a critical determinant for survival in the
affected victims. Shelter responses should enable
initial staged of a disaster. Beyond survival, shelter
affected populations to incrementally upgrade and/
is necessary to provide security, personal safety and
or make the transition from emergency to durable
protection from the climate and to promote resistance
housing solution.
to ill health and disease.86 It is also very important for human dignity, â&#x20AC;&#x153;to sustain family and community life and to enable the effected population to recover from the impact of disaster.â&#x20AC;?87 According to the Minimum Standards in Shelter, Settlement, and Non-Food Items by The Sphere
TRANSITIONAL SHELTER
Project, everyone has the right to adequate housing.
An approach rather than a phase of response, the
This includes the right to live in security, peace, and
provision of transitional shelter responds to the fact
dignity.
88
These instruments are define as:
- sufficient space and protection from
that post-disaster shelter is often undertaken by the affected population themselves.90 Post-disaster
cold, damp, heat, rain, wind, and other
shelter solutions should be reused, relocate from
threats to health
temporary to permanent locations, and can promote
- sustainable access to natural and common resources: safe drinking water,
the transition by affected populations to more durable shelter.
heating and lighting, sanitation and washing facilities, and emergency
According to the Minimum Standards in Shelter,
services
Settlement, and Non-Food Items by The Sphere Project,
- that building materials and policies
for non-displaced victims on the site of their original
relating to housing construction appro-
homes, transitional shelter can provide basic starter
piately enable the expression of cultural
home, to be upgraded, expanded or replaced over
identity and diversity of housing
89
time as resources permit. For displaces populations, transitional shelter can provide appropriate shelter
After a disaster, the opportunity to return to their own
which can be disassembled and reused when the
land and dwelling is a major goal for most disaster-
victims are able to return to their homes.91
78
LIVING SPACE â&#x20AC;&#x153;People should have sufficient covered living space
In warm, humid climates the shelter should be
providing thermal comfort, fresh air, and protection
oriented and designed to maximise ventilation and
from the climate ensuring their privacy, safety, and
minimise entry of direct sunlight. The roof should
health and enabling essential households and live
have a reasonable slope for rainwater drainage with
hood activities to be undertaken.â&#x20AC;?92
large overhangs.94 The construction of the shelter should be lightweight. For flood zones, the use of
According to the Minimum Standards in Shelter,
raised floors will minimise the risk of water entering
Settlement, and Non-Food Items by The Sphere
the shelter.
Project, for a shelter, all affected individuals have an initial minimum covered floor area of 3.5m2 per
The floor-to-ceiling height is a key factor, with greater
person.93
height being preferable in hot and humid climates to aid air circulation. In warmer climates, adjacent
The living space should provide for the fallowing
shades in the outside can be used for food preparation
activities:
and cooking.95
- sleeping - washing - dressing - care of children - storage for food, water and household possessions 79
Standards for a shelter
Image 4.02
AbleNook: Rapidly Deployable Modular Dwelling interior shot
28 80
There are â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;transitiona â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;temporary.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Emergen temporary and is inte shelter for survival. T something that is lon you space to carry ou activities rather than
81
Elizabeth Babiester, shelter advisor Standards for a shelter
alâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; as opposed to ncy shelter is ended just to provide Transitional implies nger-term and gives ut livelihood n just surviving.
82
By 2030, we will need to build homes a day to give people shelter
96,000 Bruce Mau, Designer 83 31
Image 4.03 Standards for a shelter
96
32 84
CASE STUDY AbleNook There is no “one size fits all” solution to disaster relief
“The design itself is a narrow room with an arched
housing but there is a common set of criteria: sturdy,
roof covered in solar panels that collects rainwater
reliable and economical to build. One tactic for less
on both ends and directs it into a collection tank
expensive housing solutions is prefabricated and flat-
at the back of the house. Units can be single or
pack shelters. Two graduate students at the University
double-wide depending on the need and can include
of South Florida, Jason Ross and Sean Verdecia, have
multiple bedrooms, kitchen, work space, storage and
designed the AbleNook.
bathroom. Adjustable footing foundations allow the unit to be placed on uneven surfaces.”98
“AbleNook is the only rapidly deployable portable structure comprised of interlocking components which
ADVANTAGES
can be assembled by unskilled workers in a short
- Units are shipped flat packed
period of time. These components are shipped flat-
- More units can be delivered by truck
packed in order to maximize the number of families
- Can be deployed on wildly uneven
who are helped in disaster areas, while reducing transportation costs.”97
terrain - Units can be assembled by unskilled individuals in minutes, without tools
The design is based on an universal aluminium
- Integrated electrical = Plug-in anywhere
structural insulated panels (SIPs) that clip together
- Can be expanded for larger space
without the use of any tools. The main structural members, like the floor joists and wall columns, are
- Thermally insulated
also identical, extruded from aluminium and can run
- Units can be used for residential,
electrical conduit through them. This universal plug-
military, home office, and school
and-play assembly system allows for economies of scale during fabrication, efficient shipping and easy assembly upon arrival.
85
requirements with ease in minutes
Standards for a shelter
- Thermodynamically based upon bungalow typology = passive cooling effect - Can be re-used = long term savings99
Image 4.04
Image 4.05
Flat Packaged for transportation
Image 4.07
Exploded isometric of structure
Image 4.09
Aluminium connectors
Solar panels
Image 4.06
Exterior perspective
Image 408
Mechanical system on the back
Image 4.10
86
87 35
Image 4.11 Standards for a shelter
AbleNook: Rapidly Deployable Modular Dwelling
88
FOOTNOTES 86 “Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards
97 Verdeci, Sean, and Jason Ross. “Ablenook-
in Humanitarian Response.” The
modular Universal Space Creation on Demand
Sphere Handbook. The Sphere Project, n.d.
- Home.” Ablenook-modular Universal Space
Web. 17 Jan. 2013.
Creation on Demand - Home. University of
<http://www.spherehandbook.org/en/how-to-
South Florid, n.d. Web. 18 Jan. 2013. < http://
use-this-chapter-2/>
www.ablenook.com/>
87 Ibid
98 Meinhold, Bridgette. “AbleNook: Flat Pack Modular Prefab Units That Come Together In A
88 Ibid
Snap.” Inhabitat, 02 Feb. 2011. Web. 18 Jan. 2013.<
89 Ibid
http://inhabitat.com/ablenook-flat-
pack-modular-prefab-units-that-come-togetherin-a-snap/>
90 Ibid 99 Verdeci, Sean, and Jason Ross. “Ablenook-
91 Ibid
modular Universal Space Creation on Demand - Home.” Ablenook-modular Universal Space
92 Ibid
Creation on Demand - Home. University of South Florid, n.d. Web. 18 Jan. 2013. < http://
93 Ibid 94 Ibid 95 Ibid 96 Alter, Lloyd. “Join Bruce Mau. Be Part of the World House Project.” TreeHugger. Treehugger, 24 Feb. 2006. Web. 17 Jan. 2013. <http:// www.treehugger.com/corporate-responsibility/ join-bruce-mau-be-part-of-the-world-houseproject.html>
89
www.ablenook.com/>
IMAGE NOTES 4.01 http://www.theatlantic.com/ infocus/2013/01/hurricane-sandy-80-dayslater/100440/
4.02 http://www.dudeiwantthat.com/omg/pads/ ablenook-rapidly-deployable-6298.jpg
4.03 http://therealsasha.wordpress. com/2011/10/27/7-billion-australia-the2011-census/
4.04 http://inhabitat.com/a-prototype-of-theablenook-rapidly-deployable-emergencymodular-living-unit-is-now-complete/ ablenook-prototype-12/
4.05 http://www.ablenook.com/gallery/ 4.06 Ibid 4.07 Ibid 4.08 Ibid 4.09 Ibid 4.10 Ibid 4.11 Ibid
90
91
92
Image 5.01 93
Site Analysis
LOCATIONS The Atlantic hurricanes runs from June 1st to November 30th. The Atlantic basin includes the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico. Peak season is from mid-August to late October. As shown in image 1.02, you can see that must hurricane activity starts in Africa and travels through the Caribbean Sea. This area is known as Hurricane Alley. It is known for its warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean. It stretches from the west coast of Africa all the way to the Gulf Coast of United States. Hurricanes form over tropical waters in areas of high humidity, light winds, and warm sea surface temperature, which makes Hurricane Alley an ideal place for hurricanes to form. The sea surface temperature of the Atlantic in Hurricane Alley has been steadily growing warmer over the past decades, which most climate scientist believe accounts for the increase in hurricane activity.100 For this reasons, I have choose three different sites to conduct my research, New Orleans, South Florida, and Puerto Rico. Through my research I have found that these are the areas that are most affected by hurricanes and would be an ideal places to design the shelter module.
