The aim of this Thesis project was to explore the prefabrication process in relation to mass housing in more detail. This piece of research began by looking at the origins and philosophy of prefabricated housing, in order to understand where the method has its roots and how the technologies and ideas have transformed over the years. Authors of this subject such as Davies (2006) suggest that it is Le Corbusier who initiated the idea of prefabricated mass-housing, with the Dom-Ino house being the first examples of this. Although the scheme was never intended to be prefabricated as such - the idea of elements coming together in such a way that maximum flexibility and repetition was achieved represented a change in approach to the issue of mass housing. Essentially encapsulating the idea of a machine for living. These ideas followed through into projects such as Villa Citrohen (1920) and the unrealised Immeubles Villas (1925). Prefabrication is making a resurgence and moving away from the negative connotations of failed postwar housing projects. The possibilities today seem endless with projects being built higher, quicker and becoming more technologically advanced. The question now is how can these methods become standard to address the worlds housing shortages without becoming a generic response. The research now explores three case studies of prefabricated housing projects that utilise different materials in order to asses the process and merits of each in order to influence the second part of this Thesis project which looks at revisiting the original proposals but using a more informed choice of prefabricated method.
The Origins
The Possibilities
Degrees of Prefabrication
Philosophy Prefabricatio n
Three precedents were selected that demonstrated a prefabricated method of construction using three separate materials in order to analyise and critique there success in off site manufactured housing.
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Habitat 67 Moshe Safdie Montreal, Canada 1967
Stadthaus Waugh Thistleton Architects Hackney, London 2012
Broadway Stack Gluck+ New York, USA 2013
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P r e f ab r i c at i o n Precedents
c o n c r e t e These diagrams show how the floor plans alter as you move up the scheme. The circulaion is also shown to demonstrate how the apartments are accessed.
Twelvth Floor Plan 1:2500
First Floor Plan 1:2500
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Fifth Floor Plan 1:500
Fifth Floor Plan 1:500
First Floor Plan 1:500
First Floor Plan 1:500
PlanAnalysis Plan and Section
c o n c r e t e Folowing on from the floor plans the sections give an understanding how the stacking of the prefabricated elements are achieved and how this then relates to the circulation, daylighting and ventilation.
Cross Section 1:200
Cross Section 1:250
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Cross Section 1:250
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Long Section 1:250
Section Analysis Plan and Section
c o n c r e t e For all drawings the circulation routes or components are shown shaded ORANGE. Note that the drawings are not to the same scale.
Access
Access
Access
Access
Axonometric
Access
Site Plan 1:2500
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Axonometric
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Axonometric
Access Access
Site Plan 1:1000
Access
Site Plan 1:1000
Circulation Plan and Section
c o n c r e t e The open or green spaces, public or private are shown shaded GREEN.
Site Plan 1:2500
First Floor Plan 1:2500
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Private Space Private Space
Private Space
Private Space
Fifth Floor Plan 1:500
Fifth Floor Plan 1:500 Private Space
Communual Space
Private Space
First Floor Plan 1:500
First Floor Plan 1:500
OpenSpace Plan and Section
c o n c r e t e This is just a basic look at how the horizontal loads are dealt with and how racking is prevented within the modules and overall.
Cross Section 1:250
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Cross Section 1:250
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Long Section 1:250
S t r u c t u r e Construction
c osketches n c demonstrate r e t the e The connections that are involved in making or joining the componants and parts. Looking specifically at the aesthetic expression and the complexity of them.
Connection A
Connection C
Steel Rods highlighted in BLUE
Axonometric of Module
Connection B
Section Steel Rods
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Cladding Insulation CLT Wall Panel CLT Floor Panel
Each module is fixed together by bolts demonstrated in RED
Interal Floor Finish Air Tight Strip Metal Bracket SIP Screw Internal Ceiling Finish
Detail Intermediate Floor
Layers of CLT combined to create a complete panel. Sketch showing how the elements combine at a floor junction
Sketch of Detail
Sketch Location of Connections
M e t h o d Connections
c o n c r demonstrate e t e These diagrams how the single concrete module is created ad the processes involved.
Reinforcement Cages
Shuttering
Concrete Box
Prefabricated Bathroom ‘Pods’ specially designed to slot into the module. Services also installed at this point.
Internal Insulation
Insert Prefab Elements
Windows + Precast Roof
P r o c e s s Construction
c o n c r e t e The images show how the modules are then stacked and orrientated to create the scheme. The seemingly complex building is broken down into rational parts that demonstrate a logic to the apartments.
View of blocks and walkway from photographs below
Explanation of Process
Site Plan 1:2500
Sketches of the Six Block Types
P r o c e s s Construction
tThe images i mshow b e r how this kit of parts - CLT Panels - come together. The images below demonstrate the process of the platform construction.
Individual panels shown in red and blue
Plan of Panels and Images
Floor panels shown in orange
Individual panels shown in shades of grey
Sketches showing Wall and Floor Elements
P r o c e s s Construction
sThe sketches t showe how theemodulesl are arranged in detail and then how they are arranged for the whole scheme and their varying sizes. Blue denotes one apartment Grey denotes neighbouring apartments above and below
Steel Frame Infill Panel Metal Studs + Mineral Insulation Partiotion Walls Kitchen Concrete Slab Floor Membrane applied externally Cross Bracing
Diagramatic Sketch
Circulation blocks shown in ORANGE and the variation on block sizes shown in BLUES and RED. Neighbouring building to the right in all sketches
Steel Columns
More Floors Stacked
Circulation + Terrace
Variation of Module Size
First Floor Blocks
Complete
P r o c e s s Construction
c o successful n c r prefabricated e t e Every scheme needs to have a basic module that can be repeated to create apartments. The diagrams illustrate the diversity in each of the schemes.
One Module Seventeen Apartments Over Twelve Floors
Sketches of Modules
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Fifth Floor Three Apartments One Large Module Two Small Modules
Second Floor Two Apartments Four Prefab Boxes
Fourth Floor Four Apartments Four Small Modules
First Floor Two Apartments Four Prefab Boxes
Part Axonometric
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Part Axonometric
M o d u l e s Construction
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Off/OnSite Construction
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Sketch Process Perspective
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Sketch Perspective
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Sketch Perspective
C l a d d i n g Construction
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Part Exterior Image
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Exterior Image
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Exterior Image
E x t e r n a l M a t e r i a l
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Interior Image
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Interior Image
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Interior Image
I n t e r n a l M a t e r i a l
The conclusions from this research are that the CONCRETE Habitat 67 scheme by Moshe Safdie is by far the most interesting and expressive in terms of prefabrication. The idea that a single module can be repeated in 17 permeations and create 154 apartments in an architecturally and aesthetically pleasing manner is essentially the pinnacle of prefabricated mass housing. That is not to mention that each apartment has their own private garden space along with adequate views, ventilation and daylight. The second part of the research will now take the principles that I have learned from the Habitat 67 scheme and apply them to my previous project design to create a more robust piece of work in terms of prefabricated mass housing.
Original Sketch for Habitat 67
Conclusions Pr e ce d e n t