High Thought - Low Tech: Housing the Other Half

high thought – low tech housing the other half university of tennessee - knoxville | college of architecture + design | 490 mark dekay diploma studio | spring 2013

High Thought – Low Tech Summary Report

Table of Contents High Thought – Low Tech 1 Studio Premise Phase 1: Research and Analysis 2 International Studio Phases Explained 6

Establish Communication

8

Seismic Research

14 Tennessee Site Analysis 40 India Site Analysis 52 Precedent Analysis: Congo Street Initiative in Dallas, Texas 58 Precedent Analysis: Quinta Monroy in Iquique, Chile USA Sites: Vestal, Tennessee 66 Emily Dent + Tyler Puryear [Phase 2] 70 Emily Dent + Tyler Puryear [Phase 3] 74 Andrew Greene + John Halford [Phase 2] 76 Andrew Greene + John Halford [Phase 3] 80 Adam Bates + Sarah Howell [Phase 2] 84 Adam Bates [Phase 3] India Sites: Waghnagar (Vaghnagar), Gujarat 94 Kyter Steffes + Rochelle Lo [Phase 2] 98 Kyter Steffes + Rochelle Lo + Sarah Howell [Phase 3] 104 Jordan Bailey + Michael Nelson [Phase 2] 108 Jordan Bailey + Michael Nelson [Phase 3] 114 Forrest Reynolds + Sam Bouck [Phase 2] 120 Forrest Reynolds + Sam Bouck [Phase 3]

Studio Premise

Developed by Associate Professor Mark DeKay

GIVING BACK

• HOUSING THE OTHER HALF • DIY meets the LIVING BUILDING CHALLENGE • TRANSITION TO PRACTICE Graduate concentration application: Sustainable Design

HOUSING THE OTHER HALF

50% of the world population lives in villages. The world population is predicted to stabilize at 9 billion. At least 4/5ths of these people are poorer than you. They will never afford architects for their housing. Let’s apply design thinking for the economic bottom 1/5. Much attention has been placed on the process of urbanization, but an equal and relatively unaddressed need is in the rural settlements where the poorest people still live. As resources are stressed in the 21st century with 9 billion inhabitants, and having passed “peak oil,” predictions are that urbanization will be partially reversed as people need to grow more food locally.

DIY meets the LIVING BUILDING CHALLENGE (beyond LEED)

Most people on the planet build their own houses. What if architects created systems for self-building that were beautiful, frugal, and environmentally effective? What if instead of a single building you could design a way of building that people themselves could replicate thousands of times?

The Living Building Challenge is the new standard in sustainable design that embraces “regional solutions and respond to a number of variables, including climate factors and cultural characteristics.” It is more radical than the more commercialized LEED, “no points, all pre- requisites” with “nature as the ultimate measuring stick of performance.”

Transition to Practice

This includes two themes: “developing the whole architect” and “buildable ideals.”

Developing the whole architect means addressing the current practice realities of collaboration and communication skills, along with working in different cultural contexts.

We will work via digital exchange with design students in four “countries” for projects set in the four situations: China, India, Mexico, and Mississippi.

Buildable ideals means creating a transition to practice by grounding the idealism of design school (in this case housing for the poor) with the groundedness of design carried out through to the details and verified structurally, materially, and with computer energy models and other quantitative tools of practice--just like in the “real” world.

Good ideas are easy; good buildable ideas, difficult.

This class should appeal to those who are committed to making a contribution with their craft and to those who can see themselves as young architects ready for the world, no longer mere students.

.

|1

Phase 1: Research and Analysis

Phase 1: Research and Analysis

International Studio Phases Explained

Team Structure: Teams formed within each studio to research precedents and develop site analysis for the local site.

Adam + Forrest + Sam

The studio was quickly divided into four teams at the beginning of the semester to head up semester management, communication, seismic research, and demographic research. The semester management team was tasked with laying out the semester calendar to coordinate work among India, Mexico, and USA. The plan divided the semester into three (3) phases. The first phase would be used by each studio in each country to establish research and analysis of local precedent and possible sites.

For the second phase, each selected site in each country would have two teams of approximately six (6) students each (two [2] students from each country). This phase would be for creating a foundation of moves and research for the project culminating in a schematic test of the ideas. Upon completion of the second phase, the teams would then swap projects with another team in another country. Whereby, each team is now working with another team’s project in a new country/site.

The remainder of the semester would be the third phase. The teams would then fully investigate, develop and detail the schemes given to them. The intent of this three phase process is to create the ability to work on multiple sites and projects while also having teammates from that country to easily answer questions.

Team TIM (Tennessee India Mexico), as we began to call our international studio, had to shift plans when Mexico was given a great opportunity to work on a project they might actually construct. Therefore, by the end of phase one, the teams were created between India and the USA only.

After the second phase, it was determined that most students did not what to switch projects and thought it would be most beneficial to continue investigating what had already been started. This is how the phasing of the semester was imagined and alternatively carried out.

Phase Objectives: Each studio provide local research and information for the site located in their country Each studio provide 3 domestic and 3 international precedent studies

India studio

Mexico studio

USA studio

2|

Phase 1

International Studio Phases Explained

|3

Phase 2: Guidelines and Framework

Phase 3: Design Development

Team Structure: 3 sites (USA, INDIA, MEXICO) Each site will have 2 teams Each team will consist of 2 USA, 2 India, 2 Mexico students Each team will complete phase 2

Phase Objectives: Research and establish form and performance guidelines Research and establish material and system frameworks Establish a concept design Establish a site design

Team Structure:

Phase Objectives:

Teams will begin phase 3 by exchanging phase 2 with another team Each team will then design and develop the project following the new set of guidelines, framework, and concepts For example, Team C will design the India site project utilizing the guidelines and frameworks established by Team A in phase 2.

Design within the guidelines and frameworks established in phase 2 Develop housing variations Develop site plan

Phase 2 Teams

India site

Team A

Team B

Team A

Team B

India site

Team C

Mexico site

Team C

Team D

Team F

Team D

Mexico site

Team E

USA site

Phase 3 Teams

Team C USA site

Team E

Team F

India site

Team F

Team A

Mexico site

4|

Phase 1

Team B

Team E

Team D

USA site

International Studio Phases Explained

|5

left: India studio teammates collaborate of environmental strategies for design

Establish Communication

Right: Bi-weekly group video conference with Indian colleagues

John Halford + Michael Nelson + Rochelle Lo

bottom: Professor Shrad and Darpan join in the final UT studio presentations via Skype

Much effort was put forth to establish effective and timely communications with the other studios. Knoxville [USA EST] is 10.5 hours behind India Standard Time [IST] when not on daylight savings time.

This proved a legistical challenge but a great learning experience.

Blogs: http://usa-teamtim2013.tumblr.com http://india-teamtim2013.tumblr.com http://mexico-teamtim2013.tumblr.com

6|

Phase 1

We planned to use technology and programs we had in common to best communicate. Skype was used for conferences and reviews. We created three Tumblr blogs as a way of posting culturally relevant activities that were taking place as well as our work in process. We used it as a platform to post work, in different media forms, to ask questions that could be viewed and answered at India’s convenience. A YouTube channel allowed for initial introductions by each student and faculty apart of team TIM. Google Calendar held our multi-studio schedule. Each studio posted review dates, holidays, video conferences, and other important timing events. Box and Dropbox are online data

storage and sharing sites that we used extensively to share information, documents, and important files. Even with this spectrum of communicating technology, much, if not most, communication happened via email. Every team emailed their foreign counterparts to attempt collaboration and streamline understanding cultural differences and architectural practices. Some teams also used the iPhone application WhatsApp as a mode of texting internationally, which is very popular in India.

While this was a full studio for the students in the USA, it was only an elective for students in India. This course and collaboration took place in addition to their studio coursework. As a result not all groups had successful communication with their teammates abroad. However, there we learned a lot about their cultural background from the interaction we had with those students who fully participated.

Establish Communication

|7

Seismic Research

Therefore it is advisable to enlarge the section at this corner, shown in Figs. 6-8 and 6-9. Fig. 612 shows different proposals for plans utilizing angular elements.

Emily Dent + Sarah Howell + Tyler Puryear

When it comes to seismic design, materials are one of the first things to be considered. With masonry, there are some general strategies (as seen in the diagrams on the right) that are used to help reinforce the walls. The main focus of this research thus became how to design the shape of the building in such a way that the masonry could provide stabilization on its own.

