Casa Modulo Catalogue by Prarthan K Shah

CASA MODULO

INDEX

FEATURED IN THE TEAM TAKE 1 TAKE 2 TAKE 3 CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS MOCK UP BUILT DESIGN ROOF DETAIL MATERIALS CONSTRUCTION PHOTOS TAKEAWAYS BLOOPERS

FEATURED IN NBC Channel 5: Texas Connects Fort Worth Star Telegram The Washington Times The Sacramento Bee San-Antonio Express News The Miami Herald Earth Day, Dallas TX Main Street Arts Festival, Fort Worth TX The Shorthorn, Student Publication UTA News Release City of Arlington, TX Tiny House Talk Dallas Innovates Arlington Talks

THE TEAM ITALIAN JOB From top left, Brannon Heake Adam Fogel Kelly Camargo Justin Thairintr Christopher Harkins Jocelyn Valles Kevin Park Prarthan Shah Erik Guerrero Not Pictured, Marcus Finneburgh Ana-Sofia Gonzalez PROFESSORS Bang Dang Brad McCorkle CONSULTANTS & MANUFACTURERS Jerald Kunkel, Structural Engineer Jim Jones, General Contractor Jason Rodgers, Electrical Engineer Matt Eytcheson, Milguard Windows ALA Lighting Delta Millworks Mueller Inc. IKEA Kitchen Cabinets Daikin HVAC Huber Engineered Woods

TAKE 1

Fall 16 Indivuidual proposals

Sept

TAKE 2

Sept

TAKE 3 The process of choosing a project to build was fairly quick and transparent. The studio initially presented their individual proposals and then quickly moved to seven teams of three and another round of internal jury narrowed the projects to five. Casa Modulo was chosen by an overwhelmingly margin from five projects to be built in Spring 2017 by a jury of over 30 students and professionals. The jury consisted of professors from UT Arlington, architects from Dallas and Fort Worth, contractors and, builders with knowledge of built environment .These jury members were on the panel to ask tough questions and vote on which project seemed to be most advanced for students to build. The jury recognized Casa Modulo for its modular design, self-sustaining features, attachable unit, pre-fabrication of parts, use of new construction techniques, and a spacious layout for people to live in. With only little space to play with, dividing the two functions was a risky move which paid off. That move made the project and we would see people either love that idea or detest it completely. The jury also recognized the project for its flaws. The new system was untested and fairly expensive. The SIPs panels had to be shipped from Virginia and we were asked to find a more local solution. Furthermore, the questions on mobility of the project were raised very seriously. The high ceilings did offer better living spaces but proved a burden to effectively maneuver the project when being moved.

10th Oct Mini Jury

Final Jury

CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS After the final jury, the entire studio was split into two groups responsible for the two built designs, Casa Modulo and Nexus Home. The bulk of work still had to be done and the bigger group certainly helped. We changed our system from SIPs to standard wood frame construction because of the doubts raised during the jury. The team worked on electrical, plumbing, and mechanical details and plans along with the major concern of how to make the roof removable. A lot of work also went into completing the project under budget â&#x20AC;&#x201C; something that was never handled in other studios. This process brought home what we were doing and how real it was going to be. It also made us understand how expensive building materials are and how to design better with that knowledge. NOTES

01/A3.2

01/A4.0

PLANS ARE DESIGNED TO 2009 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODES. CONTRACTOR TO VERIFY PLANS CONFORM TO LOCAL BUILDING STANDARDS PRIOR TO CONSTRUCTION. LANDSCAPE DESIGN IS CONCEPTUAL ONLY. PLANT TYPE AND PLANTING SPECIFICS SHALL BE COORDINATED WITH OWNER AND 'ITALIAN JOB'.