Hu
rri
ca
ne
Al
ley
94
HURRICANE PATHS 1850 - 2008 Looking close on the three site, I diagrammed all the
Looking at all three maps, its evident that all three
hurricane activity that has passed through each site.
sites have a high level of hurricane activity. However,
I narrowed it down to category 3 or higher hurricanes.
Puerto Rico stands out the most in the amount of
According to the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale,
hurricane activity and the most category 5 hurricanes.
a category 3 can sustains winds 111-129 mph. It
This is true due to the fact that Puerto Rico is one of
is consider to be a major hurricane that can cause
the first islands in the Hurricane Alley.
devastating damages.101 This type of hurricane can damage well-built frame homes and, electricity and water will be unavailable for several days to weeks after the storm passes.102 The bold dash lines on the map represent category 5 hurricanes. This type of hurricane can sustain 157 mph or higher winds. It is consider to cause catastrophic damages.
gets hit by hurricanes every 2.24 years.
95
Site Analysis
Image 5.02
gets hit by hurricanes every 1.99 years.
gets hit by hurricanes every 3.13 years.
Image 5.03
96
97 45
Crescent City Image 5.04 Site Analysis
NEW ORLEANS In 1699, French explorers and brothers Pierre Le
New Orleans was a difficult place to live with its
Moyne, Sieur d’Iberville and Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne,
swampy land, terrific heat and humidity. Mosquitoes
Sieur de Bienville found the mouth of the Mississippi
plagued the residents with Yellow Fever and resulted
River and established the first European settlement
in an unusually high death rate. Out of the sorrow of
on the Gulf coast called New Orleans, named after
death came a proliferation of Jazz bands that began
the Duc d’Orleans, on the high ground along the
and flourished in the city.106
Mississippi.103 Jim Crow laws of the south began to change New A four-by-eleven block area was established on the
Orleans’ multicultural nature. African-Americans and
bend of the river that became known as the French
Creoles, once a vibrant part of the city’s culture and
Quarter.
104
The people that inhabited early New
social scene, were now excluded and marginalized.
Orleans came from many groups including Native American, French, African, and Caribbean islands.
American city that started off with various ethnic
No group was dominant in the early days and there
groups for the most part getting along had become like
was a great mixing of the cultures. From this mixing
most American cities in the 50s and 60s with racial
came a unique culture that influenced food, music,
tensions that occasionally broke out into riots. New
architecture, and language. New Orleans became
Orleans remains a city of racial tension, but it seems
America’s most unique city with its multicultural
to be put to the side at some of the great events such
105
influence and joy of life attitude.
as Mardi Gras and the Jazz Festival.107
98
SOUTH FLORIDA Written records about life in Florida began with the
Later on British evacuated Florida, giving Spain control
arrival of the Spanish explorer and adventurer Juan
over it again. Many of the new residents were lured by
Ponce de León in 1513.
Ponce de León waded
favorable Spanish terms for acquiring property. Others
ashore on the northeast coast of Florida, possibly
who came were escaped slaves, trying to reach a place
near present-day St. Augustine. He called the area
where their U.S. masters had no authority. Instead of
la Florida, in honor of Pascua florida (“feast of the
becoming more Spanish, Florida increasingly became
flowers”).108
more “American.” Finally, after several official and unofficial U.S. military expeditions into the territory,
The French adventurers prompted Spain to accelerate
Spain formally ceded Florida to the United States in
her plans for colonization. Pedro Menéndez de
1821, according to terms of the Adams-Onís Treaty.111
Avilés hastened across the Atlantic, his sights set on removing the French and creating a Spanish
Florida became the twenty-seventh state in the United
settlement. Menéndez arrived in 1565 at a place he
States on March 3, 1845. By 1850 the population
called San Augustín (St. Augustine) and established
had grown to 87,445, including about 39,000 African
the first permanent European settlement in what is
American slaves and 1,000 free blacks.112
now the United States.109 World War II spurred economic development in Florida.
99
Britain gained control of Florida in 1763 in exchange
Because of its year-round mild climate, the state
for Havana, Cuba, which the British had captured from
became a major training center for soldiers, sailors,
Spain during the Seven Years’ War (1756–63). Spain
and aviators of the United States. One of the most
evacuated Florida after the exchange, leaving the
significant trends of the postwar era has been steady
province virtually empty. At that time, St. Augustine
population growth, resulting from large migrations
was still a garrison community with fewer than five
to the state from within the U.S. and from countries
hundred houses, and Pensacola also was a small
throughout the western hemisphere, notably Cuba
military town.110
and Haiti.113
Site Analysis
Image 5.05
The Sunshine State
100
Borinken Image 5.06
101 48
Site Analysis
PUERTO RICO When Christopher Columbus reached Puerto Rico in
In 1870, Puerto Rico saw the establishment of its first
1493, the island was inhabited by an Arawak Indian
political parties: The Liberal Conservative Party was
tribe known as the Taíno. The Taíno were the most
traditionalist, while the Liberal Reformist Party
recent of numerous indigenous tribes to settle the
favoured autonomy. Leading the Autonomy movement
island.114
was Luis Muñoz Rivera, the “George Washington of Puerto Rico.” It was Rivera’s determined efforts that
Columbus claimed Puerto Rico for Spain and named
gave Puerto Rico its first taste of freedom in 1897. But
it San Juan Bautista, but the Spanish would not
the Spanish-American War in 1898 brought the island
settle the island until 1508, when Juan Ponce de
under U.S. control.118
León landed on its shores and established the town of Caparra in the north of the island. A year later, he
In 1952, Puerto Rico ratified its own constitution
moved east and founded a new city that boasted a
and officially became a commonwealth, or “free
deep harbor; he called it Puerto Rico, or “Rich Port.”
associated state” of the United States. It was a time
115
This would soon become the name of the island.
of rapid modernization on the island. In 1947, Puerto Rico embarked on an industrial advancement program
The arrival of the Spanish conquistadors nearly wiped
called “Operación Manos a la Obra,” or “Operation
out the native Taíno population; their remaining
Bootstrap,” which introduced growth through external
descendants gradually merged with the Spanish
capital and tax exemptions. Coupled with US laws
settlers and the African slaves that the conquistadors
that allowed for exemption from federal taxes for
116
brought to the island.
businesses operating in Puerto Rico, Operation Bootstrap ushered in an unprecedented era of
In the 1700s, Puerto Rico’s fortunes began to change,
prosperity. The island’s agricultural backbone gave way
thanks to an agricultural boom. Sugar, tobacco and
to a new industrial economy, and it became a highly
coffee became lucrative exports that gave rise to
desirable destination for U.S. corporate interests.
a wealthy class of landowners and a labor class of
In particular, manufacturing and pharmaceuticals
country folk called the jíbaros. The jíbaro have come
companies planted deep roots on the island, so much
to be a cherished part of our social fabric, and their
so that Puerto Rico became the source for nearly all
music, culture and hardworking spirit have helped
drugs that carried the label “Made in America.”119
define modern Puerto Rico.117
102
New Orleans South Florida
CLIMATE The climate on all three regions are all very similar, warm and the winters are comfortably cool. Precipitation varies a bit in South Florida compared to the other two sites, however all three locations get a high amount of rainfall throughout the year. 103 Site Analysis
Puerto Rico
hot climate and fully humid. Summers tend to be very
Temperature[ F] o
Precipitation[in]
Image 5.07 104
105 Site Analysis
New Orleans
FLOOD ZONE Puerto Rico
South Florida
Image 5.08
50 MILES
10 MILES
2 MILES
106
South Florida Puerto Rico
SOILS tropical regions. Majority of them are clay based or hard top soils. A few are particle-size class, like Spodosols, that have a soft texture like sand. With the variation of the soil types, it will help me design the appropriate footing/base of the module shelter. 107
Site Analysis
New Orleans
Most of the soils are normally found in humid and
Image 5.09
50 MILES
10 MILES
2 MILES
108
DEMOGRAPHICS
109 Site Analysis
Image 5.10
110
The map shows the distribution and numbers of the 1.3 million individuals who filed FEMA for assistance after Hurricane Katrina 23 September 2005 111 Site Analysis
SITE ANALYSIS RESPONSE To get a better understanding of the three sites to help dictate my design process, I decided to use all the data that I have gathered to create three different scenarios.