A simple solution for stabilizing masonry (including rammed earth or adobe brick) walls of a lesser thickness is to design them in the shapes seen in figures 6-8 and 6-9. These types of corner solutions provide a more stabilized wall system. If the wall is 30 cm thick, for example, then the free ends of the elements should not be longer than 3/4 and not shorter than 1/3 of their height, as seen in figure 6-6.

This minimal length is necessary to transfer the loads diagonally to the foundation.

If the angle is well fixed on the bottom to the foundation and on the top to a ring beam, it can be larger or higher. Regardless, the height should not be more than 8 times the width of the wall.

To improve lateral stability the joint of two elements should be formed with tongue and groove, see Fig. 6-10. However, in order to obtain a more flexible structure, elements with shorter length and no tongue and groove joint should be used (Fig. 6-11), if the elements are well linked to a ring beam above and to a plinth below. This kind of solution is used in the project described in chapter 6.4.

The forces perpendicular to the wall are transferred into the angle of the corner.

This means it is transferred instead of creating a stress concentration at the inner corner of the angle (figure 6-8).

Therefore, it is advisable to enlarge the section at this corner, shown in figure 6-8 and 6-9. To improve lateral stability, the joint of two elements should be formed with tongue and groove. However in order to obtain a more flexible structure, el6-5 shorter Wall elements by their shape ements with length stabilized and no tongue and groove joint can be used. These can only be used though if the elements are well linked to a ring beam above and to a foundation below.

dangerous

6-6 Recommended proportions

6-8 Corner solution

16

Another factor to consider is the where the center of mass and the center of resistance are located, as can be seen in figure 6-18. The closer the center of resistance is to the center of mass, then the less impact the earthquake will have on the building. In figure 6-18, the center of resistance is not close to the center of mass, thus the dotted lines shows the torque response.

6-7 Expedient proportion of wall

8|

Phase 1

correct

6-9 Elements with correct corner details

17

Seismic Research

|9

United States Seismic Zones Map Seattle Olympia

Washington

Portland

North Dakota

Helena

Salem

Montana Oregon

San Francisco

Lincoln Denver

Kansas City

Colorado

San Jose Las Vegas

Missouri

Arizona New Mexico

Kaua‘i

Jonesboro

Raleigh North C arolina

Tennessee

Charlotte

Memphis

Dallas

(Ground Acceleration)

South C arolina

Zone 0 = 0.0g

Georgia

M ississip p i

Montgomery

Jackson

Zone 1 = 0.075g

Alabama

Honolulu

Lo u isia n a

Texas

Maui

Austin

Hawaii

Zone 2A = 0.15g

Tallahassee

Baton Rouge

Houston

Alaska

Zone 2B = 0.20g

Guam Hagatna

Luckily, all three sites were located in the low to mid range of the scales. This led us to conclude that a construction method that is widely used (masonry and adobe block construction) would be acceptable for each of the sites.

Seismic Zones

Columbia Atlanta

Arkansas

O‘ahu

Maryland

Virginia

Kentucky

Little Rock

Norman Fort Worth

Delaware

Annapolis

Washington D.C.

Nashville

Oklahoma City

Phoenix

Dover

St. Louis

Oklahoma

New Jersey

Ohio

Charleston Virginia Richmond Frankfort

Louisville

Jefferson City

Trenton

Harrisburg

West

Wichita Santa Fe

Chicago I n d i a n a Columbus Illinois Indianapolis Springfield

Topeka Kansas

Los Angeles

Pennsylvania

Des Moines

Nebraska

Massachusetts

Providence

Rhode Island Connecticut

Hartford White Plains

Madison

Iowa

Utah

Concord Albany Boston

Lansing

Cheyenne

Salt Lake City

Nevada

New York

M ic h ig a n

Wyoming

Reno Carson City

San Diego

New Hampshire

Montpelier Wisconsin

Pierre

Ogden

California

Vermont

St. Paul

South Dakota

Rexburg

Sacramento

Augusta

Minnesota

Boise

The following are a series of seismic maps of the United States, India, and Mexico. Each map indicates which seismic zone each of the sites is located in.

This information was crucial to know because if the site was in a very high seismic zone, then the construction of the homes would have to be considered in a different way than that of the lower or no activity zones.

Maine

Bismarck

Idaho

Florida

Anchorage

Zone 3 = 0.30g

Miami

Zone 4 = 0.40g

Juneau

Puerto Rico

Source: 1997 Edition UBC

San Juan

Caribbean & Virgin Islands

In the United States, the Tennessee site is located in one of the lower seismic areas, which means any form of construction (masonry, wood, etc.) would be acceptable. In Mexico and India, the sites are slightly more active. In addition to this, these two countries have very limited resources, which means that masonry (and adobe blocks) may be the better choice for construction since they can be locally produced.

Seattle Olympia

Washington

Portland

North Dakota

Helena

Salem

Montana

Maine

Bismarck

Wisconsin

Pierre

Lansing

Cheyenne

Salt Lake City

Nevada

Lincoln

Utah

Denver

Kansas City

Colorado

San Jose Las Vegas

Jefferson City

Arizona

San Diego

New Mexico

Kaua‘i

Norman Fort Worth

Jonesboro

Little Rock

Washington D.C.

Dallas

Raleigh

Charlotte

Memphis

Columbia Atlanta

M ississip p i

Jackson

South C arolina

Georgia

Montgomery

Lo u isia n a

Texas

Maui

Austin

Hawaii

Baton Rouge

Wind Zones Zone I

U

(130 mph)

Zone II (160 mph)

Alabama

Honolulu

Maryland

Virginia

North C arolina

Tennessee

Arkansas

O‘ahu

Zone III (200 mph)

Tallahassee

Houston

Zone IV (250 mph)

Alaska

Guam Hagatna

Delaware

Annapolis

Kentucky

Nashville

Oklahoma City

Phoenix

Dover

St. Louis

Oklahoma

New Jersey

Ohio

Charleston Virginia Richmond Frankfort

Louisville

Missouri

Trenton

Harrisburg

West

Wichita Santa Fe

Chicago I n d i a n a Columbus Illinois Indianapolis Springfield

Topeka Kansas

Los Angeles

Pennsylvania

Des Moines

Nebraska

Massachusetts

Providence

Rhode Island Connecticut

Hartford White Plains

Madison

Iowa

Reno Carson City

Concord Albany Boston

M ic h ig a n

Wyoming

Ogden

California

New Hampshire

New York

St. Paul

South Dakota

Rexburg

San Francisco

Vermont

Montpelier

Boise

Sacramento

Augusta

Minnesota

Idaho

Oregon

Florida

Anchorage

Other Considerations

Miami

Puerto Rico

Special Wind Region

Juneau

San Juan

Hurricane Susceptible Regions

Caribbean Islands

Design Wind Speeds (3-second gust) consistent with ASCE 7-98

10|

Phase 1

N Seismic Research

|11

map photo credit: earthquake.usgs.gov imd.gov.in

12|

Phase 1

Seismic Research

|13

History

Tennessee Site Analysis

Kyter Steffes + Rochelle Lo + Jordan Bailey + Tyler Puryear + Emily Dent

Analysis Contents History City Context Local Context Site Drawings

As early as 1800, settlers inhabited the area south of the river near the growing city of Knoxville. The area remained sparsely populated until after the Civil War when multiple bridges were established to provide better access to areas of Knoxville and promote an increase in industrial development.

The place named “Vestal” was created by the Vestal Lumber and Manufacturing Company, which was established in the 1880s. With railroad connecting to its lumber yards, the company created hundreds of jobs, resulting in a rapid expansion of the area’s population. A “company town,” based upon the operations of the lumber mill developed near Maryville Pike and Ogle Avenue, and became the focus of commercial and church development. The lumber company became one of the South’s largest, but declined in the mid-20th century and closed in 1963.

As the population of Vestal was rapidly growing at the end of the 19th century, Vestal was briefly incorporated as the City of South Knoxville. As bridges and rail lines opened access to Vestal, more commercial and industrial activities were

Materials + Construction Techniques

Vestal Township Site Overview + Information

Top: Vestal Lumber Company Office, circa 1915 Bottom left: James and Edward Vestal, 1927 Bottom right: Vestal Lumber Company Courtesy of the McClung Historical Collection 14|

Phase 1

|15

History

1800

late 1880s

1917

2013

Settlers inhabit South of river in Knoxville.