01/A4.1

DO NOT SCALE DRAWINGS. IF REQUIRED DIMENSIONS ARE NOT INDICATED, GENERAL CONTRACTOR SHALL NOTIFY 'ITALIAN JOB' FOR RESOLUTION. GENERAL CONTRACTOR SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL FEES ASSOCIATED WITH THE OBTAINING OF ALL PERMITS REQUIRED BY ALL GOVERMENTAL AGENCIES. THE GENERAL CONTRACTOR SHALL FILE THE DRAWINGS WITH THE APPROPRIATE AGENCIES.

01/A4.1

INSTALL INWALL BLOCKING AS REQUIRED FOR ALL FIXTURES, APPLIANCES, AND ACCESSORIES AS REQUIRED TO SUPPORT SAID ITEMS.

03 A6.0 04 01

CHECK FRAMING DIAGRAMS PRIOR TO INSTALLATION INSTALL FURING STRIPS REQUIRED ON THE EXTERIOR SIDE TO INSTALL VERTICAL WOOD SIDING INSTALL FIBER CEMENT BACKER BOARD IN ALL INTERIOR WET WALLS AND CEILINGS.

ALL INTERIOR WALLS SHALL BE 1/2" OSB AND INTERIOR CEILINGS SHALL BE 21" OSB UNLESS NOTED OTHERWISE.

01/A3.1

01/A3.3

ALL INTERIOR WALLS AND CEILINGS SHALL BE OSB, SMOOTH FINISH, LEVEL 4, PAINTED FLAT WHITE UNLESS NOTED OTHERWISE.

DIMENSIONS FROM INTERIOR WALL TO INTERIOR WALL ARE TO FACE OF OSB EXCEPT FOR DOOR OPENINGS, CLEAR OPENINGS, AND UNLESS NOTED OTHERWISE. DIMENSIONS OF MILL WORK ARE FROM FACE OF INTERIOR WALL TO FACE OF MILL WORK UNLESS NOTED OTHERWISE.

01/A4.2

ALL OSB WALLS SHALL HAVE RECESSED REVEAL AT BASE. REFERENCE INTERIOR DETAILS.

03 A6.1 04 01

07 A6.1 08 05

01/A4.2

WOOD FLOORING SHALL BE INSTALLED WITH 3/4" 'ADVANTECH' SUBFLOOR UNDERNEATH, UNLESS NOTED OTHERWISE.

INTERIOR DOORS ALL INTERIOR DOORS SHALL BE 6'-8" HIGH, SOLID CORE WOOD, PAINT GRADE. REFERENCE DOOR SCHEDULE. WINDOWS ALL WINDOWS TO BE ALUMINUM, DARK BRONZE, WITH MINIMUM 1/4" INSULATED, LOW-E GLASS.

EXTERIOR WALL 01 RIBBED METAL SIDING, INSTALL WITH RIBS RUNNING VERTICALLY, COATING EQUAL TO 'KYNAR 500' RESIN-BASED COATING 2X4 WOOD STUD FRAMED WALL 1/2" OSB, PAINT FLAT WHITE

EXTERIOR WALL 02 WOOD SIDING, INSTALL WITH LONG DIMENSION RUNNING VERTICALLY 3/4" HORIZONTAL, PRESSURE TREATED, FURRING STRIPS 2X4 WOOD STUD FRAMED WALL 1/2" OSB, PAINT FLAT WHITE

FLOOR PLAN

1/2" = 1'-0" Date

THE DRAWINGS, DESIGNS, AND IDEAS EMBODIED THEREIN ARE THE PROPERTY OF ITALIAN JOB; AND SHALL NOT BE COPIED, REPRODUCED, DISCLOSED TO OTHERS OR USED IN CONNECTION WITH ANY WORK OTHER THAN THE SPECIFIED PROJECT FOR WHICH THEY HAVE BEEN PREPARED, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, WITHOUT THE PRIOR AUTHORIZATION OF THE ITALIAN JOB

601 W NEDDERMAN DR #434 ARLINGTON, TX 76019 arch4556.designbuild@gmail.com

01/A3.0

ITALIAN JOB

PARALLEL CONSTRUCTION

COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE, PLANNING AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS

01 C

ITALIAN JOB UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT ARLINGTON

01/A4.0

WOOD FRAMING

NOT

CONSTRUCTION SET

for regulatory approval, permitting or construction.