Each scenario will showcase a major
disaster problem that prevents existing shelters from reaching out to the victims. Each scenario will provide a problem fallowing by a case study highlighting the solution. By studying each case study, it will provide me a set of guidelines to incorporate in my design process. Image 5.11
112
Scenario #1 FLOODING
As a hurricane impacts the land, a large amount of rainfall is expected. Heavy rain causes flood waters to rise and pool in streets and throughout neighbourhoods. During flooding, the greatest threat comes from a moving water. The deeper the moving water, the greater the threat. As mentioned in current disaster recovery chapter, the article â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sandy Aftermath: FEMA Trailers Sitting Unused, Despite Thousands Still Powerless In New Yorkâ&#x20AC;? by ABC News, highlights the issues of providing shelter to victims in flood zones. As the article recalls, FEMA refused to provide trailers to the victims of Hurricane Sandy because their area was flooded. This is not the first time this has happened with FEMA. Same issues arise when Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans. As showed in image 5.07, both New Orleans and Florida have a huge flood zone. New Orleans was underwater for weeks after Hurricane Katrina. It is predicted that by 2050 New Orleans will sink thirty inches.121 With hurricanes becoming more of a common occurrences, more than ever, we need shelters that can be deployed in flood zones. 113 Site Analysis 113
Image 5.12
114
CASE STUDY The FLOAT House
-By Morphosis Architects
The FLOAT House is a new kind of house: a house
An internal mechanism allows the FLOAT House to rise
that can sustain its own water and power needs; a
vertically on guide post, securely floating up to twelve
house that can survive the floodwaters generated by
feet of flooding and existing completely off the grid
a storm the size of Hurricane Katrina; and perhaps
for up to twenty-one days. In the event of a flood, the
most importantly, a house that can be manufactured
houseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s chassis acts as a raft, guided by steel masts,
122
which are anchored to the ground by two concrete pile
cheaply enough to function as low-income housing.
caps each with six 45-foot deep piles.125 The concept for the house is twofold: - to design a foundation that enables the house to function independently of the basic infrastructure and public services - to create a new house that rests on that
MAKE IT: GREEN The FLOAT House is a high-performance house that
foundation but its wholly integrated with the
generates and sustains its own water and power. This
natural environment, respectful of New
systems include:
Orleans vernacular and enriched with 123
sustainable technologies
- Solar Power Generator - Rainwater Collection - Water Efficient Systems
The penalized walls, windows, interior finishes and
- High-grade Energy Efficient Kitchen
kit-of-parts roof are prefabricated, to be assembled
- Geothermal Heating and Cooling
on-site along with the installation of fixtures and appliances.
MAKE IT: FLOAT The FLOAT House is a flood-safe house that securely floats with rising water levels. Nearly 200 million people worldwide live in high risk coastal flooding zones , and in the US alone, over 36 million people currently face the threat of flooding. This house prototype proposes a sustainable way of living that adapts to this uncertain reality.124 115 Site Analysis
Image 5.14
Image 5.13
Image 5.15
Image 5.16
Image 5.17
116
FLOAT HOUSE: Parts
FLOOR PLAN 1 FRONT PORCH 2 LIVING ROOM 3 GALLERY 4 KITCHEN 5 BEDROOM 6 BATH 7 MECHANICAL 8 GUIDE POSTS 117
Image 5.18 Site Analysis
118
Scenario #2 UNEVEN GROUND
Most of the island of Puerto Rico is covered of central interior mountain ranges. It includes the interior mountains, hills, mountain sides, and low area within the mountains. During hurricane season, this area of the island becomes the most vulnerable. Mostly because of the altitude they get hit by strong winds and large amount of rainfall creates mud-slides. The image shown is a small town in located in the middle of Puerto Rico. The town is far away from major cities. So after a hurricane passes, it becomes difficult for them to get supplies or any shelter. The fact that they live on the mountains makes it hard for majority of currently emergency shelters to be stationed forcing the victims to travel. This issues does not only occur in Puerto Rico, it is also a major issue in many islands in the Caribbean Sea. For a solution, we need a shelter that can be easily transported to this areas and be able to adjust to uneven grounds.
Image 5.19 119 Site Analysis 119
120
CASE STUDY Uber Shelter
-By Rafael Smith
Uber Shelter is an organization with the mission of
Uber Shelter is shipped flat to allow for transport
providing temporary and transitional shelter to meet
via air, sea, and land. All components that create
the needs of people displaced by natural disaster and
the modular living unit are stored inside the shelter
conflict.126 Agencies working on a transitional shelter
in its collapsed position during transport. It is then
project in Port-du-Prince have found that many parcels
taken apart and assembled on location. The shelter
of land are too small. A second story of living space was
has been designed to adapt to different situations,
provided adequate floor are per person. This shelter
terrains, and climate.
can be very quickly transported and reassemble with just a few necessary tools and provide victims with a more personal place to live. There are five points that the designer wanted to meet: - easily transportable, collapsible, and able to
ASSEMBLY PHASES Camps needs are addresses in phases.
shipped flat - built of recyclable materials and have the ability to be reused -easy to erect and assembled with few or no
Phase 1 Is to meet the basic needs of the people, providing them with the bare essentials.
tools - infrastructure can be used as a basic
Phase 2
structure, but have the capabilities to
When there is more time, funding, and personnel,
upgrade and implement modern
phase two will provide with more pleasant solutions
conveniences
and conveniences.
- stackable127 121 Site Analysis
This will include outhouse,
electricity for light, compact stove, and refrigerator.
Image 5.20
Image 5.21
Image 5.22
Image 5.23
Image 5.24
122
ASSEMBLY
collapsed shelter (4x8x2 ft)
sleeping loft
attach roof
telescoping legs Image 5.25 123 Site Analysis
assemble frame and ďŹ&#x201A;oors
attach walls and windows
vented roof ridge
shaded porch for out-door cooking
secured to ground with load-rated earth anchors
124
WINDS When a hurricane makes landfall, the shear force of hurricane strength winds can destroy buildings, topple trees, bring down power lines, and blow vehicles off roads. As mentioned earlier in the book, hurricane can sustain winds over 150 mph. Hurricane winds impact homes and other buildings in two different ways: differential pressures act on the building envelope and windborne debris may strike a building. As mentioned in current disaster recovery chapter, the article â&#x20AC;&#x153;Where did the money go in Haiti?â&#x20AC;? by WGBH News, over half a million of the earthquake victims in Haiti are still living in tents or tarps shelters. This kind of shelter cannot sustain hurricane winds. A lot of this big rescue agencies can not provide sufficient shelters to hurricane victims leaving them vulnerable for the next hurricane.
125 Site Analysis 125
Image 5.26
Scenario #3
126
CASE STUDY Tornado House
-By I0 Design
Architects at I0 Design have developed a prototype
Kevlar is a fiber used to make a variety of clothing,
house able to tackle extreme weather. Equipped with
accessories, and equipped for safe and cute resistant.
high-tech mechanisms for tornado evasion and flood
Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lightweight and extraordinarily strong, with five
resistance, Tornado House, is able to change positions
times the strength of steel on an equal-weight basis.
in order to avoid damage. It can tuck itself beneath
The architects envision entire communities of the
the ground just like a turtle retracts its vulnerable
house, where any residence can sound an alarm
head away from danger.
to warm others of approaching tornados. The first prototype is currently in development.