Vestal’s population is rapidly growing.

Vestal becomes part of the city of Knoxville.

Vestal is in a slow and steady decline.

1963 1880

1923

Vestal Lumber & Manufacturing Co. create “Vestal.”

Candoro Marble Co. Showroom & Garage is built.

Vestal Lumber & Manufacturing Co. closes. Vestal starts declining.

1914 Candoro Marble Co. is founded.

History Cont. established in the community and further spurred population growth. Much of Vestal was eventually added to the city of Knoxville in 1917 as larger industries became established in the area.

One of those industries was the Candoro Marble Company.

Founded in 1914 by John J. Craig, III and three business partners, the Candoro Marble Company Showroom and Garage was built in 1923. It was designed by Charles Barber, a prominent Knoxville architect and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The company provided Tennessee marble for the construction of many monumental buildings in the eastern United States.

16|

Phase 1

John J. Craig, III led Candoro Marble Company to emerge as the country’s leading producer ofTennessee pink marble and one of the largest importers of marble in the United States. Marble carvings produced by Candoro Marble Company appear in prominent buildings of Washington D.C., New York City, and locally in the downtown Post Office building. The town of Vestal served as a self-contained community with an ice cream shop, grocery, dry cleaners, and many other businesses that provided employment and services for the area’s residents through much of the beginning of the 20th century. Since the 1960s, as key industrial and commercial businesses closed or moved out of the area, Vestal has experienced a slow and steady decline in population and new investments in the community.

Top: The Vestal Trolley provided a connection to downtown.

Center: Candoro Marble Company, December 5,1941.

Bottom: Jones Chapel is one of Vestal’s early churches.

Courtesy of the McClung Historical Collection

|17

City Context

City Information

City Context

Vestal is a small community/neighborhood in South Knoxville.

Vestal has an area of only 1.5 square miles; Knoxville’s overall area is 98 square miles. Vestal’s population is approximately 3,000; Knoxville’s total population is around 180,000.

Vestal (and South Knoxville) are separated from the rest of Knoxville by the Tennessee River. However, it is just a short drive (5 minutes) from Vestal to downtown Knoxville. The Vestal community is located off of Chapman Highway, a busy main road that goes through South Knoxville; the highway connects Knoxville to the city of Sevierville and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Located nearby is Fort Dickerson, a fort that was used to protect Knoxville during the American Civil War in the 1860s.

In addition to cars, the Vestal community has a connection to the rest of Knoxville through the use of the Knoxville Area Transit (KAT) buses. Most of the residents’ amenities are found along Chapman Highway or are in downtown Knoxville; there are not many within Vestal.

Ten Minute drive from Vestal

Downtown Knoxville Courthouse

Knoxville City County Building

City of Knoxville Courtesy of City-Data.com

The University of Tennessee Five Minute drive from Vestal Dogwood Elementary School

South Knoxville Chapman Highway

Flenniken Elementary School

Vestal Project Sites

Public Bus Route

18|

Phase 1

|19

Downtown Grill and Brewery (George Richardson)

City Context

Demographic Information

Population density: Vestal:

2,116 people per square mile

Knoxville:

1,877 people per square mile

Knoxville:

$31,898

Average household size: Vestal:

2.6 people

Knoxville:

2.1 people

Vestal:

3.1 members

Knoxville:

2.8 members

Percentage of married-couple families (amoung all households): Vestal:

33.2%

Knoxville:

35.3%

Percentage of married-couple families with children (amoung all households): Vestal:

15.2%

Knoxville:

13.3%

Percentage of single-mother households (amoung all households):

20|

Phase 1

Vestal:

22.6%

Knoxville:

9.2%

Knoxville Area Transit (photo by Michael Patrick)

Average family size:

Knoxville City County Building (photo by Brian Stansberry)

$26,283

Howard Baker Jr. Courthouse

Vestal:

Market Square

Median household income 2009:

|21

Panorama of Vestal Center (Photo by Michael Nelson)

Vestal United Methodist Church (Photo by Michael Nelson)

Interior of Supermarket (Sears Holdings Corp.)

City Context

Local Context

There are two sites chosen for development in Vestal’s local community. Each of these sites provides their own challenges yet they each have the potential to provide back to the local community.

The first site (130 Ogle Avenue) is located within the Vestal town center just Southwest of the town’s main intersection. It has direct access to local shops and creeks. There is a local restaurant within immediate walking distance of the site as well as a church across the road.

The second site (311 West Young High) is located only a few minutes walking distance East from the town center. It is a little more isolated than the first site but it has an advantage by being located directly between Vestal’s center and a major grocery market further East of the site.

22|

Phase 1

130 Ogle Avenue

311 West Young High

Pease Furniture (Photo by Michael Nelson)

King Tut’s (Photo by Michael Nelson)

In addition, these site’s are slightly larger than the average plot size for a home in the Vestal community.

|23

Local Context

Local Context

Major Intersections + Local Food Resources

Ten minute walk from Vestal city center

311 West Young High St.

130 Ogle Avenue Public Bus Route

Five minute walk from Vestal city center

130 Ogle Ave.

Traffic Patterns

311 West Young High

Tennessee Asphalt Co.

Candora Marble Factory

Local Community Buildings Local Mercantile Buildings

24|

Phase 1

|25

Materials / Construction

Site Information

130 Ogle Avenue and 311 West Young High Pike are the addresses of the two potential sites in Vestal. Each site lies within a 5 minute walking distance from the Vestal town center and the public bus line to Knoxville.

Primarily three building types are seen in the area of Vestal with variances in scale, material palette, and layout. These three building types use materials and techniques that relate to the landscape, climate, and tradition of east Tennessee. These building types are typically single family residences and employ a material palette that uses both local and imported materials.

The most common materials used are stone and wood with some metal and vinyl used for roofing and siding. These materials are seen throughout residential parts of Knoxville and east Tennessee as well.

This sections shows the basic construction techniques use skills and construction knowledge of local craftsmen and builders. Wooden framing, pitched roof and vinyl, brick or stone siding are all typical of the architecture of Vestal.

Red House in Vestal Courtesy of Jordan Bailey

26|

Phase 1

|27

Materials/Construction masonry (brick) chimney shingle roof

masonry (stone) chimney shingle roof vinyl siding

vinyl siding

storm door

storm door

masonry (stone)

wood deck and handrail

concrete walkway

concrete walkway

Single Family House in Vestal | Image C/O Jordan Bailey

Single Family House in Vestal | Image C/O Jordan Bailey

masonry (brick) chimney metal roof masonry (brick) chimney

wood siding

shingle roof asbestos siding storm door wood columns

storm door

masonry (brick) base

masonry (brick) concrete base

concrete walkway Single Family House in Vestal | Image C/O Jordan Bailey

Single Family House in Vestal | Image C/O Jordan Bailey

Wood Framed Construction

Masonary + Composite

Knoxville and the surrounding area is populated with trees that can provide a substantial amount of wood. There is a saw mill (for processing trees into lumber for construction) right outside of the Knoxville region.

Wood is used throughout Knoxville, primarily for residential projects. Is is easily accessible and relatively cheap to build with.

Most of the housing in Knoxville is constructed using wood because of its reasonable cost and its reliability in strength. For the community of Vestal, using wood as a construction material

28|

Phase 1

could be a cost efficient method to use, simply because it is one of the quicker and easier forms of construction found within the surrounding area. However, other materials could potentially be more efficient and would need to be considered.

Using wood has its advantages, but it typically requires more skill to build with. In order to use wood in a residential house, particularly in the structure, it takes a trained person. The residents of Vestal could potentially learn to construct with wood, if someone was helping guide them.

Masonry and concrete are easily accessible to the region surrounding Knoxville. There are a few concrete plants within a 20 mile radius of Vestal and there is a large masonry (brick/block) factory outside of the city that produces an abundant amount of bricks.

Concrete is primarily used in larger construction projects, such as commercial (office) buildings. Concrete is intended to be implemented for structural uses more so than for looks. Brick is mostly used in residential homes as cladding (for looks/aesthetics) rather than for structure. Using bricks as structure is possible, but it is more expensive and complicated. Therefore, the construction technique of using brick for structure was fazed out many years ago.