No. Date

Nov Jury

Working on Construction Docs

Issue

MICRO HOME 411 SOUTH DAVIS DR ARLINGTON, TEXAS 76013

11.28.16 Drawing

A1.1

NOTES CONTRACTOR TO VERIFY ALL LIGHTING FIXTURES, SWITCHES, AND SMOKE ALARMS WITH LOCAL CODE AND REGULATIONS. CONTRACTOR SHALL NOTIFY 'ITALIAN JOB' OF ANY DISCREPANCIES. 02

CONTRACTOR TO COORDINATE FINAL SELECTION OF LIGHTING FIXTURES AND ACCESSORIES WITH OWNER.

ALL LIGHTING FIXTURES, SWITCHES, AND SMOKE ALARMS TO BE INSTALLED PER MANUFACTURER'S RECOMMENDATIONS.

CONTRACTOR TO COORDINATE LIGHT SWITCH LOCATIONS WITH OWNER.

IN THE EVENT LIGHT FIXTURE / CEILING MOUNTED ITEM LOCATIONS ARE IN CONFLICT WITH RAFTER LOCATIONS, LOCATE SAID FIXTURE STRING AS NEAR AS POSSIBLE TO INTENDED LOCATION.

ALL SWITCHES / DIMMERS TO BE WHITE.

4"Ø ROUND PENDENT DOWNLIGHT

4"Ø ROUND RECESSED DOWNLIGHT - EXTERIOR AND WET LOCATION RATED

UNDERCOUNTER LINEAR LED STRIP COVE LIGHT

RECESSED LINEAR LIGHT FIXTURE - FLUSH MATTE LENS - 8" LENGTH EXTERIOR AND WET LOCATION RATED

RECESSED COVE W/ CUSTOM SUSPENDED FIXTURE ASSEMBLY T.B.D.

REFLECTED CEILING PLAN

ITALIAN JOB PARALLEL CONSTRUCTION

COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE, PLANNING AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT ARLINGTON

601 W NEDDERMAN DR #434 ARLINGTON, TX 76019 arch4556.designbuild@gmail.com

1/2" = 1'-0" Date

ITALIAN JOB

WOOD FRAMING

NOT

CONSTRUCTION SET

for regulatory approval, permitting or construction.

No. Date

MICRO HOME 411 SOUTH DAVIS DR ARLINGTON, TEXAS 76013

Issue

11.28.16 Drawing

A2.0

NOTES CONTRACTOR TO VERIFY ALL LIGHTING FIXTURES, SWITCHES, AND SMOKE ALARMS WITH LOCAL CODE AND REGULATIONS. CONTRACTOR SHALL NOTIFY 'ITALIAN JOB' OF ANY DISCREPANCIES. 02

CONTRACTOR TO COORDINATE FINAL SELECTION OF LIGHTING FIXTURES AND ACCESSORIES WITH OWNER.

ALL LIGHTING FIXTURES, SWITCHES, AND SMOKE ALARMS TO BE INSTALLED PER MANUFACTURER'S RECOMMENDATIONS.

CONTRACTOR TO COORDINATE LIGHT SWITCH LOCATIONS WITH OWNER.

IN THE EVENT LIGHT FIXTURE / CEILING MOUNTED ITEM LOCATIONS ARE IN CONFLICT WITH TRUSS LOCATIONS, LOCATE SAID FIXTURE STRING AS NEAR AS POSSIBLE TO INTENDED LOCATION.

ALL SWITCHES / DIMMERS TO BE WHITE.