A system of hydraulic levers would be used to push the
127
moving structure up and down, out of a sunken dock
With the optimal environmental conditions re-
beneath the ground. When the house is secured for
established, the building emerges, exposing its
safety, a watertight seal would protect it from intense
inhabitants to open air and natural light. Ted Givens,
winds and thunderstorms. Solar cells on the exterior
a design partner at 10 Design, apparently has a
rotate and flex to maximize solar power generation,
vision of communities wired up with sensors and can
while the skin itself is composed of a translucent
process weather data to tuck away the homes in case
insulation sandwiches between two layers of Kevlar.128
of an emergency.129
Site Analysis
Image 5.27
Image 5.28
Image 5.29
Image 5.30
Image 5.31 128
Image 5.32 129 Site Analysis 129
130
FOOTNOTES 100 “Hurricane Alley Heats Up : Image of the Day.”
108 “Florida Division of Historical Resources.” A
Hurricane Alley Heats Up : Image of the Day. The
Brief History of Florida. Florida Deparment of
Earth Observatory, n.d. Web. 18 Jan. 2013. <
State - Division of Historical Resources, n.d.
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.
Web. 20 Dec. 2012. < http://www.flheritage.
php?id=5742>
com/facts/history/summary/index.cfm>
101 “Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.” Saffir-
109 Ibid
Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. NOAA/ National Weather Service, n.d. Web. 18 Jan. 2013. <
110 Ibid
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutsshws.php>
111 Ibid 102 Ibid
112 Ibid
103 “The Institute for New Orleans History and Culture: A Brief History of New Orleans.” The
113 Ibid
Institute for New Orleans History and Culture: A Brief History of New Orleans. The Institute
114 “About Puerto Rico.” History. Puerto Rico
for New Orleans History and Culture, n.d. Web.
Tourism Company, n.d. Web. 20 Dec. 2012.
20 Dec. 2012. < http://www.gmc.edu/library/
<http://www.seepuer torico.com/about/
neworleans/NOhistory.htm>
history>
104 Ibid
115 Ibid
105 Ibid
116 Ibid
106 Ibid
117 Ibid
107 Ibid
118 Ibid 119 Ibid 120 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Cities and Climate Change, 2010
131
121 Mayne, Thom, Stan Allen, and Thom Mayne.
129 Ibid
(2011) Combinatory Urbanism: The Complex Behavior of Collective Form. Culver City, CA: Stray Dog Café, p.342.
122 “The FLOAT House – Make it Right / Morphosis Architects” 02 Aug 2012. ArchDaily. Accessed 02
Feb
2013.
<http://www.archdaily.
com/259629>
123 Mayne, Thom, Stan Allen, and Thom Mayne. (2011) Combinatory Urbanism: The Complex Behavior of Collective Form. Culver City, CA: Stray Dog Café, p.346.
124 “The FLOAT House – Make it Right / Morphosis Architects” 02 Aug 2012. ArchDaily. Accessed 02
Feb
2013.
<http://www.archdaily.
com/259629>
125 Ibid 126 “Uber Shelter.” Uber Shelter. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Feb. 2013. <http://www.ubershelter.org/about. html>
127 Ibid 128 Grozdanic, Lidija. “Tornado Proof House / 10 Design.” EVolo | Architecture Magazine. EVOLO, LLC, 14 Sept. 2011. Web. 21 Oct. 2012. <http://www.evolo.us/architecture/tornadoproof-house-10-design/>. 132
IMAGE NOTES 5.01 Image by author
5.11 http://www.nytimes.com/ imagepages/2005/10/02/national/national
5.02 http://weather.unisys.com/hurricane/
special/20051002diaspora_graphic.html
atlantic/
5.03 Ibid 5.04 http://girltomom.com/gtom-love-it/reddress-run-new-orleans
5.05 http://wallpapersup.net/
5.12 http://wtcampaigns.files.wordpress. com/2012/09/flooding-tewkesbury-2007.jpg
5.13 http://www.archdaily.com/259629/make-itright-house-morphosis-architects/
5.14 Ibid
wallpapers/2012/01/miami-beachwidescreen-landscape-city-768x1024.jpg
5.06 http://transplantedtatar.wordpress.
5.15 Ibid 5.16 Ibid
com/2012/08/11/discovering-oldsan-juan-puerto-rico-two-forts-and-a-
5.17 Ibid
cemetery/20120319-dss_5930/
5.18 http://morphopedia.com/files/float-house5.07 http://travel.usnews.com/ 5.08 http://flood.firetree.net/?II=27.2742,83.6719&z=10&m=10
5.09 http://usace.maps.arcgis.com/home/item.
parts-diagram
5.19 http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/ en/1/1b/Comerio0041_0030.JPG
5.20 http://www.ubershelter.org/about.html
html?id=8e525f49a00e4c9ba7effc0040b 796b7
5.10 http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/index.html
5.21 Ibid 5.22 Ibid 5.23 Ibid
133
5.24 Ibid 5.25 Ibid 5.26 http://archive.fieldmuseum.org/museum_ info/press/images/nature3_lg.jpg
5.27 http://www.evolo.us/wp-content/ uploads/2011/09/Tornado-House-5.jpg
5.28 Ibid 5.29 Ibid 5.30 Ibid 5.31 Ibid 5.32 Ibid
134
135
136
ROBERTO ROSARIO Age: 10 Location: Mayaguez, Puerto Rico Income: None Status: Orphan
Image 6.01
EDWARD MILLER Born: 61 Location: Miami, Florida Income: $42,385 / year Status: Retired
Image 6.02
HOWARD FAMILY Maried: 18 years Location: New Orleans, Louisiana Income: $23,050 / year Status: Below Poverty Level
Image 6.03
137
USER GROUP: Most Affected In an event of a hurricane, nobody can predict how badly they are going to get hit. Everybody is vulnerable to lose their homes, however there are some few users that are more vulnerable than others. Roberto Rosario is a ten year old boy who bacame an orphan couple years ago. He currently lives in an orphanage in a small town in Puerto Rico. In an event of a hurricane, if the orphanage gets destroyed, he would not have no family memeber to go to for help. Edward Miller is a retired salesman who moved to Florida to enjoy the rest of his retirement. Like many people his age, he has many health issues like arthritis and diabetes. In an event of a hurricane, if a flooding occurs, he would have difficulty to reach a safe zone. Without his medicine, he would not be able to survive long without assistance The Howard Family live near the Lower 9th Warth where they affected badly by Hurricane Katrina. They lost their home and are currently still living in a FEMA trailer because they dont have enough money to get a new house. In a event of a hurricane, if New Orleans becomes flooded again, they will lose their current home once again and become homeless.
138
WHAT IS THE TRANSITIONAL SHELTER APPROACH? Transitional shelter provides a habitable, covered living space and a secure, healthy living environment, with privacy and dignity to those within it during the period of natural disaster and the achievement of a durable shelter solution.130 It is not intended to replace emergency shelter or permanent housing but rather offer support to the affected population incrementally in response to a natural disaster. Transitional shelter can be categorised into four shelter types:
Image 6.04
A transitional shelter programme can consist of a combination of different transitional shelter types in order to best support the affected population.
139 Program Development
QUALITATIVE A transitional shelter offers different kind of
LIVING SPACE
programming compared to a emergency shleter or
- Sleeping
permanent housing. The shelter needs to provide the
- Living Area
basic needs for the victims to be able to continue their
- Storage
lives while they trnasition to a permament shelter.
- Dressing / Bath - Cooking - Entrance
SHELTER
- Utility (Electric, HVAC, Pluming)
The living space is a very important in the design process. It needs to be compact and at the same time be able to facilitate a dignify space for the victims. As mentioned in Standard for a Shelter chapter, the minimum surface are per person in 3.5m2 which translate to 37.6ft2.
Using this guidelines, I can
accomodate the appropiate amount of spaceing for the shelter depending on thje number of people living in it.
Image 6.05
140
PROGRAM DIAGRAM Connected Adjacent Private Public
141
Image 6.06 Program Development
QUANTITATIVE The inner radius indicates the connections and adjacencies between programming. Fallowing by the spatial quality between private and public spaces and required floor area. At the far ends of the circle are images of compact spaces that will be integrated within my shelter.