For the people of Vestal, some may have a job that has provided them with the skills necessary to use these materials in a residential setting, but it is unlikely. For instance, concrete typically requires very little skill if it is going to be used for something basic. However if it is going to be used for structural purposes, it will take someone who has more experience to handle the material. While there are proper ways to lay brick that require a skilled hand, a local resident could be taught how to use the material. This would allow them to help aid in the construction of a low-tech, low budget project that incorporates masonry and concrete, whether it was their own house or a community project.

|29

Balloon Framing

30|

Phase 1

Roof Framing

Materials/Construction

|31

Roof Framing (Continued)

32|

Phase 1

Foundation

Materials/Construction

|33

Stone Construction

34|

Phase 1

Unreinforced Masonry

Materials/Construction

|35

Unreinforced Masonry (Continued)

36|

Phase 1

Unreinforced Masonry (Continued)

Materials/Construction

|37

Wood Stud Framing

38|

Phase 1

Wood Joist Framing

Materials/Construction

|39

India Site Analysis

Provided by Professor Sharad Sheth and his students

40|

Phase 1

|41

42|

Phase 1

|43

44|

Phase 1

|45

46|

Phase 1

|47

48|

Phase 1

|49

SCHEMATIC PLAN COURTYARD

Loft for stacking dried cowdung and hay

STORE

WOODEN WORKSHOP

cow-shed

Loft for stacking dried cowdung COURTYARD

Living room and a bedroom which has been renovated recently.

NEIGHBOUR'S HOUSE

VERANDAH

NEIGHBOUR'S HOUSE

LIVING

BEDROOM

A passage that leads to the toilet TOILET ENTRANCE

Store room

Toilet

KITCHEN

MAIN STREET

The central courtyard is used for multiple purposes.

This house is a G+1 storeyed house with a mezanine inside where the family sleeps.But the most INTERESTING THING is that the house does not have a staircase to go the above floor they use ladder instead.

After the two small rooms there is a large courtyard . adjacent to which is a small kitchen. and the bathroom and toilet is at the other end of the courtyard.

cow-dung/coal as fuel for cooking

TOILET

COWSHED + HAY STACK

In this house a carpenter and his wife stay.Their sons are off to the city to make money . They earn their livelihood by doing work as a carpenter in the village.

-INTERESTING FACT-The old lady in family walks down the street to a near by borewell, to get potable drinking water.

VILLAGE CULTURE AND ITS CHARACTERISTICS 50|

Phase 1

HAY STACK COURTYARD

KITCHEN

VERANDAH

MEZANNINE

MAIN STREET

MAIN STREET

The cooking is done here in the courtyard in a strategic location where the wind is obstructed by the wall.

mezannine

LIVING

MY VIEWS OF WAGHNAGAR VILLAGE- CHARVI KAMAT |51

Precedent Analysis: Congo Street Initiative in Dallas, Texas Building Community Workshop

Existing Infrastructure “Congo Street is located just two miles from Dallas’s city center and three blocks from the Texas State Fair grounds in the East Dallas neighborhood of Jubilee Park, a 62- block area housing approximately 2,000 predominantly low-income residents. With a density of 26 units per acre and houses averaging 600 square feet, Congo Street is a remnant of a socially and economically segregated time. Built around 1920, this small community of dwellings fell into

Context 52|

Phase 1

Social: “The Congo Street Initiative started from the desire to help stabilize the homeownership of five families on Congo Street, which was forgotten and slated to be removed and redeveloped. The project grew through intense interaction with residents, stakeholders and partners into a collaborative design and redevelopment effort that produced three phases of work.”

-buildingcommunityWORKSHOP

disrepair with little attention from landlords, the surrounding neighborhood, or the City itself.”

-buildingcommunityWORKSHOP Climate: The city of Dallas is located in a southern prairie climate zone - humid and hot and is often prone to storms.

Community Precedent Analysis: Congo Street Initiative in Dallas, Texas

|53

Expansion and Phasing: Holding House “With a common desire to remain on the street despite the urgent need to repair their homes, residents were hesitant to move forward with any plans that would displace them, even temporarily. The challenge was how to redevelop without relying upon relocation or incurring steep financial burden. bcWORKSHOP and the residents began by exploring alternative solutions. Through neighborhood meetings, the idea emerged to build a new residence on the street that would serve as a temporary home for each family during the evaluation and renovation/ rebuilding of their homes. The Holding House model delivered a new value to this community by rebuilding it while retaining its social cohesion.”

-buildingcommunityWORKSHOP

Adaptability 54|

Phase 1

Construction: De-constructing and re-constructing 5 family homes “Next, one by one, each family moved into the Holding House and was closely involved in the design and construction of the rebuilding of their homes. As the original structures measured 625 square feet each, larger contemporary homes would have been inappropriate for the scale of the street.

Thoughtful design driven by resident input resulted in functional, energy efficient homes with small footprints. The largest rebuilt home measures just 975 square feet distributed on two stories, accommodating a large, multigenerational household.”

-buildingcommunityWORKSHOP

Adaptability Precedent Analysis: Congo Street Initiative in Dallas, Texas

|55

Life-Cycle: “Instead of conventional demolition, each existing home was carefully deconstructed to preserve the materials. The incorporation of those reclaimed materials in the new home preserve the memory of the old home and the familial connections to each place...

Construction: The new Green street design features a system that maximizes the filtration of rainfall and other runoff. The street width for traffic is reduced, limiting the use of impervious concrete and improving pedestrian safety. All aspects if the initiative were optimized for multiple dimensions of performance...

The addition of solar power and solar thermal systems to the homes and educating the residents on the systems assist in reducing their energy consumption and utility costs.”

-buildingcommunityWORKSHOP

Materials 56|

Phase 1

Demographic: “Many Congo Street residents are the children and grandchildren of former renters and witness to multiple generations of its tight-knit community. The area continues to struggle with poverty, language barriers, low educational attainment, lack of job skills and vocational opportunities, and other challenges of lower-income communities...

Building Program: Beyond securing healthier indoor air quality, energy efficiency, and durability through sustainable building practices, all homes are also shaped to contribute to the social enrichment and livelihood of the street through features such as generous front porches and shared landscaping.”

-buildingcommunityWORKSHOP photo and text content credit: bcworkshop.org/bcW/ongo-street-initiative/

Use / Program Precedent Analysis: Congo Street Initiative in Dallas, Texas

|57

Precedent Analysis: Quinta Monroy in Iquique, Chile Elemental

Existing Infrastructure: The city of Iquique, Chile has a population of around 200,000 and the urban fabric is highly dense. The site, which is 5,000 square meters, is located roughly in the center of the city, near the downtown area. The location allows residents to have access to the city’s opportunities.

Context 58|

Phase 1

Climate: Iquique lies just west of the Atacama Desert, along the Pacific coast. The climate conditions are mild desert-like with an average high of 71.7°F and an average low of 61.5°F. There is hardly any rainfall throughout the year.

Social: The entire site consists of 93 low-income households. The units are arranged so that they form four clusters, each with their own courtyard area. The courtyards are intended to be public community spaces that are shared by the approximately 20 families who live in the surrounding units.

Each courtyard has restricted access to those living in the cluster.

Community Precedent Analysis: Quinta Monroy in Iquique, Chile

|59

Expansion: Within the voids between each unit, there is enough space for the residents of both the upper and lower levels to expand (double) their living spaces. The lower picture illustrates this expansion.

Construction: The construction used reinforced concrete framing and concrete blocks as the infill to the main structure. The secondary structure is wooden framing and panels, so residents may easily expand without harming the home’s structural integrity.

Phasing: There were two phases to the project.

The first phase included building half of the building. This served as the base structure. The second phase is an ongoing process. It occurs when the residents have enough money and the ability to expand on their own.

Adaptability 60|

Phase 1

COST: The budget was $7,500 (US currency) per unit. This included everything involved in the first phase of the building (the land, the infrastructure, etc.).

Materials Precedent Analysis: Quinta Monroy in Iquique, Chile

|61

SKILLS: The building was designed so that when the residents had the capability to expand, it would require little skill to increase their living space.

PASSIVE SYSTEMS: The passive system found within this project is natual ventilation through both the doors and windows. These openings provide cross ventilation within the home.

Materials 62|

Phase 1

DEMOGRAPHICS: The amount of people living in each unit is determined by the residents themselves.

The size of their unit will help determine that amount. As a whole, their income average is very low. Prior to construction, the area had developed into a community that had a low quality of living.

BUILDING PROGRAM: Each one of the units was initially built to be approximately 350 square feet.

