Prefab City A compendium of strategies for prefabricated building techniques in urban environments
Urban Infill Sites
Infill: n. A material that fills in an otherwise unoccupied space. Urban Infill: n. An architecture that is built in vacant or unused urban space.
Infill architecture maximizes the left-over space within previously developed urban conditions. It takes advantage of unused spaces, difficult or atypical sites, and existing structures within the urban context by building “up and out.� The sites for infill architecture can be found in-between, on top of, below, within, or on the side of existing structures. Prefabricated designs are the perfect solution for infill architecture. Due to dense urban environments, infill sites are difficult to build on and may require as little on-site assembly as possible. Prefabricated designs, primarily constructed in the factory whenever possible, would allow architecture to be built on sites that would otherwise not have been developed.
Infill Site Possibilities
INTRODUCTION DETERMINANTS
“Within”
DEPLOYMENT
“On Side”
PRECEDENTS
CONTEXT
“Typical Infill”
“Below”
“Above” Parasite + Barnacle • 82
Definitions Prefabricated architecture that responds to these infill conditions can be categorized into two types: parasite or barnacle. Parasite and barnacle prefab depends upon it’s host for structure, real estate, systems, circulation, or regulatory benefits.
Parasite Parasite: n. An organism that has a symbiotic relationship with its host: while the host is not hurt by the parasite, it also does not benefit. The parasite takes advantage of various features of the host. Parasites are generally smaller than
remora feeding on shark
their host, show a high degree of specialization for their mode of life, and reproduce at a faster rate than their hosts. Parasite prefab is a type of prefabricated architecture that specifically responds to infill site possibilities within the urban environment. Parasitical characteristics are represented as parasite prefab benefits from utilizing existing structures (hosts) within an architectural context. This architecture depends upon the existing structure and is unable to survive on its’ own. It is migratory and temporary, with the ability to move from host to host. Parasite prefab can depend upon its’ host for all five of the benefits listed above.
parasite architecture precedent
INTRODUCTION DETERMINANTS
Barnacle Barnacle: n. A crustacean that lives permanently surface.
Barnacle prefab is a similar type of prefabricated
barnacles attached to a rock
architecture to parasite prefab, as it responds to
DEPLOYMENT
attached to a hard substrate or submerged
infill site possibilities within the urban environment in a similar way. Barnacle prefab does attach itself to an existing structure, but the CONTEXT
main difference is that it can survive on its own. Barnacle prefab is self-sufficient, with separate independent systems from its host. Primarily, the barnacle prefab would only utilize the host for structural or real estate purposes. It is more
PRECEDENTS
permanent than parasite prefab.
barnacle architecture precedent Parasite + Barnacle • 84
Parasite Precedents Just the Facts: 1997 Rathenow, Germany mixed-use commercial + residential fit-up 900sm addition of 12 prefab containers
This project is an addition to the rear of a 19th century building in a tight courtyard-like site. The containers were prefitted and assembled 500 km away. It took one day to deliver the containers on a standard size flatbed and one day to assemble with the help of a crane. They are housed on a concrete columnn and beam structure. The materials of the container are reinforced concrete, corrugated aluminum panels/sheeting, and steel frame insulated wall and roof panels. The building was gutted and prepared for the systems to recieve containers which were assembled with insulation and all necessary systems in the factory. These units are “plugged into� service systems within the floor compartment of the existing building.
Housing & Commercial Block Klaus Sill & Jochen Keim
INTRODUCTION
g in ild Bu g t in is
DEPLOYMENT
Ex
t it rs te In
on C
Existing Building
ta
in
ia
er
lS
Ad
pa
di
ce
tio
n
Interstitial Space
DETERMINANTS
Container Addition
Unoccupiable Space
The twelve prefabricated containers are “plugged CONTEXT
into” a concrete structural system. This addition acts as parasite prefab because the containers are attached to and feed on the systems of the existing building. The structural system of concrete beams and columns is directly connected to the structural system existent in the host building. These containers can not exist on
PRECEDENTS
their own; they rely on the host building to efficiently function. The containers were designed to be added to the existing building, yet this additional structural system causes a large percentage in loss of usable or functional space of the 900 square meter addition.