4"Ø ROUND RECESSED DOWNLIGHT

4"Ø ROUND RECESSED DOWNLIGHT - EXTERIOR AND WET LOCATION RATED

UNDERCOUNTER LINEAR LED STRIP COVE LIGHT

RECESSED LINEAR LIGHT FIXTURE - FLUSH MATTE LENS - 8' LENGTH

RECESSED COVE W/ CUSTOM SUSPENDED FIXTURE ASSEMBLY T.B.D.

WALL SWITCH - LUTRON RECTANGULAR STANDARD - CONFIRM FINAL SPEC. WALL DIMMER - LUTRON MAESTRO - CONFIRM FINAL SPEC.

ELECTRICAL DIAGRAM - FLOOR PLAN

ITALIAN JOB PARALLEL CONSTRUCTION

COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE, PLANNING AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT ARLINGTON

601 W NEDDERMAN DR #434 ARLINGTON, TX 76019 arch4556.designbuild@gmail.com

1/2" = 1'-0" Date

ITALIAN JOB

WOOD FRAMING

NOT

CONSTRUCTION SET

for regulatory approval, permitting or construction.

No. Date

Issue

MICRO HOME 411 SOUTH DAVIS DR ARLINGTON, TEXAS 76013

11.28.16 Drawing

E1.0

MINI RIB METAL SIDING, INSTALLED VERTICALLY VERTICAL WOOD SIDING INSTALLED WITH 3/4" HORIZONATAL FURING STRIPS WOOD TRELLIS SUPPORTED BY STEEL UNEQUAL LEG BRACKET ON 2" STEEL SQUARE BAR TRELLIS = 10' - 3/4" HEADER 8' - 9 1/4"

SEE DOOR AND WINDOW SCHEDULE FOR DETAILS AND CONNECTIONS. ALUMINUM FRAME WINDOW WITH 3/4" INSULATED, LOW-E GLASS

INDEPENDENT DECKING STRUCTURE WITH WOOD DECKBOARD ON 2X4 WOOD FRAME FINISH FLOOR LEVEL = 2'-1 1/4"

2 BY MEMBERS FOR STAIR STRUCTURE FOR DETAILS CHECK CONNECTIONS.

GROUND LEVEL = 0'- 0"

EXTERIOR ELEVATION - WEST

ITALIAN JOB PARALLEL CONSTRUCTION

COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE, PLANNING AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT ARLINGTON

601 W NEDDERMAN DR #434 ARLINGTON, TX 76019 arch4556.designbuild@gmail.com

1/2" = 1'-0" C

Date

ITALIAN JOB

WOOD FRAMING

NOT

CONSTRUCTION SET

for regulatory approval, permitting or construction.

No. Date

11.28.16

MICRO HOME

Drawing

A3.0

411 SOUTH DAVIS DR ARLINGTON, TEXAS 76013

Issue

MINI RIB METAL SIDING, INSTALLED VERTICALLY

WOOD TRELLIS SUPPORTED BY STEEL UNEQUAL LEG BRACKET ON 2" STEEL SQUARE BAR

TRELLIS = 10' - 3/4" HEADER 8' - 9 1/4"

SEE DOOR AND WINDOW SCHEDULE FOR DETAILS AND CONNECTIONS. ALUMINUM FRAME WINDOW WITH 3/4" INSULATED, LOW-E GLASS

INDEPENDENT DECKING STRUCTURE WITH WOOD DECKBOARD ON 2X4 WOOD FRAME FINISH FLOOR LEVEL = 2'-1 1/4"

CHECK FOUNDATION DETAILS BEFORE INSTALL

GROUND LEVEL = 0'- 0"

EXTERIOR ELEVATION - SOUTH

ITALIAN JOB PARALLEL CONSTRUCTION

COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE, PLANNING AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT ARLINGTON

601 W NEDDERMAN DR #434 ARLINGTON, TX 76019 arch4556.designbuild@gmail.com

1/2" = 1'-0" C

Date

ITALIAN JOB

WOOD FRAMING

NOT

CONSTRUCTION SET

for regulatory approval, permitting or construction.