Image 6.07 142
FOOTNOTES 130 Corsellis, T. and Vitale A. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Case Study No.5: Transitional shelter: understanding shelter from emergency through reconstuction and beyond,â&#x20AC;? 2010
143
IMAGE NOTES 6.01 http://www.pathhelps.org/wp-content/ uploads/2011/11/hispanic-child.jpg
6.02 http://havebiblewillpreach.com/wpcontent/uploads/2012/11/homeless_ portraiture_02.png
6.03 http://news.streetroots.org/sites/ default/files/wordpress/wp-content/ uploads/2009/06/jcherry-1-6.jpg
6.04 Image done by author 6.05 <http://www.spherehandbook.org/en/howto-use-this-chapter-2/>
6.06 Image done by author 6.07 Image done by author
144
145
146
INTRODUCTION The modular home has been a subject of great
sustainable strategies, the modular prefab home
interest since the beginning of the last century and
promises
has historically been an area of both innovation and
optimized quality control, material cost reduction, and
failure. As mass production of homes grew out of the
reduction of onsite waste and construction time.
boom years following the Second World War, architects
Tying it in with the need of disaster relief as a result of
and builders sought efficiencies and new methods for
recent destruction of Katrina and Haiti, as mentioned
designing, constructing, and delivering homes to meet
earlier, there has been an increase in rebuilding
growing market demands and shifts in population away
efforts with effective homebuilding techniques and
from urban centers. The call for the industrialization
delivery methods which elevated the issues of mass
and prefabrication of architecture became conflated
production and modular construction to the forefront.
material
and
resource
efficiencies, 135
with modular strategies that increased the design flexibility while allowing for individual customization.
A relevant example is the Katrina Cottage designed
131
by Marianne Cusato as a response for the Hurricane Katrina victims as a dignified alternative to the
The Temporary Housing Programmed Act was instigated
FEMA trailers.
The Katrina Cottage is a typically
by the British government in 1943 at the end of the
small, ranging from less than 500 square feet up to
WWII to address housing shortage. Standardization
about 1,000 square feet. These cottages are prefab
became the key to speed, economy, and flexibility.
houses constructed from factory-made panels. For
There were four main house-production: the Arcon:
this reason, Katrina Cottages can be built quickly and
the AIROH, the Uni-Seco, and the Tarran, all similar
economically. These homes meet the International
in layout but different in construction materials and
Building Code and most hurricane codes.136
methods. 132 The UK Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, promised 500,000 temporary new homes, although
Another example of modular architecture is the
only 156,623 were actually produced between 1945
2002 British Government Classrooms of the Future.
133
The houses would be prefabricated
Initiative pursued to create a new kind of mobile
in sections, in factories no longer needed for war
school buildings that would bring together factory-
production, transported to where they were needed
based manufacturing and the latest ideas in teaching
and â&#x20AC;&#x153;boltedâ&#x20AC;? together on site, in a fraction of the time
environments.
it would take to build a conventional house. 134
integrated with the latest teaching methods.
and 1949.
137
The pods are prefabricated and The
classrooms can function independently to the rest
147
More recently, with the arrival of new digital fabrication
of the school and its structural skin is created of
technologies and a renewed public interest in
fiberglass and balsa wood.
Modular Architecture
Image 7.01 148
PORTABLE ARCHITECTURE Portable buildings have been in use since humankind
packaged into a small volume for transportation
first began to build, yet because of their impermanent
overseas.
nature it is only comparatively recently that they began to be perceived as architecture.
138
We now
Today, the portable architecture movement is an
are recognizing them for their finely tuned response
international
and
fast-developing
phenomenon,
to the environment, social, and cultural conditions.
taking its source from the nomadic lifestyle of ancient
Some of the sophisticated construction techniques
communities and adding to it the technology of the
and complex habitation patterns that have not only
modern world. As time has passed, the idea of portable
retained their relevance for thousands of years but
architecture has evolved. As Jude Steward, a social
are linked to some of the most sophisticated building
media consultant, describes portable architecture:
patterns of the present day. “In the fast-growing category of “mobile A relevant example is the Bedouin tent. It incorporates
architecture,” buildings pull up stakes and
compressive struts and tensile membranes that
go places; factories assemble custom
utilize the same principles as modern tensile
housing and whisk it to ready-made sites;
engineering systems.
139
The Asian yurt uses modular
materials work smarter and harder toward
manufacturing techniques and a geodesic-based
sustainability; temporary structures respond
wall structure that are familiar twentieth century
more readily to our desire for mobility,
constructional strategies. 140
from disaster aid to ad hoc celebrations; and out of collective sense if place, itself,
Portable architecture consists of structures that are
and society shifts.” 143
intended for easy erection on a site remote from their manufacturer.141 In 1830 John Manning, a
Advances in architectural technology do make more
carpenter and builder, conceived the first documented
buildings forms available to the designer, but there
prefabricated house called: Manning Portable Colonial
are other factors that affect the generation of those
Cottage. The cottage became a commercial success,
forms and they are usually more powerful, such as
and Manning developed several models of varying
economic, social, cultural, and aesthetic issues.
size and cost, testifying to the fact that the houses
Technology is a driving force, but it tends to drive
were provisioned for clients across a range of incomes
society first and architecture, as its servant, follows
and to the notion that the prefabricated house could
behind. 144 We need to embrace more the technology
be a measure of status in the colonial setting.
142
was a prefabricated timber building that could be 149 Modular Architecture
It
and start building in controlled environments. Particularly, housing prefabrication is seen as a route
towards greater efficiency and faster provisions. Jennifer Siegal, principal and founder of Office of Mobile Design, says Factory-built prefab lets architects “think about buildings like a product designer does” 145
In United States, a typical construction site throws
away thirty percent of the materials, whereas in a factory ninety nine percent of those materials get used or recycles into a new project. For disaster relief should be a responsive, supporting strategy that enables local people to direct their own 146
needs.
Image 7.02
The architecture should be flexible and
integrate the requirements of the present with the possibility to adapt to changing situations in the future. An example is an emergency shelter design by Rafael Smith. “This project is a shelter solution that meets the needs of emergency response but also provides victims with a more personal place to live; a base unit that can serve as a very basic shelter but also have the capabilities to upgrade and implement modern infrastructure. This shelter is also stackable. Many alternative housing solutions deal with small scale but can’t cope with large scale displaced populations.” 147
Image 7.03
The shelter is made of recyclable and reusable
materials.
150
151
Image 7.04
CASE STUDY House Arc An innovative module in the market is the House Arc by Hawaii-based firm Bellomo Architects. The lightweight metal structure is ideal as emergency housing because it can be transported and assembled quickly. “We designed it to be a kit of parts house that can be assembled quickly – like prefab furniture,” says architect Joseph Bellono. 148
Image 7.05
The system is designed to be flat-packed and shipped in a box measuring four feet by ten feet by three feet. Once on site, it can easily be easily assembled. The structure stands on four concrete footings which also allows air to flow underneath it for cooling.
It can
withstand tropical winds and features a roof design that supports solar panels.
Image 7.06
152
FOOTNOTES 131 William McDonough + Partners. “The Flow
137 Kronenburg, Robert. (2007) Flexible: Archi-
House Adaptive Modularity.” Modular Build-
tecture That Responds to Change. London:
ing Institute. Modular Building Institute, 3 Oct.
Laurence King, p.36.
2012. Web. 13 Oct. 2012. <http://www.modular.org/htmlPage.aspx?name=Flow_House>
138 Kronenburg, Robert. (2008) Portable Architecture: Design and Technology. Basel:
132 Kronenburg, Robert. (2007) Flexible: Architec-
Birkhäuser, p.8.
ture That Responds to Change. London: Laurence King, p.36
133 Gilbert, Clive. “PREFABS – THE SOLUTION TO A
139 Ibid, p.8. 140 Ibid, p.8.
HOUSING CRISIS.” Epsom and Ewell History Explorer. N.p., 2011. Web. 13 Oct. 2012. <http://
141 Ibid, p.8.
www.epsomandewellhistoryexplorer.org.uk/ MoreOnPrefabs.pdf>
142 “Manning Portable Colonial Cottage for Emigrants (1833-1840).” Housing.com. Housing.
134 Gilbert, Clive. “PREFABS – THE SOLUTION TO A
com, LLC., n.d. Web. 14 Oct. 2012. <http://
HOUSING CRISIS.” Epsom and Ewell History Ex-
www.housing.com/categories/homes/his-
plorer. N.p., 2011. Web. 13 Oct. 2012. <http://
tory-prefabricated-home/manning-portable-
www.epsomandewellhistoryexplorer.org.uk/
colonial-cottage-emigrants-1833-1840.html>
MoreOnPrefabs.pdf>
143 Stewart, Jude, William J. Mitchell, and Jen135 William McDonough + Partners. “The Flow
nifer Siegal. (2008) More Mobile: Portable
House Adaptive Modularity.” Modular Build-
Architecture for Today. New York: Princeton
ing Institute. Modular Building Institute, 3 Oct.