Unoccupiable Space Parasite + Barnacle • 86
Parasite Precedents Just the Facts: 2001 Rotterdam, The Netherlands 85 gross square meters Residential / Temporary Exhibition This project was designed as a temporary addition to a former warehouse building for an exhibition. The addition was located at the top of a small elevator shaft on the warehouse building, thus determining the size of the compact plan. This project represents parasite prefab as it is structurally supported by the host building, draws from the services of the existing building, and was designed to be temporary. This project is composed of load-bearing insulated panels, but the shape makes it dependent on the existing elevator shaft for strucutural support. The assembly of these panels on site took just a few days. The parasite prefab addition drew from the many services of the existing building, inluding the circulation
Las Palmas Parasite P.A.R.A.S.I.T.E. PROJECT Kortknie Stuhlmacher Architecten
system. As this was designed and assembled for an exhibition, the structure was moved to a storage location by crane, road, and water trasportation.
INTRODUCTION DETERMINANTS
Road Transport
Crane Transport
Water Transport
Parasite Circulation
CONTEXT
DEPLOYMENT
Existing Systems
PRECEDENTS
Existing Circulation
Crane Site Assembly
Assembly Section Parasite + Barnacle • 88
Barnacle Precedents Just the Facts: 2009 Residential Unbuilt Project This project was designed through parametric 3D modeling software and was intended to be built on any unused spaces within the urban fabric such as blank facades, rocks, or bridges. This project, as the architect said, “finds value by turning dead public space into lively private space.� It was intended as a tool for sustainable urban densification. This project has a structural panel that would bolt the prefabricated element to the surface of the host or existing structure. The panelized components would be quick and easy to assemble on site after the structural plate is attached. The circulation system here is a staircase that can retract up into the building. As a result, the only actual footprint of the building would be the staircase landing of the retractable
Parasite Prefab Lara Calder Architects
stairs and the services duct.
INTRODUCTION DETERMINANTS DEPLOYMENT
Barnacle Addition
Independent Barnacle Circulation Connecting Bolt Plate
CONTEXT
Circulation Section
Services Shaft
Independent Barnacle Circulation
Assembly Section Parasite + Barnacle • 90
PRECEDENTS
Existing Building
3 Barnacle Precedents Just the Facts: Date: 1998 Location: Sevilla, Spain Typology: Temporary Scaffolding / Residential Santiago Parejo, through his Recetas Urbanas projects, is an architect who designs architecture that exploits gaps in currect building codes, administration, and legislation. He tries to find sites that offer real estate for various prefab additions to be built to existing buildings or structures throughout the city. He calls many of his projects, “Strategies for Subversive Urban Occupation.” As Benedicte Grosjean writes in ArchiLab’s Futurehouse (2002): “(Cirugeda) formulates realistic and empirical strategies to push the law to its limits and find pockets of nonlaw in which to develop a possible habitat.” In the Urban Shelter Building, Parejo finds a loop hole in local legislation that would allow someone to build their own shelter or “urban reserve.” Construction scaffolding can form a temporary
Urban Shelter Building Recetas Urbanas Santiago Cirugeda Parejo
room almost anywhere. It can either be connected to the interior or completely separate. Parejo’s temporary scaffolding room is always accessible from the public street and thus is only using the host building for real estate/regulatory reasons.
INTRODUCTION
In Sevilla, a minor work license must be obtained and the scaffolding project must be approved by an architect. The scaffolding, composed of 60 x 60 x 3 mm beams and 100 x 10 mm collars of galvanized steel, was assembled with a group of welders who helped to form the steel ribs. The structure was then covered by flexible sheets of
DETERMINANTS
PVC foam. Storage space was added to give the structure more function. The last step was to add a movable staircase and the project was ready to
DEPLOYMENT
go as a temporary shelter.
Assembly Section
Parasite + Barnacle • 92
PRECEDENTS
CONTEXT
Independent BarnacleCirculation
Parasite + Barnacle Sources
Brayer, Marie-Ange, and BÊatrice Simonot. ArchiLab’s Futurehouse: Radical Experiments in Living Space. New York: Thames & Hudson, 2002. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infill http://www.collagecityfilm.com/archives/category/musings http://www.remoratrade.com/ http://www.kortekniestuhlmacher.nl/laspalmas.html http://www.kortekniestuhlmacher.nl/laspalmas.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parasitism http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barnacle http://www.calderflower.com.au/ http://www.designboom.com/weblog/cat/9/view/7625/lara-calder-architects-parasite-prefab.html http://www.recetasurbanas.net/index.php
PRECEDENTS
CONTEXT
DEPLOYMENT
Instant Utopia
Instant Utopia • 94 DETERMINANTS
INTRODUCTION
Introduction
Utopia: n. An ideally perfect place, especially in its social, political, and moral aspects. The idea of creating an utopian architecture or
the utopian theme. Ultimately, adaptability to
urban fabric has often been a romanticized con-
specificities that site conditions present is what
cept rather than realistic one. While it is not new,
gives prefabricated architecture an advantage
the idea still intrigues architects today for various
over the traditional stick built type.
reasons: control, efficiency, master planning, etc.