When fully expanded, the units have the potential to be 750 square feet.The base design included structure, access stairs, doorways and plumbing. The rest of the programming was left up to the residents.

photo and text content credit: archdaily.com/10775 elementalchile.cl moma.org/interactives/exhibitions/2010/ smallscalebigchange/projects/quinta_monroy_housing

Use/Program Precedent Analysis: Quinta Monroy in Iquique, Chile

|63

USA Sites: Vestal, Tennessee Teams: Emily Dent + Tyler Puryear Andrew Greene + John Halford Adam Bates (+ Sarah Howell)

64|

|65

Emily Dent + Tyler Puryear [Phase 2] Guidelines and Framework International Collaborators: Charvi Kamat and Dhanashree Monohar Analysis + Master Plan Vision + Principals Systems + Framework + Strategies Prototype (for foundry)

Vision:

Analysis:

To help revitalize Vestal through the development of an affordable, sustainable housing community.

The site presents the initial challenge of how to fit ten to twelve housing units on only .8 of an acre. The site also has steep topography, which slopes down to a creek that runs through the middle of the site. This results in even less area to work with. Another initial concern is how to incorporate outdoor community space within the site that everyone will be able to use.

Our response to the steep topography is to create a stepping terrace on the northern side of the site. This terrace will help to organize both the individual lots and the community space. The common house and the parking will be located to the south of the creek. The common house will sit on grade, while the parking will be located on a built platform.

In order to provide equal amounts of space to each of the families, there will

66|

Phase 2

2

1

1

2

2

1

need to be six lots, each with two houses, on the northern part of the site. Each lot (30’ x 45’) will be divided into six (15’ x 15’) blocks. The family will build on two of these blocks, while the last block will serve as their private outdoor space.

Housing design patterns are developed to help guide the arrangement of the housing prototypes. Each house begins as a 15’ x 30’ space with the potential to later expand vertically. Expansion will allow for additional bedrooms and/or a home office to be added, as the family sees fit.

For the construction system, we propose using pole barn construction, with Hempcrete as the insulation material.

These materials and construction methods should allow for the house to easily expand vertically in the future.

Emily Dent + Tyler Puryear

|67

Engineered Lumber

Plaster Finish

Hempcrete (Block or Infill)

Shared Front Porch

Aggregate/Gravel

Housing Cluster Prototype Landscaping

Earth

Private Outdoor Space Concrete Foundation

Proposed Construction System

Expansion - Additional Bedroom

Privacy Gradient

Open Floor Plan

Plumbing Core

68|

Phase 2

Bath

Bath

Kitchen

Kitchen

Expansion - Home Office

Vertical Expansion

Emily Dent + Tyler Puryear

|69

Emily Dent + Tyler Puryear [Phase 3] Design Development Developed Site Plan Systems Materials Details Variation and expansion

Abstract: The project focuses on providing affordable housing for low-income families, specifically in the Vestal community of South Knoxville. The chosen site has unique conditions, which include steep topography and a creek running through the middle of the site. The vision for the project is to develop a sense of community throughout. This is accomplished on the site level through the use of a common house, as well as a large community garden running through the central corridor. Parking also contributes by being placed away from the houses and therefore encouraging residents to interact as they walk home. Within the site we have designated five lots, with each lot

70|

Phase 3

containing two houses. On the lot level, community is explored through the use of a shared front porch. As for the actual houses, six different prototypes were developed. Each house starts off as a one-bedroom 450 sq. ft. home, with the potential for later (vertical) expansion.

Each house has an open floor plan that encourages community within the family. Due to affordability and expandability, construction was very important in this project. We chose to use a pole barn system that would allow for vertical expansion to easily take place. We explored using Hempcrete as our insulation. This allowed for the construction system to become innovative.

Emily Dent + Tyler Puryear

|71

Hempcrete

1. Base

Wood Siding

Dimensional Lumber 2. Attach Roof to Lifts

Concrete

Construction / Materials Axon

East Units - Second Level

3. Raise the Roof

4. Attach New Frame and Lower Roof

5. Add New Flooring and Walls

Unit 1 2 story, 1 bedroom

Unit 2 1 story, 1 bedroom

Unit 3 1 story, 1 bedroom

Unit 4 - Expanded 2 story, 1 bedroom

6. Finished Home

Expansion Process

72|

Phase 3

East Units - Ground Level

Emily Dent + Tyler Puryear

|73

Andrew Greene + John Halford [Phase 2] Guidelines and Framework International Teamates: Shivangi Khede and Ravija Munshi Analysis + Master Plan Vision + Principals Systems + Framework + Strategies Prototype (for foundry)

Vision: Creating an architecture that will establish a sense of ownership and community for low-income citizens of Vestal, Tennessee.

Garden Types

74|

Phase 2

Pedestrian Circulation

This site is currently an overgrown mess.

There are very few living trees worth saving on the site. Most of the greenery is composed of weeds and wild shrubs.

This thick growth has created a place where people dump trash, and perform other illegal activities. We wanted to clean up to space and provide clear site lines to establish a sense of safety for whoever lives on the site.

nated. For these reasons, we decided to have a large portion of our site become a community farm, and another large portion become a semi-private garden way.

A large amount over water runoff passes through the site on its way to the creek southwest of our site. This made a large garden/ farm on our site more fathomable. As the water runs through the site, the plants are watered and the need for expensive irrigation systems is elimi-

The houses line the southwest side of the site and are separate from one another.

This separation, along with southward orientation opens up many possibilities for passive heating and cooling. Most of the winds come from the south, so passive ventilation techniques can easily be used. The slight skewing of the house from true south actually provides more opportunity for passive heating before bedtime in the winter. The outdoor spaces, along with passive strategies, were our biggest drivers in planning the site.

Vehicular Circulation

Local Community: Retail and Residential

Pollination Across Site

Image from foundry event (somewhere on this page)

Daylight Access: Solution

Andrew Green + John Halford

|75

Andrew Greene + John Halford [Phase 3] Design Development Developed Site Plan Systems Materials Details Variation and expansion

Abstract:

Daylighting

Passive Heating

This project seeks to provide an affordable housing option for low-income individuals looking for ways to supplement their income; and to create a strong community presence in the fragmented suburban-rural townscape of Vestal, Tennessee. We explored the possibility of how food production could find its way into the suburban environment as a public amenity, an economic catalyst, and as a service to the community.

Because this development is intended to be affordable to individuals with low incomes, among our primary goals was to create efficient, passive, and low-cost housing. Our design of these housing units is based on passive heating and cooling strategies, as well as day-lighting strategies, in order to redefine the basic guidelines of an American archetype— the farmhouse.

Our site program includes ten singlefamily housing units that, together, take up less than half an acre of a four-acre development, while the remaining space is used for a highly productive communal micro-farm and farmer’s market.

Through this project we hope to encourage high-thought, low-tech design as well as demonstrate the social impact that architecture can have—not only at the scale of the building, but also at the scale of the site, community, and its greater context.

Stack Ventilation

Stack Ventilation

Stack Ventilation

Program Zones

76|

Phase 3

Andrew Green + John Halford

|77

RODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT

BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT PRODUCED

BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT PRODUCED

BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT PRODUCED

BY AN AUTODESKPRODUCED EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT PRODUCED

BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT

RECLAIMED BRICK BRICK TIE STEEL CHANNEL CMU

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT 16-40 HOUSE 800 SF

RECLAIMED BRICK BRICK TIE VOID OPERABLE WINDOW

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT

METAL ROOFING WATER BARRIER 3" RIGID INSULATION FLASHING WOOD DECKING ALUMINUM GUTTER

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT WOOD DECK

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT

Phase 3

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT

16-48 HOUSE 950 SF

78|

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT

1.5 STORY STAIR ADDITION

EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT

OPERABLE WINDOW OPERABLE SEATING

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT

1.5 STORY UPPER LEVEL ONE BEDROOM

METAL ROOFING WATER BARRIER 3" RIGID INSULATION WOOD DECKING WOOD PRODUCED BYRAINSCREEN AN AUTODESK PLYWOOD SHEATHING GYPSUM BOARD

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT

1.5 STORY UPPER LEVEL 2 BEDROOM

METAL RIDGE CAP PROFILE VENT WATER BARRIER 3" RIGID INSULATION WOOD DECKING WOOD RIDGE BEAM

PRODUCED

BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT

BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT PRODUCED

BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT PRODUCED

BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESKPRODUCED EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT PRODUCED

BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT

|79

Adam Bates + Sarah Howell [Phase 2] Guidelines and Framework International Collaborator: Darpan Arora Analysis + Master Plan Vision + Principals Systems + Framework + Strategies Prototype (for foundry)

Vision:

Analysis:

To provide an integrated environment that establishes a positive direction for the redevelopment of the Vestal community through sustainable design.