No. Date

Issue

MICRO HOME 411 SOUTH DAVIS DR ARLINGTON, TEXAS 76013

11.28.16 Drawing

A3.3

TOP OF RIDGE BEAM = 17' - 7 7/8" TOP OF RIDGE BEAM = 15' - 10 5/8"

2X10 RIDGE CONNECTION

STANDING SEAM METAL SIDING, INSTALLED VERTICALLY

2X6 WOOD ROOF. FOR DETAILS CHECK CONNECTIONS.

VERTICAL WOOD SIDING INSTALLED WITH 3/4" HORIZONATAL FURING STRIPS

FRAMED PLUMBING WALL WITH 2X6 PLACED 16" O.C.

WOOD TRELLIS SUPPORTED BY STEEL UNEQUAL LEG BRACKET ON 2" STEEL SQUARE BAR

TRELLIS = 10' - 3/4" HEADER 8' - 9 1/4" SEE DOOR AND WINDOW SCHEDULE FOR DETAILS AND CONNECTIONS.

ALUMINUM FRAME WINDOW WITH 3/4" INSULATED, LOW-E GLASS

HARD WOOD FLOORING INSTALLED ON 2X6 WOOD FRAMING

INDEPENDENT DECKING STRUCTURE WITH WOOD DECKBOARD ON 2X6 WOOD FRAME

FINISH FLOOR LEVEL = 2'-1 1/4"

2 BY MEMBERS FOR STAIR STRUCTURE FOR DETAILS CHECK CONNECTIONS.

GROUND LEVEL = 0'- 0"

SECTION LOOKING NORTH

ITALIAN JOB PARALLEL CONSTRUCTION

COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE, PLANNING AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT ARLINGTON

601 W NEDDERMAN DR #434 ARLINGTON, TX 76019 arch4556.designbuild@gmail.com

1/2" = 1'-0" C

Date

ITALIAN JOB

WOOD FRAMING

NOT

CONSTRUCTION SET

for regulatory approval, permitting or construction.

No. Date

Issue

11.28.16

MICRO HOME

Drawing

A4.2

411 SOUTH DAVIS DR ARLINGTON, TEXAS 76013

CONSULTANT

TOP OF RIDGE BEAM = 17' - 7 7/8" TOP OF RIDGE BEAM = 15' - 10 5/8"

MINI RIB METAL SIDING, INSTALLED VERTICALLY MINI RIB METAL SIDING, INSTALLED VERTICALLY

2X6 WOOD ROOF. FOR DETAILS CHECK CONNECTIONS.

TRELLIS = 10' - 3/4" HEADER 8' - 9 1/4" SEE 04| A6.0 FOR INTERIOR ELEVATIONS AND DETAILS. KITCHEN TBD.

WOOD TRELLIS SUPPORTED BY STEEL UNEQUAL LEG BRACKET ON 2" STEEL SQUARE BAR

ALUMINUM FRAME WINDOW WITH 3/4" INSULATED, LOW-E GLASS HARD WOOD FLOORING INSTALLED ON 2X6 WOOD FRAMING

MINI RIB METAL SIDING, INSTALLED VERTICALLY FINISH FLOOR LEVEL = 2'-1 1/4"

2X6 WOOD FRAME. CHECK SPECIFICATIONS AND CONNECTIONS GROUND LEVEL = 0'- 0"

SECTION LOOKING NORTH

ITALIAN JOB PARALLEL CONSTRUCTION

COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE, PLANNING AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT ARLINGTON

601 W NEDDERMAN DR #434 ARLINGTON, TX 76019 arch4556.designbuild@gmail.com

1/2" = 1'-0" C

Date

ITALIAN JOB

WOOD FRAMING

NOT

CONSTRUCTION SET

for regulatory approval, permitting or construction.