Architectural, p.6.
2012. Web. 13 Oct. 2012. <http://www.modular.org/htmlPage.aspx?name=Flow_House>
144 Kronenburg, Robert. (2007) Flexible: Architecture That Responds to Change. London:
136 “2006 - Present: Katrina Cottages.” About. com Architecture. About.com, n.d. Web. 14 Oct. 2012. <http://architecture.about.com/od/periodsstyles/ig/House-Styles/Katrina-Cottage. htm> 153
Laurence King, p.90.
145 Stewart, Jude, William J. Mitchell, and Jennifer Siegal. (2008) More Mobile: Portable Architecture for Today. New York: Princeton Architectural, p.7.
146 Kronenburg, Robert. (2007) Flexible: Architecture That Responds to Change. London: Laurence King, p.110.
147 “Uber Shelter.” Uber Shelter : An Emergency Shelter in Disastrous Events. Tuvie Futuristic Technology, n.d. Web. 14 Oct. 2012. <http://www.tuvie.com/uber-shelteran-emergency-shelter-in-disastrous-events/>
148 “Bike Arc Products :: House Arc.” House Arc. Bike Arc, LLC., n.d. Web. 21 Oct. 2012. <http://www.bikearc.com/houseArc.html>
154
IMAGE NOTES 7.01 http://architecture.about.com/od/ periodsstyles/ig/House-Styles/KatrinaCottage.htm
7.02 http://www.flickr.com/photos/cymro76/ sets/72157605370281317/detail/?page=2
7.03 http://srd364lvb.blogspot.com/2008/08/ mobile-classroom.html
7.04 http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/31/ garden/bellomo-architects-have-designedthe-house-arc-a-kit-shelter.html
7.05 http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/31/ garden/bellomo-architects-have-designedthe-house-arc-a-kit-shelter.html
7.06 http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/31/ garden/bellomo-architects-have-designedthe-house-arc-a-kit-shelter.html
155
156
157
158
Catastrophic e a new kind of p 159 147
Joseph Bruno, New York City Office of
events require planning Emergency Management
Image 8.01 160
Image 8.02
161
Image 8.04 Schematic Design
Image 8.03
CONCEPT MODELS The goal is to design a prefabricated living module that snaps together and is easily assembled, transported, and adaptive to diverse terrain.
This project is a
shelter solution that meets the needs of emergency response, but also provides victims with a more personal place to live. There are four points that I will be focusing during the design of this shelter. The shelter must be: - easily transportable, collapsible and able to be shipped flat - easy to erect and assembled with a few or no tools - modular: to be able to accommodate different social and cultural context - able to meet the three scenarios : - Wind - Flood - Uneven Ground
162
Image 8.05
Image 8.06 163 Schematic Design
FORM EXPLORATION For form exploration, I started with a simple geometry and began to insert parameters to manipulate it. The matrix begins to dictate some of the parameters.
- All three cities have an urban context, which means space is going to be limited. I begin to squeeze the square and make it to a rectangle to be able to fit into compact spaces. - Puerto Rico also has rural context, which allows me to still use the square.
- Puerto Rico and New Orleans share the same social characteristics of having multiple family memebers under one household. However, poverty rates are high on both locations. The shelter now needs to begin to expand to accomodate multiple people but also incorporate energy and water saving systems. - Florida has a low number on members per household and a high rate of retirees within the state. For this location, I can shrink the shelter and beging to accomodate for the elderly.
- New Orleans and Florida have two common scenarios: flood and wind. To tackel wind, I begin to curve the rectabgle to even out wind distribution. For flood, I begin to elevate the shelter off the ground. - Puerto rico has two scenarios: wind and uneven ground. For wind I begin to curve as I did for the other locations. However, for uneven ground I incorporate stilts that can adapt to the uneven terrain.
164
CONCEPT SKETCHES
Image 8.07
Image 8.08
Image 8.09
Image 8.10
Image 8.11 165 Schematic Design
Image 8.12
Image 8.13
Image 8.14
Image 8.15
Image 8.16
Image 8.17 166
MASSING DIAGRAMS
DESIGN BEGINS
SMO
OTH D
OWN
PUSH UP
PUSH OUT
PUSH IN
PUSH OUT
PUSH OUT PUSH UP
SLOPE UP WIN
D
D
WIN
PUSH UP
PUSH DOWN
PUSH DOWN
OPTION 1
Image 8.18 167 Schematic Design
OPTION 3
OPTION 2
FUNCTION DIAGRAMS OPTION 1 Aerodynamics
The form provides vertical space to place a second floor within the module Floors are elevated up to create space for structure and run power and water utilities
By angling the roof plane, I can begin to play with the angles for natural lighting and openings
By placing the bath in the center of the floor plan, it automatically creates a divide between public and private spaces Facing the kitchen to the living and eating space, it creates an open floor plan and allows flexibility
OPTION 2
Slopping the roof will allow water collection
By manipulation the floor plane, begin to create levels within the floor plan to use the overall space efficiently
OPTION 3
Adding a floor plane on top of the core, allows me to add more space to accomodate bigger familes
Image 8.19
Stilts for ďŹ&#x201A;oods and uneven ground Creating a utility core in the middle of the floor plan, allows me to minimize the use of partition walls
Bending the floor plane into a upsidown V and elevating the floor, it allows me to 168 incorporate a structure system where stilts can be places on for floods and uneven ground
MODULAR SYSTEMS Master Plan 1 MODULE DIAGRAM
IN
SH
PUSH IN
PU
PUS
H IN
COMMUNITY SPACE
COMMUNITY EXPLORATION Image 8.21
SH
PU
T
OU
SH
PU
Image 8.20 169 Schematic Design
FORM EXPLORATION Image 8.22
T
OU
OPTION 1
Image 8.23
CIRCULATION HOUSE UNIT 2
HOUSE UNIT 1
COMMUNITY SPACE (BTWEEN 2 SHELTERS)
OPTION 2
Image 8.24 CIRCULATION
COMMUNITY SPACE HOUSE UNIT 1
(BTWEEN 3 SHELTERS)
170
MODULAR SYSTEMS Master Plan 2 MODULE DIAGRAM
COMMUNITY SPACE
COMMUNITY EXPLORATION & FORM EXPLORATION
Image 8.26
COMMUNITY SPACE
171
Image 8.25 Schematic Design
COMMUNITY EXPLORATION & FORM EXPLORATION
Image 8.27
OPTION 1
Image 8.28
HOUSE UNIT 2
HOUSE UNIT 1
CIRCULATION
COMMUNITY SPACE (BTWEEN 3 SHELTERS)
OPTION 2
Image 8.29 COMMUNITY SPACE (BTWEEN 3 SHELTERS)
HOUSE UNIT 1
CIRCULATION
172
CASE STUDY Watervilla de Omval The houseboat is currently located in Amstel River of Amsterdam. The client wanted a boat with an open floor plan where they enjoy the views to the water. Programing : 1 Jetty 2 Entrance 3 Toilet 4 Kitchen 5 Living Area 6 Floating Terrace 7 Bedroom 8 Study 9 Hall 10 Bathroom 11 Technical Area 12 Guestroom 13 Ballast 14 Storage
Image 8.31
173
Schematic Design
Image 8.30
+31 Architects
FLOODING SYSTEM FLOATING MODULES
PRE-DISASTER
WATER LEVELS BEGIN TO RISE
CABLE STRUCTURE
HIGH FLOOD ZONE
POST-DISASTER
Image 8.32
174
CASE STUDY Micro Compact Home Image 8.33
The Micro Compact Home is design to be lightweight and off gris prefabricated home that can be transported and assemble with easy. It is intended to be adjustable to any kind of terrain and location.