To create an effective housing community, we designed a variety of housing sizes with a combination of row houses and detached single family homes to allow for a wide variety of options for expansion.

These houese were designed with expansion in mind. As the family grew or ones budget increased, certain additions to the home could be purchased and added without disrupting the current resident.

These expansions were designed to fit the existing module of each home. (4x8).

The idea behind this growing home, is to promote variation in housing which would in tern promote ownership.

The expansions work in a two step process. Within this process, smaller steps can be taken to stretch a budget, or allow the family to test a variety of space types before adding a permanet addition to their home. The major steps are a “soft expansion”, a space such as an

80|

Phase 2

outdoor room or covered patio. These spaces would not be thermally enclosed, or have a breathable skin that provides some protection from the elements. The second phase would be a “hard expansion”. This expansion type would involve making a direct connection the the interior of the home and enclosing the new space with a thermal envelope. These new rooms can become bedrooms, dining rooms, offices or any other needed extra space.

We developed a one bedroom housing prototype with a few variations in footprint to allow for different kinds of expansions.

In the prototype home, we have specified guidelines for percentage of floor space devoted to certain program. This in part was to more easily explain how spaces related to one another in a typical American home. This phase of the project was carried out in tandem wtih Darpan Aroroa of Vasad, India.

Adam Bates + Sarah Howell

|81

Analysis: BEDROOMS 40% of Total Space_Adjacency of bedrooms to other spaces of the home with consideration of noise and privacy is important. Also allow for adequate natural light.

BATHROOMS 10% of Total Space_At least one bath or shower along with a toilet is needed. As a home would expand into a two or three bedroom home, generally there would need to be two full bathrooms for bathing privacy, but one bathroom should be available to be used by guests in the home.

KITCHEN 20% of Total Space_The kitchen and dining space should be a very versatile and

flexible space in the home. Some families may choose to build a separate dining room adjacent to the kitchen once they are able to expand, but for the prototype home, these will all be one integrated space. Basic appliance needs would consist of a stove, sink and fridge for the kitchen.

LIVING 25% of Total Space_Living space should flow into the adjacent kitchen and dining space. It should also be close to the main entrance to the home. As the main entertainment space, it should be one of the largest and be spacious enough for the entire family as well as guests.

Adam Bates + Sarah Howell 82|

Phase 2

|83

Adam Bates [Phase 3] Design Development Developed Site Plan Systems Materials Details Variation and expansion

Abstract: After the foundry, the project began to move into a slightly different direction.

We learned from our presentation that our concept was solid and interesting, but the biggest concern of our critics was the feasability of the expansions. The next step was to take the idea and make it real.

Using the same idea, as far as floor space percentages, I began to redraw the housing plans. Rather than having a wide range of beginning options, I started with the smallest cheapest space I could imagine. This resulted in a 315

84|

Phase 3

square foot home. After modifying the interior layout and eliminating hallways or small wated spaces, the base floor plan was set at 400 square feet and became “Model_1�.

After reassing the plans, the home began to reflect it original modular design that had been intended. Each 12 foot section of the home became its own individual piece within the framework of the house. These pieces could potentially be arrange in any desired order, with minor adjustments to some interior walls. The arrangement I represent was just one path that could be taken with this design.

Adam Bates

|85

Model_1 The first home in the progression is a 410 sqf 1 BR/Bath lofted home. The loft space, accessed by ladder, is a generous seven feet clear for 140 sqf then reduces to 6 feet for the remaining 55 sqf. The area can be divided in a number of ways.

Featured, is a double bed with home office and two twin beds with ample storage.This housing model is designed for a single individual or a married couple.

Model_2 The second home in the series features a master bed and bath. This model, as well as any of the expanded homes can be purchased up front rather than upgrading. The size of this home enables the owners to open a private porch to the outdoors. This interpretation of the dogtrot brings many passive benefits to the home. Rather than simply adding another bedroom, a second lofted room can be added with a bonus room or sun room below.

86|

Phase 3

Adam Bates

|87

88|

Phase 3

Model_3

Model_4

The patio on the rear of the home is a very flexible space once the slab has been expanded. The owners can choose to leave the slab exposed to have an open patio facing the public yard, or they can elect to cover the space and finish the exterior with screens or glass. Again, this space could become enclosed, but would benefit more from a full 12 foot slab expansion.

The final phase of this series, is a full 3 bedroom with two and a half baths. The home could expand more, but the farther enclosed spaces are from the breeze way, the less effective the passive benefits become. Additional indoor/outdoor spaces can exist, but lot size may become an issue. The owner can elect to continue extending the wrap around porch, or enclose the space and create a hallway between rooms.

Adam Bates

|89

90|

Phase 3

Adam Bates

|91

India Sites: Waghnagar (Vaghnagar), Gujarat Teams: Kyter Steffes + Rochelle Lo + Sarah Howell Jordan Bailey + Michael Nelson Forrest Reynolds + Sam Bouck

92|

|93

Kyter Steffes + Rochelle Lo [Phase 2] Guidelines and Framework International Collaborators: Deep Shah and Aishwarya Trivedi

CASCADE Waghnagar, Gujarat, India CASCADE Rochelle Lo + Kyter Steffes: University of Tennessee Deep Shar + Aishwarya Trivedi: VASAD India Waghnagar, Gujarat, India Rochelle Lo + Kyter Steffes: University of Tennessee Deep Shar + Aishwarya Trivedi: VASAD India

Vision:

Analysis:

To create a modern, functional community in rural India.

Cascade is a community oriented around the collection and storage of rainwater.

The climate of Wagnagar, India has an annual participation only 17.6 inches.

Of these, only three months of the year provide substantial rainfall for collection and storage. Cascade is a community CASCADE designed to collect and store excess rainfall during the monsoon season to be Waghnagar, Gujarat, India Rochelle Lo + Kyter Steffes: University of Tennessee used throughout the year.

Average Rainfall 250

150 200

Average Rainfall 250

December

CASCADE | Waghnagar, Gujarat, India | Rochelle Lo + Kyter Steffes | FOUNDRY REVIEW November 7 MARCH 2013

December October

October

September

August

July

November September

August

July

June

June April

March

May

May

April

Precipitation (mm)

February

50

March

100

Precipitation (mm)

Rooftops which displace 50-75% of each plot’s rainfall function as the primary collection source. Walking paths paved in locally sourced sandstone convey rainfall from the rooftops to a centrally located cistern designed to hold enough water to reduce the communities per-capita external dependence on water by at least 50%.

Cascade is a community oriented around the external dependence on water by at least 50% collection and storage of rainwater. The climate of WagEach house connects to a shared outd 150 Cascade is a community oriented around the external dependence watercourtyar by at le nagar, India has an annual participation only 17.6 inches. space which is oriented to theon central and storage of rainwater.

The climate of Wag-This shared space Each houseentry connects to aindiv sha Of these,collection only 3 months of the year provide substantial provides to each 100 nagar, India has an annualCascade participation only 17.6 inches. space which is oriented to the central rainfall for collection and storage. is a community while emphasizing each houses orientation to 50 Of these, only 3 months of the year provide substantial This shared space provides entry to designed to collect and store excess rainfall during the courtyard space. 4 house plots each share 1 eo fortocollection and storage. while directly emphasizing houses orien monsoonrainfall season be used throughout theCascade year. is a community that connects to theeach central courtyard Site Location: Waghnagar, Gujarat, India designedwhich to collect and store excess rainfall during the rainwatercourtyard space.