No. Date

Issue

MICRO HOME 411 SOUTH DAVIS DR ARLINGTON, TEXAS 76013

11.28.16 Drawing

A4.0

EXTERIOR WALL CONNECTION DETAIL

ITALIAN JOB PARALLEL CONSTRUCTION

COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE, PLANNING AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT ARLINGTON

601 W NEDDERMAN DR #434 ARLINGTON, TX 76019 arch4556.designbuild@gmail.com

3" = 1'-0" C

PARALLEL CONSTRUCTION

COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE, PLANNING AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS

601 W NEDDERMAN DR #434 ARLINGTON, TX 76019 arch4556.designbuild@gmail.com

PLUMBING WALL CORNER DETAIL

3" = 1'-0" Date

NOT

CONSTRUCTION SET

for regulatory approval, permitting or construction.

EXTERIOR WALL, PLUMBING WALL, AND DOOR CONNECTION

UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT ARLINGTON

3" = 1'-0"

WOOD FRAMING

No. Date

ITALIAN JOB

PLUMBING WALL PERPENDICULAR DETAIL

ITALIAN JOB

411 SOUTH DAVIS DR ARLINGTON, TEXAS 76013

Issue

3" = 1'-0"

11.28.16 Drawing

A5.0

DECK BOARD DETAIL

3" = 1'-0"

TRELLIS CONNECTION DETAIL

3" = 1'-0" Date

ITALIAN JOB

MICRO HOME

WOOD FRAMING

NOT

CONSTRUCTION SET

for regulatory approval, permitting or construction.

No. Date

Issue

MICRO HOME 411 SOUTH DAVIS DR ARLINGTON, TEXAS 76013

11.28.16 Drawing

A5.1

FOUNDATION AND DECK DETAIL

ITALIAN JOB PARALLEL CONSTRUCTION

COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE, PLANNING AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT ARLINGTON

601 W NEDDERMAN DR #434 ARLINGTON, TX 76019 arch4556.designbuild@gmail.com

3" = 1'-0" C

COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE, PLANNING AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT ARLINGTON

601 W NEDDERMAN DR #434 ARLINGTON, TX 76019 arch4556.designbuild@gmail.com

PLUMBING WALL TO ROOF CONNECTION

3" = 1'-0" Date

WOOD FRAMING

CONSTRUCTION SET

for regulatory approval, permitting or construction.

411 SOUTH DAVIS DR ARLINGTON, TEXAS 76013

11.28.16 Drawing

A5.3

RIDGE CONNECTION

3" = 1'-0"

ROOF AND WALL CONNECTION

3" = 1'-0" Date

ITALIAN JOB

MICRO HOME

Issue

3" = 1'-0" C

3" = 1'-0"

NOT

ROOF AND WALL CONNECTION

PARALLEL CONSTRUCTION

PLUMBING WALL TO FLOOR CONNECTION

ITALIAN JOB

No. Date

ITALIAN JOB

WOOD FRAMING

NOT

CONSTRUCTION SET

for regulatory approval, permitting or construction.

No. Date

Issue

MICRO HOME 411 SOUTH DAVIS DR ARLINGTON, TEXAS 76013

11.28.16 Drawing

A5.4

MOCK UP

The mock up was the last thing to wrap up in the Fall semester. After 3 months of work, we were tasked with buulding a two foot swatch of the structure before going to build the entire house in Spring. This was the first time we were building something. The majority of the group didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have any prior practical experience in construction and this allowed us to make mistakes and gave us a chance to correct them before the actual build. It was an entirely different experience trying to fit materials in the school elevator.

Dec Working on Construction Docs

Mock Up

So much for CDs

Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been warned

Builders and Bakers

BUILT DESIGN

The mock up in late fall provided for a lot of knowledge on how to construct our micro home going into the spring semester. A lot of things needed to change and the roof removal was still a big issue which remained unresolved after a semester of work. The mock up also provided an opportunity for us to actually experience our designed space for the first time and that was an incredible feelingv. Even though it was only a two foot section, it showed us the potential of space that

Dec Final Jury

ROOF DETAILS

MATERIALS

CONSTRUCTION PHOTOS

Spring 17 Winter Break

Jan

Week 1

Ordering 20 foot 2x6 lumber wood from Home Depot took two weeks which put us behind by two weeks. Lesson learnt, check Home Depot lead times before ordering materials. Along those lines, I can now tell what is available in each aisle at Home Depot.