Andreae’s Christianopolis , 1619
During the renaissance, designers and artists
Instant Utopia consists of three precedents that
such as Johannes Andreae and Bartolomeo
were selected due to the clarity of the type for
flirted with the concept of the perfect world, the
which they represent. Those buildings are as
Garden of Eden, and published catalogues of
follows:
their engraving and writings on the subject.
1. Nakagin Capsule Tower, Kisho K. 1972 2. Habitat ‘67, Moshe Safdie, 1967
Bartolomeo’s City of Truth, 1609
Today, there is a limited number of actual built
3. Metastadt, Richard Dietrich, 1972
projects that fall within the realm of utopia.
An identifying name is given to each building type
Instant Utopia attempts to identify the key fea-
that clearly addresses the unique attributes of the
tures of this architecture in regards to deploy-
type. The following page goes into further detail,
ment. Prefabricated architecture, whether in the
identifying the key features of this type and creat-
form of modular/capsule living environments, or
ing a usable language for the precedents.
panelized systems, is integral to the creation of
part of the urban context in which it sits. The
INTRODUCTION
The Plug-In Tower is both directly and indirectly a
The Plug-In Tower
armature rises out of the complexity inherent in its urban fabric, creating a resting place for the capNot unlike a cancer The Expanding Monolith is unaffected by its context. It starts as an initial growth and slowly, or rapidly, metastasizes into an endlessly adaptable system, creating city out of density. urbanism on a site, regardless of the contextual environment. Flipping and re-aggregating the
Dense Urban Fabric
Ascending Armature
Plug-In Capsule
Initial Monolith
Expanding Effect
The Expanding Monolith DEPLOYMENT
“blocks” to make a picturesque environment is what gives the type its fake variety.
Dense Urban Fabric
PRECEDENTS
The Artificial Hilltown
CONTEXT
The Artificial Hilltown explores the idea of making
DETERMINANTS
sules to plug in.
The Armature
The Single Block
Mirrored Blocks Instant Utopia • 96
Nakagin Capsule Tower
The Plug-In Tower
The Nakagin Capsule Tower is located in a dense
Just The Facts:
business district of the Ginza area of Tokyo,
Architect: Kisho Kurokawa
Japan. Originally, it was conceived of as a hotel
Location: Ginza, Japan
for business men to stay at during the week.
Program: Residential & Office
Today, it consists of 144 rental apartments. The
Construction Schedule: 1970 – 1972
first floor includes a self-service cafe and the sec-
Construction Type: Precast Concrete &
ond floor contains office space.
Prefabricated Capsules
Kisho Kurokawa designed the Nakagin Tower in
Number of Floors: 14
the midst of the metabolist movement of the
Number of Capsules: 144
1960’s. At this time, leading architects envisioned
Dimensions: 8’-0’’W x 13’-0’’L x 8’-0’’H
cities containing flexible and expanding struc-
Vertical Circulation: 2 Elevator Cores & 2
tures. The Nakagin tower was the first fully real-
Staircases
ized structure to develop from this movement.
Horizontal Circulation: Prefab Bridges
The capsules were originally designed to have a
Kitchens: Prefabricated Off-Site
life-span of 25 years, yet they continue to be used
Bathrooms: Prefabricated Off-Site
today. It is highly debated whether the building
Capsule Life-span: 25 years (and still going)
should be torn down due its intended life-span.
Superstructure Life-span: 100 years
INTRODUCTION DETERMINANTS
The Armature Components
1 2
Precast Lift Shaft
Stair Cores
Armature
Interim Bridges
Entire Assembly
DEPLOYMENT
Podium
4
5
Exploded Axonometric
Armature: n. a framework to support the clay or
1. Precast Concrete Shell w/ Steel Frame
other material used in modelling.