4 house plots each Rooftops displace 50-75% of each plots collected from the four adjacent hou Precipitation (mm) monsoon to becollection used throughout year. connects to the central rainfall function as season the primary source. the Walking with this that shared space directly and is directed into a co c Site Location: Waghnagar, Gujarat, India Rooftops which displace convey 50-75%rainfall of each plotsin the center rainwater from theheart four adja paths paved in locally sourced sandstone of thecollected courtyard, at the of th function as the primary collection source.toWalking with this shared space and is directed from the rainfall rooftops to a centrally located cistern designed ty pathswater paved locallythe sourced sandstone convey rainfall in the center of orientation the courtyard, at adva the h hold enough to in reduce communities *per-capita The community takes from the rooftops to a centrally located cistern designed to ty hold enough the communities *per-capita community orientation tak Cascade is a community oriented around the external dependence on water by at least 50%. water to reduce vailing winds by opening up towards the southernThe ocean December

November

October

September

August

July

June

May

April

March

February

January

Precipitation (mm)

200

Site Location: Waghnagar, Gujarat, India

Phase 2

150

January

50

February

100

JanuaryPrecipitation (mm)

Precipitation (mm)

250

Deep Shar + Aishwarya Trivedi: VASAD India

94|

Average Rainfall

200

collection and storage of rainwater. The climate of Wagnagar, India has an annual participation only 17.6 inches.

Of these, only 3 months of the year provide substantial

Each house connects to a shared outdoor entry space which is oriented to the central courtyard space.

This shared space provides entry to each individual house

rainfall for collection and storage. Cascade is a community designed to collect and store excess rainfall during the monsoon season to be used throughout the year.

Rooftops which displace 50-75% of each plots rainfall function as the primary collection source. Walking

while emphasizing each houses orientation to the central courtyard space. 4 house plots each share 1 outdoor entry that connects directly to the central courtyard space. The rainwater collected from the four adjacent houses combine with this shared space and is directed into a cistern located

paths paved in locally sourced sandstone convey rainfall from the rooftops to a centrally located cistern designed to hold enough water to reduce the communities *per-capita

in the center of the courtyard, at the heart of the community The community orientation takes advantage of pre-

breeze. This allows wind to move through the site alleys and between buildings to cool and ventilate the interior courtyard.

Kyter Steffes + Rochelle Lo

|95

96| Phase 2 CASCADE | Waghnagar, Gujarat, India | Rochelle Lo + Kyter Steffes | FOUNDRY REVIEW 7 MARCH 2013

Ground Plan

25 m 50 m 100 m CASCADE | Waghnagar, Gujarat, India | Rochelle Lo + Kyter Steffes | FOUNDRY REVIEW 7 MARCH 2013

Wind Patterns: South-West Ocean Breeze

2m 6m 10 m

Kyter Steffes + Rochelle Lo |97

Kyter Steffes + Rochelle Lo + Sarah Howell [Phase 3] Design Development

Abstract: In this rural site, we wanted to create an integrated community that is tied together through orienting the homes toward a shared community space.

Each house connects to a smaller shared outdoor entry space which is oriented to the central courtyard space. This shared space provides entry to each individual house while emphasizing each houses orientation to the central courtyard space. Three homes are connected rhough each shared space that connects directly to the larger central courtyard space. The rainwater collected from the three adjacent houses combine within this shared space, and water is directed into a cistern.

The community orientation takes advantage of prevailing winds by opening up towards the southern ocean breeze. This allows wind to move through the site alleys and between buildings to cool and ventilate the interior courtyard.

98|

Phase 3

Through studies of pattern language, we focused on creating lots of outdoor space and different types of courtyards.

Each home has a front porch condition adjacent to the shared space where people can spend time. There are separate main courtyard and service courtyard spaces. The roof terrace is an important element of any Indian home due to the hot climate. Main courtyard spaces always have multiple rooms connecting toward them, as well as opportunities for the walls of these rooms to open up further and create breezeways.

Surrounding the central community space, an arcade acts as an aqueduct to carry rainwater to the cistern. The arcade has an integrated system of fabric above for shading this space to create a more pleasant space to spend time.

Kyter Steffes + Rochelle Lo + Sarah Howell

|99

100|

Common Land:

Front Porch:

Positive Outdoor Space:

Common Areas at Heart:

Service Courtyards:

It is the heart of the cluster and naturally falls in the middle of the housing cluster.

The front porch embellishes the entrance and helps to form the common land. It is the transition space between indoors and outdoors and makes the outdoor space around the building inhabitable.

A positive outdoor space must have a coherent shape and enough enclosure to make it private and an obvious place.

A central common space enhances the interaction between the members of the family.

A laundry, service space and cow shed are located outside the kitchen and hidden from the common land.

Phase 3

Rooftop Collection

Cluster Conveyance

Aqueduct Conveyance

Filter and Storage

Distribution through Aqueduct

Kyter Steffes + Rochelle Lo + Sarah Howell

|101

Cascade

Average Rainfall

Precipitation (mm)

250

Waghnagar, Gajarat, India Spring 2013

200 150 100

December

October

November

September

July

August

May

June

April

March

January

Kyter Steffes + Rochelle Lo + Sarah Howell

February

50

Precipitation (mm)

Professors Mark Dekay + Sharad Sheth

Rainwater Collection Data

University of Tennessee College of Architecture + Design

Cascade is a community oriented around the collection and storage of rainwater. The climate of Wagnagar, India has an annual participation

Expansion

only 17.6 inches. Of these, only three months of the year provide substantial rainfall for collection and storage. Cascade is a community designed to collect and store excess rainfall during the monsoon season to be used throughout the year.

Rooftops which displace 50-75% of each plot's rainfall function as the

om

dro

Be

primary collection source. An aqueduct system conveys rainfall from the rooftops to a cistern designed to hold enough water to reduce the commu-

m

oo thr

nities per-capita external dependence on water by at least 50%.

om

dro

Ba

Be

m

oo thr

Each house connects to a shared outdoor entry space which is oriented toward the central courtyard space. This shared space provides entry to

Ba

m

roo

d Be

each individual house, while emphasizing each house's orientation to the central courtyard space. Three house plots share one outdoor entry that connects directly to the central courtyard space. The rainwater collected

om

dro

Be

from the three adjacent houses combines with this shared space and is directed into a cistern located at the corner

m

of the site.

oo thr

Ba

The community orientation takes advantage of prevailing winds by open-

Upper Floor

ing up towards the southern ocean breeze. This allows wind to move

om

dro

Be

through the site alleys and between buildings to cool and ventilate the interior courtyard.

om dro

Be

en

ch

m

oo thr

Windpump

om

dro

Ba

ja

Pu

Be

en

ch

Kit

d an g ing Liv Dinin

Kit

m

oo thr

Ba

ja

Pu

Aqueduct (supply)

Return Water

d an ing ining D

m

oo thr

Ba

Pressure Tank

m

o dro

Liv

Be

Filter

Ground Floor ja

Pu

en

ch

Kit

Cistern

Site Strategy

om

dro

Be

Southwestern Winds d an ing ining D

Liv

Program + Expansion

Bamboo Purlins on Top of Rafters

Strip Footing

102|

Phase 3

Concrete Plinth and Ground Floor Slab

Structural Sandstone Exterior Walls

Concrete Upper Floor Slab

Bamboo Rafters Frame into Sandstone Walls

Roof Decking of Bamboo Halves

Plaster Over Bamboo Decking

Concrete Parapet Around the Top of Wall

Channel Directs Water to the Conveyance Pipe and Down to the Aqueduct System

Kyter Steffes + Rochelle Lo + Sarah Howell

|103

Jordan Bailey + Michael Nelson [Phase 2] International Collaborators: Heena Kewalramani & Sachin Ambekar

Vision: Modern housing vernacular for an evolving rural India.

Ten Points of modern housing: 01. Seeks to educate.

It should clarify the method of built form.

02. Preserve Tradition.

It should give importance to the practices of the culture.

03. Be flexible.

Building should adapt to people, not people to building.

04. Is not iconic.

05. Incremental.

Should provide a strategy to develop in affordable, responsible phases.

Predictable expansion, allows expansion without encouraging sprawl.

06. Easily maintainable.

Front-end investment prevents long-term problems.

Use local materials.

Passive systems.

Analysis:

India 20 degrees north latitude

Vaghnagar, India

During phase 2 of the project we focused on developing a master plan. The site is in Vaghnagar, India a small village on the west coast of India. The goal was to develop a master plan for the chosen area of the village presented to us by our Indian teammates that would take into account the design problems present in the village, but also be able to transform to address alternate contexts within India.

In order to accomplish this we created a series of 3 videos that communicate our intentions and questions to our Indian counterparts in Ahmedabad. Because of the time difference and lack of resources to communicate directly, we found that this was the most effective way to present our design process to our teammates.