Jan Week 2

Feb Week 3

When designing this structural system, two things were kept in mind. One, it was designed to be temporary because the build site was supposed to be just for Spring. Two, it was sufficient for the SIPs panel but when changed to the wood frame construction, enough thought was not put into the structure. So during construction, we had to reinforce the floor framing with temporary posts.

Feb Week 4

Feb Week 5

Feb Week 6

We had to reorder the steel angles (4”x 4” and 1/4” thick) because I messed up. I read 9 as a 6 on the measuring tape. Rookie Mistake

March Week 7

March Week 8

The best part about construction for me was during Spring Break when we finally were able to start framing our roof after all the issues we dealt with to have it removed. It was a great feeling to see the space finally take shape. Things moved very quickly from here onwards.

March Week 9

March Week 10

April Week 11

Doing everything for the first time has its consequences. But we had very readily available sources who we relied on for a lot without whom we could not have completed our project at all.

April Week 12

As we got near the finish line, the thought of not finishing became very real. It is very safe to say that our kitchen and bathroom came together in the last 30 hours before the final day. The eve of 5th May was the most hectic it could have been. Not only did we have to finish but we also had to clean up 3 months of waste that comes with construction. The surrounding community was very understanding about noise and late nights without which we could not have worked.

April Week 13

April Week 14

FINAL DAYS

5th May Week 15

WHAT I TOOK AWAY This has been without a doubt the best studio I can take knowing that I want to be an architect who wants to see my projects getting built. Having this experience this early in my career without a doubt helps me know what challenges someone faces while building. The biggest learning experience for me is how different paper architecture and built architecture really is. It is seemingly easy to design something on Autocad without really thinking about the consequences we might face on the site. The other biggest thing I take out of this studio is the feasibility and constructibility of literally anything I design from here on in the future. This is only because I made the drawings and built it at the same time and I have seen both sides of the story. Knowing that I now have this experience under my belt, I can tell that it has made me a better designer and made me more aware of the materials that go into making something. I observe more keenly the joints and connections that take place when materials come together. By no means was Casa Modulo a study into new materiality or research but by means of construction we certainly achieved a lot of basic knowledge. We did try our best to stay away from wood frame construction but there is a reason why the entire world constructs using this method. Its fast, easy and cheap. There is nothing wrong with it for a school project with a modest budget. I almost think that is an unintended gift. We would have not done justice to any other construction system without properly understanding the wood framing without doing it ourselves. Another parallel was taking the construction course concurrently with building and seeing all the things talked about in class being applied into our micro homes that afternoon. The unexpected part was this being the first time Parallel Construction took on a project of this scale, there was almost no expectation put on us. All 20 students and 2 professors worked the hardest they possibly have in their time at school to see the micro homes to fruition. I don’t think I will be able to forget the afternoon of 5th May when the entire school was invited to see what the studio was up to for the past two semesters. We knew from the beginning that there were skeptics of the design build program and if students should be exposed to such “ideas” in their undergraduate career. I think it is safe to say that both teams, Casa Modulo and Nexus house has proved them wrong in a lot of ways. We built something that we designed from scratch and were responsible for a lot things that normally might not be given to students to deal with at this stage. I am excited for where the program is headed and what the fate of the micro homes is after they are sold or auctioned off. We took a radical step in splitting the already micro home further into two rooms and we certainly divided the audience. They either loved it or disliked it. But it certainly made people curious with the new arrangement of living. I think we achieved something that I didn’t even think we needed to achieve: Make people think about their own living conditions with minimal living.

BLOOPERS

Non Finito