Image 8.34
175
Schematic Design
Richard Horden
UNEVEN GROUND SYSTEM CURRENT SHELTERS
RE-DESIGN
NEW DWELLING UNITS
Image 8.35
176
PASSIVE SYSTEMS SOLAR POWER
COLLECT SOLAR ENERGY
CONVERT TO ELECTRICITY
SOLAR PANELS
CHARGER CONTROLLER
Image 8.36
INVERTER
BATTERY
WATER COLLECTION
RAIN WATER COLLECTOR
CONVERT TO GREYWATER
FILTER
177
Image 8.37 Schematic Design
RECYCLE THE GREYWATER
POWER
WASTE TREATMENT
SELF-CONTAINED COMPOSITE TOILET
TOILET
EXHAUST PIPE
COMPOSITE CHAMBERS
CHAMBERS ACCESS DOOR
Image 8.38
After a hurricane, a city loses its power source, water source, and its waste system. The modules should be able to function off the grid while the city repair itself from the destruction. 178
CASE STUDY Interiors
Image 8.39
The interiors of the modules should break away from the typical shelters. I began to explore the fusion of elements, forms and textures, where floors, walls and furniture become one continuous surface; one seamless skin. Every single element merges and flows, from bedroom doors with LED lights, bathtubs and vanity units to beds, shelves and chairs.
179
Schematic Design
Image 8.40
Image 8.41
Image 8.42
Image 8.43
180
ERGONOMICS InďŹ&#x201A;uence 84 - 112in
max. personal space communication factor
58 - 80in
13 - 16in
6 -9in
13 - 16in 16 - 18in
sight
eye level
lines
42 - 48in
LIVING AREA
eye level
s
sight line
28in
28in
14 - 17in
12 - 18in
3 - 6in
28in
90 - 96in
42in
36 - 42in
18 - 24in
9in
16in
18 - 24in
40in
9in
24in
16in
10in
16in
29 - 30in
16 - 17in
7.5in
19in
EATING
24in
minimum ta le
73in
2.5in
2in
6in
2.5in
i th
6in
e
78in 73in
2.5in
18 -22in
storage
44 - 46in
un
48in
44 - 46in
64 - 74in
48in
2.5in
18 - 22in
recommen e
104in
single
minimum ceiling height
LEE ING
36in
40 - 44in
24in
46 - 62in
e s
ou le
e
78in
min. counter space for either si e of sin
28 - 42in 24 - 26in
min. counter space for either si e of range
12in
12in
40in or
one counter
or
one refrigerator
40in min. clearance et een counter an all
35 - 36in
22in
18in
all ca inet
ING
36in
Image 8.44 Schematic Design
42in
12in
42in
36in
12in
24in
ll
72in
18in
AT
- 50in
181
24 - 26in
40in or
one counter
or
one refrigerator
40in min. clearance et een counter an all
35 - 36in
22in
ING
18in
all ca inet
36in
42in
12in
42in
36in
12in
24in
24in activity one
16in
12 - 18in line of all
40 - 50in
72in
18in
AT
24in circulation
one
52in
52in ater closet
sho er
ater closet
sho er
Image 8.45
The
main
features
of
ergonomics,
i.e.
its
humanocentricity and interdisciplinary nature are also main features of the broad understanding of architecture. I began to look in ergonomics as a driving factor for my interiors spaces. The modules are going to be small compact spaces, so I need to create a working and living spaces that is fitting and comfortable for the inhabitant.
182
IMAGE NOTES 8.01 http://deepho.files.wordpress.
8.17 Image done by author
com/2009/04/wasteland.jpg
8.18 Image done by author 8.02 Image done by author 8.03 Image done by author 8.04 Image done by author
8.19 Image done by author 8.20 http://www.flickr.com/photos/ elijahporter/5329334252/
8.05 Image done by author
8.21 Image done by author
8.06 Image done by author
8.22 Image done by author
8.07 Image done by author
8.23 Image done by author
8.08 Image done by author
8.24 Image done by author
8.09 Image done by author
8.25 http://mathworld.wolfram.com/Tessellation. html
8.10 Image done by author 8.26 Image done by author 8.11 Image done by author 8.27 Image done by author 8.12 Image done by author 8.28 Image done by author 8.13 Image done by author 8.29 Image done by author 8.14 Image done by author 8.30 http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg62/ 8.15 Image done by author
witchyhoy3/0aaa/dezeen_Watervilla-deOmval-by-31-Architects-1.jpg
8.16 Image done by author 183
IMAGE NOTES 8.31 http://www.arthitectural.com/wp-content/
8.42 http://www.archello.com/sites/default/
uploads/2011/07/31ARCHITECTS-watervilla-
files/imagecache/media_image/story/
de-omval-section-1-3.jpg
media/1074_puert_phot_06.jpg
8.32 Image done by author
8.43 http://www.hasenkopf.de/typo3temp/GB/ Hasenkopf_PW_Referenzen_ZIsland_01-
8.33 http://www.topboxdesign.com/wp-content/
da2b8fa0c3.jpg
uploads/2011/03/micro-compact-home-mch-design-Exterior-2.jpg
8.44 Image done by author
8.34 http://prefabcosm.com/media/
8.45 Image done by author
photos/2008/01/10/microcompact2.jpg
8.35 Image done by author 8.36 Image done by author 8.37 Image done by author 8.38 Image done by author 8.39 http://www.archello.com/sites/default/ files/imagecache/media_image/story/ media/1074_puert_phot_06.jpg
8.40 http://ad009cdnb.archdaily.net/wp-content/ uploads/2011/10/1319491846-mg-5579401x500.jpg
8.41 http://ilkoboddeke.files.wordpress. com/2013/03/dezeen_folio-staircase-bydisguincio-and-co_3.jpg?w=468&h=624 184
185
186
â&#x20AC;&#x153;â&#x20AC;ŚI really do be technology ne approached as not as a scienc technology in a but it is a desig 187
Greg Lynn
elieve that eeds to be s a medium; ce, not as a and of itself; gn mediumâ&#x20AC;? 188
MAS PLAN 189 Design Development
STER N Image 9.01 190
...clean slate Neighborhoods disapear once a hurricane hits. There is no grid, just a clean slate. In order to place my modules accordingly, I created a master plan that will bring back order to the site. My master plan wil not only give a guideline to where to place the modules, but it is also designed to create a sense of community for the victims.
191
Image 9.02 Design Development
Aftermath of Hurricane Katrina 192
CASE STUDY Military Base Layout
Image 9.03
Image 9.04 193 Design Development
If you look typical refugee camps, all you see is rows of trailers or tents. There is no sense of community or hope in these camps. I believe it is important to encourage the victims to gather and help each other in order to move forward from the tragic event. I began to study military camps and how they are laid out. At first glance you see several blocks next to each other. One the blocks is the community resource center where they eat, get health care services, laundry and other resources. At you look closer to the blocks, you see clusters of sleeping units with a share bathroom and play area in the middle. This middle space becomes the community space for the soldiers living in this block.
Community Circulation Dwelling Units
194
MASTER PLAN Concept
Community Circulation Image 9.05
195 Design Development
Dwelling Blocks
Image 9.06
196
MASTER PLAN Diagrams
Image 9.07
Image 9.08
Typical military grid
Breaking the grid Typical military grid + Concept
Image 9.09
Image 9.10
Community nodes
New grid
Community
Dwelling Blocks 197
Design Development
Community One diamond holds 17 module units
Circulation Dwelling Units Image 9.11 Community Pavilion
Community Cooking
SUPPLY CENTER HEALTH LAUNDRY
Neighborhood Community Diagram Image 9.12
Personal
198
MASTER PLAN
Image 9.13 199 Design Development
When a hurricane hits, one can not predict the amount of damage that is going to leave behind, nor the space I would have to place my modules. It is important that the grid is flexible and able to adjust depending on the site conditions. The master plan is derived from a tessellation pattern so it has the flexibility to adjust depending on the site. Within the pattern, I was able to create atypical grid that will allow the victims to move around freely between the modules and community spaces.
