TECH IS MORE
To devolve is to degenerate. Architecture of the home is devolving. In nature, evolution propels life forward, determines the strong, and eliminates the weak. In housing, evolution corrects past error, adapts to an ever-changing occupant, and utilizes the apex of technology of the time, or at least it should. Housing has become unsuitable. That statement especially rings true when considering the expansive developments of the technological world and their impact on people’s daily lives. In the United States, we have seen the continual production of stick-framed rectilinear apartments and homes for hundreds of years. Most of the technological innovation being incorporated into homes and living spaces has to fit within the 16” between studs. They are a “plug-in” product designed to enhance the user’s life, taking on a passive role within the architecture of the home. What if technology became the architecture of living instead of being placed within the home?
AUSTIN, TX
TECH. COMPANIES
JOB CENTERS
4
3 2 1
DESIRED MACRO SITES
1
Southern neighborhoods near industrial job center in Austin. Sites found in vacant residential lots, IRS parking lot, and behind big box stores. Low rise and single-family unit arrangements.
2
Downtown and University of Texas. Sites found in vacant space near intersate, around fastood restaurants, and between highrises. Mid to high rise unit arrangments.
3
Intersection of I-35 and lightrail near Hancock Center Mall. Sites found in empty intersate spaces, vacant mall lots, and behindbig box buildings. Low rise unit arrangement.
4
Jollyville neighborhood in Northern Austin. Sites found in underutilized green space around EBAY headquarters, in the abandoned quarry, and along existing dam. Single family unit arrangement.
1 2 3 4 20-55 y/o adults, blue and white collar workers in adjacent business park, small households 1-4 people
Numerous college students, tech professionals 22-40, high single/divorced 65+, no families, single living
44% Low Income, 45% Middle Income, $1000/mo median rent
56% high income, median rent is $1847/mo, generally wealthy
No connection to light rail, predominantly cars, 25 min commute
Walkable, less car usage, connected to light rail and bus transit, close to community support
Mostly renters, high college student numerous single family developments
65% Renters, dense apartments, parking outside of unit
population,
most diverse, 25-50 y/o adults, few children, small household sizes, many college kids
Above avg 65+, more families w children, low single person living
41% middle income, 32% low income, $1200/mo rent
54% middle income, 28% high income, high transit costs, median rent is $1178
Directly on light rail line, use transit systems, most access to city features and support
Cars, often multi car households, long commutes, private car storage
60% rent, 40% own,
43% owners, 57% renters, most single family homes
TECH. HOOD
IRS STACK
Site 1 - Low density single family homes comprised of multiple units
Site 1 - Mid density stacking in the under-utilized IRS parking lot
PACKED BOX
MC’WRAP
Site 1 - High density units packed around a “big box store” / warehouse
Site 2 - High density units wrap a McDonalds near UT.
HIGHWAY FILL
CITY PACKING
SITE 2 - High density units fill voids in downtown turnpike.
Site 2 - High density units packed between downtown mid and high rises.
TECH-A-BOUT
EMPLOYEE PARKING
Site 3- High density units stacked to fit within green interchange space
Site 3 - Low density units stacked along parking behind strip mall
SEARING LOT
QUARRYVILLE
Site 3 - Mid-density unit infill of under-utilized parking around a mall
Site 4 - Single Family Units fill an abandoned dam in Jollyville.
LOT ISLAND
DAM STRAIGHT
Site 4 - Single Family units occupy parking lot islands outside EBAY.
Site 4 - Single family units run along a dam in Jollyville.
Screen Retraction System Shower / RR Screen
Light Fixture
Sliding Door
Refridgerator Sink and Shelving
Each band in the Apple Unit exhibits program. Features are contolled by a device or control pad. Some can be
Screen Retraction System Shower / RR Screen
Light Fixture RR Storage Sliding Door
RR Control Pad Refridgerator Operable Fixture Sink and Shelving
INTERIOR
Units are preassembled in programmed bands. Then they are brought to the site to begin to fill vacant spaces in W San Francisco. Cranes place each structurally independent unit
SCALED MODULES
PLAN LAYOUT
SMART WALLS UNIT SIZES
Adjustability on multiple Scales From the assemblage of the building community, to the unit, all the way down to each pod, the Google Community offers choices in the search for a perfect living situation.
As more pods are craned into place to form units within their vertical yard, a diverse architecture emerges. Public spaces create themselves between units and in the leftover yard slots.
ALTERNATE SCHEME
ALTERNATE SCHEME
SITE 1 - NEIGHBORHOOD CONNECTIONS
SITE 1 - LOTS
SITE 2 - INFILL CONNECTIONS
SITE 2 - TECH PROG. VS BUILDING PROG.
SITE 3 PLUGGED INTO CITY
SITE 4 - INTERIOR CONNECTIONS
SITE 4 - LOTS
SITE 1
SITE 1
SITE 2
SITE 2
SITE 2
SITE 3
SITE 3
SITE 4
SITE 5
SITE 4