2. Plug-In Service Fins
The tower is comprised of two, interconnected
3. Lightweight Precast Concrete Floor Plates
towers which serve as the framework for the cap-
4. Precast Concrete Lift Shaft
sules to rest on. The on-site preparation work to
5. Ground Level Podium - Office Space
create the armature is the first stage. Instant Utopia • 98
PRECEDENTS
CONTEXT
3
The Capsule
1 2
3 4
5 6
7 Capsule Axonometric 8
1. Plumbing, Electrical, & Waste Lines 2. Vertical Plug-In Service Fin 3. Air Conditioning Duct 4. Air Conditioning Register 5. Prefabricated Bathroom 6. Built-In Desk 7. Moveable Chair 8. Built-In Bed
INTRODUCTION DETERMINANTS
1
2
DEPLOYMENT
3
4 5
8
Typical Capsule Plan 1. Capsule Entrance 2. Prefabricated Bathroom 3. Air Conditioning Chase 4. Interior Finish Surface 5. Welded Light-Weight Steel Truss Member “A” 6. Welded Light-Weight Steel Truss Member “B” 7. Built-In Bed 8. Circular Window Instant Utopia • 100
PRECEDENTS
7
CONTEXT
6
The Aggregation & Capsule Delivery 1
1
1 2
3 2
4
2
5 6 7 3
3
Components: Plan & Core 1. Typical Capsule 2. Lightweight Precast Concrete Floor Plate 3. Prefabricated Interim Bridge 4. Plug-In Service Fin
Aggregation: Type 1
Aggregation: Type 2
5. Precast Concrete Shell w/ Steel Frame
1. Typical Side-Entry Capsule w/ Side Window
1. Typical Side-Entry Capsule w/ End Window
6. Prefabricated Lift Cage
2. Typical Front-Entry Capsule w/ Side Window
2. Typical Front-Entry Capsule w/ End Window
7. Typical Floor Entrance/Exit
3. Side Window Capsule Aggregation
3. End Window Capsule Aggregation
2. Capsule Bolting Process 3. Capsule Bolting Connection Detail
INTRODUCTION
Capsule Delivery 1. Capsule Base Connection Detail
4. Prefabrication - 3 Hour Assembly DETERMINANTS
5. Transportation - 500km
2
CONTEXT
3
4
5
6
PRECEDENTS
1
DEPLOYMENT
6. Construction - 7-8 Months
Instant Utopia • 102
Metastadt
The Expanding Monolith Metastadt was designed to be a completely new
Just The Facts:
typology in city design. It was thought of as an
Architect: Richard J. Dietrich and Bernd
idealized form of luxury living that evolved out of
Steigerwald
the German post-war lifestyle. Metastadt incorpo-
Location: Wulfen, Germany
rated many modern-day conveniences such as
Program: Residential, Office, & Retail
shopping, office space, open roof gardens, and
Construction Schedule: 1965–72 (realized);
living space, which was intended to provide a
1969 (model)
sense of community. One key feature to
Construction Type: Steel & Metal Panel
Metastadt’s conception was a flexible steel rig-
Number of Units: 102
ging system that could grow or shrink over time.
Modular Dimensions: 12’-0’’W x 12’-0’’L x
This structure provided the option for residents to
11’-0’’H
make additions by simply adding steel modules to
Vertical Circulation: Elevator Cores &
the existing layout.
Staircases Kitchens: Prefabricated Off-Site
Unfortunately, due to technical faults that resulted in poor insulation and water leaks, Medastadt was demolished in the early 1980’s.
Bathrooms: Prefabricated Off-Site
INTRODUCTION DETERMINANTS DEPLOYMENT CONTEXT PRECEDENTS
Concept Image 1
Richard Dietrich’s Model, 1969
Concept Image 2 Instant Utopia • 104
The Construction Components
1 2
3
Assembled Bay: Front View
4 5
Assemble Bay Exploded Axonometric 1. Panelized Roofing System 2. Interior Floors & Ceilings 3. Modular Steel Framing System 4. Panelized Plug-In Fenestration 5. Metal Panel Exterior
Assembled Bay: Interior View
INTRODUCTION DETERMINANTS 1 2
Steel Framing Module
CONTEXT
Stage 2
DEPLOYMENT
Stage 1
Steel Framing Assembly Steel Framing Axonometric 1. Void Module for Elevator Shaft 2. Typical Steel Framing Module
Stage 3
3. Second Floor Void Module Instant Utopia • 106
PRECEDENTS
3
Habitat ‘67
The Artificial Hilltown Moshe Safdie’s architectural thesis project at
Just The Facts:
McGill University, “ A Three-Dimensional Modular
Architect: Moshe Safdie
Building System”, laid out the theory and design
Location: Montreal, Canada
components to what would eventually be called
Program: Residential: 1 Bedroom (600 Sq. Ft.) –
Habitat ‘ 67. At the time, this project was just a
4 Bedroom (1,700 Sq. Ft.)
germ of an idea, but a few years later Safdie’s
Construction Schedule: 4/7/66 – 2/28/67
thesis would be selected to be part of Montreal’s
Construction Type: Precast Concrete
Expo ‘67. By the time the project was completed,
Construction Cost: 13.5 Million
Safdie was just shy of thirty years old.