200
PERSPECTIVE Community Cooking
201
Image 9.14 Design Development
202
FLOO PLAN 203 Design Development
OR NS Image 9.15 204
FLOOR PLAN Concept Community Circulation Dwelling Units
Dwelling un
Dwelling units will become the guideline for the floor plans Image 9.16 205 Design Development
nits will become the
Image 9.17 206
FLOOR PLAN Dwelling Unit 1 - Houses 1-2 people - 3 Modules - 328 sqft
11
44
3
22
FIRST FLOOR 0
2’
4’
8’
66
55
SECOND FLOOR Image 9.18 207
Design Development
MODULE 2
LEGEND 1. Cleaning 2. Cooking 3. Eating 4. Living 5. Sleeping 6. Storage
MODULE 1 (core)
MODULE 3
Image 9.19 208
FLOOR PLAN Dwelling Unit 2 - Houses 3-4 people - 3 Modules - 355 sqft
7
6
55
11
55
4
3
FIRST FLOOR 0
2’
4’
Image 9.20 209 Design Development
8’
22
MODULE 4
LEGEND 1. Cleaning 2. Cooking 3. Eating 4. Living 5. Sleeping 6. Working 7. Storage
MODULE 5
MODULE 1 (core)
Image 9.21 210
FLOOR PLAN Dwelling Unit 3 - Houses 5-6 people - 4 Modules - 477 sqft
7 6 5 1 2
6 7
4
5
3
FIRST FLOOR 0
2’
4’
8’
7 5
SECOND FLOOR
211
Image 9.22 Design Development
MODULE 4
MODULE 5
LEGEND 1. Cleaning 2. Cooking 3. Eating 4. Living 5. Sleeping 6. Working 7. Storage
MODULE 1 (core)
MODULE 3
Image 9.23 212
FORM EXPLORATION
Dwelling Unit 1
Dwelling Unit 2
Dwelling Unit 3 213
Design Development
Image 9.24
Image 9.25 214
MODULE FUNCTIONS Details
Dwelling Unit 1
Dwelling Unit 2
Dwelling Unit 3
aerodynamics x ventilation
rain water collection x water reservoir
thin film solar cells x energy storage
openings on the walls of the skin
rain water will be collected through the
the thin film solar cells are used to collect
will promote air movement and
openings on the roof and will be directed
and store power for the modules to work off
natural ventilation
down to the reservoir
grid
215
Image 9.26 Design Development
solar energy energy gets collected from the solar cells and transfer to
a
battery where it converts to electric power
dump valve connection to the dump trunk
grey water tank water gets filtered and
black water tank
recycled to be used again
water from the toilet
in sink, shower, and toilet
will be stored here until a waste truck empties the tank
flood base unit this plug in is a buoyant surface that will allow the dwellings to float during flooding. at the same time it will house the water and electric systems. the base will reshape according to the dwelling unit.
Image 9.27 216
PERSPECTIVE Interior
217
Image 9.28 Design Development
218
CROSS SECTION Details 2’
opening for cross ventilation
2’
2’
water reservoir
Dwelling Unit 1 02
219
Image 9.29 Design Development
’4
’8
’
2’
welded pipe
2’
2’
solar storage and integrated energy inverter
2’
panel
2’
2’
2’
grey water tank
2’
2’
2’
2’
2’
2’
2’
14’
10’
8’
6’
4’
2’
black water tank
plywood construction structure glass panel
opening for rain water collection system
220
CROSS SECTION Details
2’
2’
2’
glass panel
2’
2’
2’
opening for rain water collection system
water reservoir
Dwelling Unit 2 02 221
Image 9.30 Design Development
’4
’8
2’
’
2’
2’
2’
solar storage and integrated energy inverter
2’
2’
panel
2’
2’
2’
2’
2’
2’
2’
2’
2’
2’
2’
2’
2’
2’
2’
14’
8’
6’
4’
2’
grey water tank
black water tank
welded pipe structure
plywood construction structure
opening for cross ventilation
222
CROSS SECTION Details
2’
2’
2’
2’
2’
2’
2’
2’
water reservoir glass panel
Dwelling Unit 3 02 Image 9.31 223 Design Development
’4
’8
’
2’
2’
2’
opening for rain water collection system
2’
2’
2’
solar storage and integrated energy inverter
2’
panel
2’
2’
2’
2’
2’
2’
2’
2’
2’
2’
2’
2’
2’
2’
2’
2’
14’
10’ 8’ 6’
4’ 2’
grey water tank
black water tank
welded pipe structure
plywood construction structure
opening for cross ventilation
224
CONSTRUCTION SYSTEMS Details
exterior fiber-glass panels
STEP 1 fasten panels
welded pipe structure
STEP 2 tape seams waffle structure
interior fiber-glass panel
convertional timber structure for floor system float base unit
Image 9.32 225 Design Development
STEP 3 tape corners
ZIP SYSTEM TAPE advanced acrylic adhesive is made of highly polar molecules, meaning a magnetic-like attraction pulls the adhesive into ZIP System panels. this will be use to connent the modules together Image 9.33
MODULE 3 sleeping space
MODULE 1 cleaning and cooking space
MODULE 2 living and eating space
each module will be pre-frabricate off-site with interior walls and furnishing. it will then be assemble once it arrives on site. Image 9.34
226
ECONOMIC TRANSPORTATION
227
Image 9.35 Design Development
228
MODULE LIFECYCLE
Image 9.36 229 Design Development
230
PERSPECTIVE Master Plan
231
Image 9.37 Design Development
232
PERSPECTIVE Floating Modules
Image 9.38 233 Design Development
234
FINAL BOARDS
Image 9.39 235 Design Development
236
IMAGE NOTES 9.01 http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5087/532933
9.12 Image done by author
4252_37a630b2d3_z.jpg
9.13 Image done by author 9.02 http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/ commons/4/42/Hurricane_katrina_
9.14 Image done by author
damage_gulfport_mississippi.jpg
9.15 Image done by author 9.03 http://www.interworks.eu/images/ Generic%20Camp%20Layout%20-%20
9.16 Image done by author
Long%20-%2010k%20-%206%20person%20 families.gif
9.04 http://www.interworks.eu/images/
9.17 Image done by author 9.18 Image done by author
Generic%20Block%20layout%20for%20 1250%20persons.gif
9.05 http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5087/532933
9.19 Image done by author 9.20 Image done by author
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9.21 Image done by author 9.06 http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5087/532933 4252_37a630b2d3_z.jpg
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At the initial onset of this thesis, it became evident
However this project only used conventional materials.
that there is a lack of suitable planning for post-
I quickly realized if I wanted my shelter to be efficient,
disasters.
Many of the current shelters have not
lightweight and strong enough to resist future
proven to be efficient solution for housing hurricane
hurricanes, I needed to explore other material options.
victims. Yet in the architecture world, we do not fully engage the advancements of technology to design a
In the Current Disaster Recovery chapter, I researched
better shelter.
the most well-known rescue organizations like FEMA and found many flaws not only within the organization,
After investigating several books, I became intrigued
but the shelters that they provide to the victims. In one
with the relationship of digital fabrication and
of the articles that I wrote talks about FEMA refusing to
architecture.
Digital fabrication has been strong
send trailers to Hurricane Sandy victims because the
influences in many industries like product design
shelters would fail on flooded land. As I looked closer
and furniture design for several decades. However,
to FEMA and other organizations, I quickly realized
this kind of design process is now slowly emerging in
what current shelters were lacking on. As I kept
the architecture world. Considering the use of digital
discovering more flaws, my concept began to develop.
fabrication methods, it became clear to me that I
By the end of the chapter I had a clear objective on
should focus my thesis into the relationship between
what I want my shelter to achieve. I translated these
design and production.
objectives into three different scenarios: Flooding, Uneven Ground, and Winds. At the end of my thesis,
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In the beginning of my research, I was shocked at the
I want my shelter to be able to adapt to these three
rapid increase of natural disasters per year. I realized I
scenarios.
don’t only need to design a better shelter, but it should
As the project progressed forward, I was able to achieve
also be able to be fabricated quickly and transport it
the three scenarios along with sustainable functions
easily. One of the case studies that explore the idea
of generations their own power and water. At the end
of using digital fabrication as a relief effort for natural
of my thesis I did not only accomplished all the goals
disasters is “The Instant House” by Marcel Bortha
I set in the beginning of my thesis, but I also redesign
and Lawerence D. Sass from MIT’s Department of
the notion of an emergency shelter. Even though my
Architecture. The project fallows the notion of mass
design is set for a more futuristic motion, I believe it
customization and fast assembly. This case study
addresses a better solution for disaster recovery and
became the initial spark of my design process.
set a new standards for emergency shelters.
Thesis Conclusion
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