Number of Floors: 12 Number of Units: 158 Units (354 “Boxes”)
Habitat ‘67 is set along the Saint Lawrence river,
Dimensions: 17’-6’’W x 38’-6’’L x 11’-6’’H
just East of downtown Montreal. It contains a total
Vertical Circulation: Multiple Elevator Cores and
of 354 precast concrete modular boxes that make
Staircases at each Node
up 158 units. Each unit is equipped with a private
Horizontal Circulation: Every Fourth Level
deck, and large open windows with views to
Kitchens: Pre-Assembled Off-Site
downtown Montreal or the Saint Lawrence river.
Bathrooms: Prefabricated Off-Site Module Weight: 63.5 Metric Tons
INTRODUCTION 1
2
Armature Components 1. Horizontal Walkway every 4th Floor 2. Parking Garage
3
4
5
Vertical Circulation
3. Typical Core Staircase 4. Typical Elevator Shaft 5. Typical Intermediate Staircase Instant Utopia • 108
PRECEDENTS
CONTEXT
Horizontal Circulation
DEPLOYMENT
DETERMINANTS
The Armature Components
Constructing the Module
1 2
The Formwork Yard The Formwork Yard Axonomentric 1. Concrete & Steel Faced Form 2. Formwork Chosen for Assembly of Unit 4
INTRODUCTION DETERMINANTS
1 5
Stage 1
Stage 5
DEPLOYMENT
2
Stage 2 6
3
Total Number of Steel Containers
Stage 3
CONTEXT
Stage 6
Creating & Fastening the Module Walls 2. Positioning the Formwork 3. Positioning the Steel Container 4
Stage 7
4. Closing the Steel Container 5. After Curing, Exposing the Module Walls 6. Positioning the Module Walls & Base
Stage 4
7. Post Tensioning the Module Walls & Base Instant Utopia • 110
PRECEDENTS
1. Assembling the Formwork 7
Unit 4
1
5 6
Stage 1
Stage 5 7 8 9
2
Stage 6
Stage 2
3
10 Unit 4 Assembly 1. Precast Concrete Module “A” 2. Precast Concrete Module “B” 3. Plumbing & Electrical Installation
Stage 7
Stage 3
4. Fenestration 5. Flooring Installation 6. Unit Deck installation 11
7. Pre-Assembed Millwork 8. Prefabricated Fiberglass Bathrooms
12
4 Stage 4
9. Interior Wall Installation 10. Precast Concrete Roof
Stage 8
11. Unit Above 12. Roof Deck Above
INTRODUCTION DETERMINANTS
1
2
DEPLOYMENT
3
CONTEXT
4
5
Unit 4 Exploded Axonometric 1. Precast Concrete Roof
Unit 4 Plan & Elevations
2. Fenestration 3. Interior Walls, Prefab Bathrooms, & Millwork 4. Wood Flooring 5. Precast Concrete Modules 6. Precast Concrete Deck Instant Utopia • 112
PRECEDENTS
6
The Aggregation Unit 1 1 Bedroom Unit 2 2 Bedroom
Unit 1
Unit 7
Unit 2
Unit 8
Unit 3 2 Bedroom Unit 4 2 Bedroom Unit 5 3 Bedroom Unit 6 3 Bedroom
Unit 3
Unit 9
Unit 7 3 Bedroom Unit 8 3 Bedroom
Unit 4
Unit 10
Unit 9 3 Bedroom Unit 10 3 Bedroom
Unit 5
Unit 11
Unit 11 4 Bedroom
Unit Types
Unit 6
Aggregation of Unitss
INTRODUCTION DETERMINANTS 2
CONTEXT
Mirrored & Replicated Aggregation at Front
DEPLOYMENT
1
3
Armature Components 1. Type A 2. Type B 3. Type C - End Condition 4. Type D
5
Replicated Aggregation at Rear
5. Type E - End Condition Instant Utopia • 114
PRECEDENTS
4