At the end of phase 2, we presented at a public forum deemed the foundry. The site model illustrated the progression of the site plan from top to bottom. Each cluster shows a different level of resolution of the master plan.

Video_01: Site Division

Video_02: Cluster Plan

07. Engages existing fabric.

Does not disrupt flow of community.

08. Beware of expanse.

Scale things to people, no processes.

Video_03: Housing Unit

09. Expressive of climate, culture, and individual.

10. Variation.

Allows for aesthetic differentiation when the process is replicated.

104|

Phase 2

Jordan Bailey + Michael Nelson

|105

106|

Phase 2

site options presented to India

principles of cluster

courtyard typology

Site Site Division_ The site is divided into lots ranging from 2000 sq. ft. to 2600 sq. ft. Each lot perimeter is claimed and marked before construction. This division throughout the entire site allows for public spaces to be claimed and not overwhelmed by the incremental building that is commonplace in India.

Shared Courtyard_ Shared courtyards and public outdoor spaces already exist in the village. But creating three new courtyards the project is simply continuing the contextual tradition. Each courtyard is located within the center of the block and is connected to the interior streets. These courtyards define at least one edge of each housing lot.

Interior Streets_ Interior streets are created to retain the existing connections within the village.

These streets spilt the site, keeping the scale contextual, as well as providing a locater for the shared courtyards. Three streets are added to the site.

Fifty Percent_ Within each lot, fifty percent of the given area will be built. This built percentage is made of a combination of enclosed and partially enclosed spaces. The remaining fifty percent of the lot is purposed for future expansion and private courtyards.

Clusters Organization_ A cluster organization, as opposed to a row house organization, allows the units to be situated around public space.

Amenities_ The courtyard holds amenities for each cluster. A percolating well is placed in each courtyard for the use of the cluster grouping. Any future sewage options would be located within the courtyard as well. Extra work space or cattle space would have the option to expand into this shared courtyard.

Access to Shared Courtyard_ Each shared courtyard is connected to each cluster housing. Every unit has one access point to the shared courtyard.

The private courtyard in each lots acts as the transition space from the housing enclosure to the shared courtyard.

Street Edge_ Every unit within the site is situated along the existing street. Every unit must hold the street edge. This can be done either through use of a property-defining wall or through the use of part of the house. One entrance should be on the street edge.

Housing Unit Courtyard House_ The initial organization of the programmatic elements was based on the concept of a courtyard house. The courtyard house allows the project to use the strategies from of: “Locating of Outdoor Rooms”, “Permeable Buildings”, and “Shady Courtyards”.

Expansion_ Every housing unit is designed to have the ability to further expand. The piece of the house containing the bedrooms and bathrooms has the ability to add a secondary floor. This second floor would be connected by the addition of a staircase on the front stoop.

Traditional Organization_ Typical Indian homes follow a set of organizational traditions. These traditions include: the patriarchal bedroom in the southwest, Puja in the north section of the house, and for the center of the house to remain open (Brahmasthan).

Program_ Each housing units will be made up of the same set of program: Three bedrooms (100 sq. ft. each) Kitchen (150 sq. ft.)

Living/Dining (350 sq. ft.)

Bathroom (70 sq. ft.)

Puja and Stoop

Jordan Bailey + Michael Nelson

|107

Jordan Bailey + Michael Nelson [Phase 3] Design Development Developed Site Plan Systems Materials Details Variation and expansion

Rural Indian Housing Vaghnagar, India

Abstract:

After the development of the master plan and cluster organization in Phase Two, the individual housing units were designed. Two different housing units are used in the master plan. Each unit follows the same principles as the other, only varying in organization and adjacencies. All courtyards within individual lots have access to the cluster courtyard as defined in the master planning stage in Phase One.

Each unit is comprised of two programmatic pieces: living and social.

These two pieces are organized around a central courtyard within each housing lot.

This central courtyard is connected to the remaining open space with in the lot.

Brick is the primary material used in the construction. Stone is also used for the foundation and plinth as well as concrete in very limited places. Vaulting and arching is used to create the spans within the houses.

Each vault is part of the water collection system within the house. The rainwater that hits a vault is then funneled

into a small drain that feeds to a scupper. These scuppers flow into the central courtyard of each house. The slope of the courtyard allows the water to flow into an underground cistern.

Because the masonry walls and vaulting is repeated in the proportion and dimension, the housing units can be easily expanded upon. All expansion would have to remain in the established lot, but each unit is able to become two stories in India height.

20

O

Vaghnagar, India

0 4 8

108|

Phase 3

16

32

64

Jordan Bailey + Michael Nelson

|109

Order of Construction Order of Construction 1 2 4 8 0 0

1

2

4

8

west elevation

north elevation

Unit 01 0 1 2

4

8

south elevation second floor

stage 01 _foundation stage 01 _foundation

stage 02 vertical structure _bond beams stage 02arches _ribbed vertical structure _bond beams _ribbed arches

stage 03 _vaults _buttresses stage 03 _vaults _buttresses

stage 04 _infill walls _optional floor expansion stage 04 _infill walls _optional floor expansion

Unit 01 0 1 2

4

8

section A

ground floor

110|

Phase 3

second floor

Jordan Bailey + Michael Nelson

|111

112|

Phase 3

Jordan Bailey + Michael Nelson

|113

Climatic strategies

Forrest Reynolds + Sam Bouck [Phase 2]

Family patterns

Seismic design

Construction methods Life-cycles

reinforced corner connection

phasing 01 build-out construction phasing

Guidelines and Framework International Collaborators: Niharika Joshi and Suraj Dwivedi deep overhang

Construct Prosperity through integrated community for the other half.

As a team, our vision was to construct prosperity through integrated community for the other half and our intent was to preserve form and instill function. To achieve these goals, we researched traditional climatic strategies, family patterns, seismic design, construction methods, and life cycles to provide innovative solutions. We created a series of diagrams to express our ideas. Due to the hot climate, it was important to keep passive cooling strategies in mind. Materials used, and construction techniques are very important. Keeping future expansion in mind was a difficult task to overcome.

We thought that building a good ground framework would best serve vertical expansion, which would maintain ground floor courtyard space.

Intention: Preserve form and instill function

ing buildings that would have to be demolished before constructing our new plan. For this reason and others, we saw the process of construction as being incremental. The construction of each plot would happen in phases as the new buildings were afforded.

We envisioned that this project would be mostly undertaken by the residence themselves. Therefore the designs have to be easily constructible. To best blend into the site, we strove to develop schemes that reflected the context. The surrounding houses were built by the citizens of Waghnagar so this is a good basis of what is manageable.

common gathering space intermediate buttresses

phasing 02 holding house phasing

double roof system

plan separation by gathering space

plan heavy / light construction

independent roof = future recycled masonry used for re-infiltration vertical expansion zones in courtyards

raised floor slab

section connection by gathering space

rat-trap brick bonding

second floor expansion

program area

kitchen-storage

kitchen-courtyard

stacked wet program

courtyard proximity

passage proximity

tight boundaries

loose boundaries

Migration patterns a.m. climate zone

mid-day climate zone

p.m. climate zone

night climate zone

program adjacencies bedroom-bath-bedroom

washroom master bed

north entry

puja

center open

living area

foundations

enclosed program

building limits

sleep facing north

private kitchen courtstorage yard

vastu shastra

Phase 2

knock-out block allows for future wall expansion

rainwater collection

After developing these strategies, we focused on developing a site master plan.

Through studying the site and area available we settled on a scheme that has three courtyards and twelve housing plots. The site we were given has exist-

114|

maximum masonry elevation

phase 01

Analysis:

extended

max footprint

Vision:

nuclear

Forrest Reynolds + Sam Bouck

|115

Development of Site Master Plan

0 10

30

60

100

150

0 10

30

60

100

150

1. Existing Site

7. Subdivide Plots

116|

Phase 2

0 10

30

60

100

150

0 10

30

60

100

150

2. Cleared Site

8. Buildable Area

0 10

30

60

100

3. Gridded Plots

0 10

30

60

100

150

150

9. Later Revision of Scheme

0 10

30

60

0 10

30

60

100

150

100

150

4. Courtyards and Circulation

10. Utility Wall Spine Concept

0 10

30

60

100

150

0 10

30

60

100

150

5. Adapted to Context

11. Plots Adapt to Spine

0 10

30

60

100

150

0 10

30

60

100

150

6. Off the Grid

12. Final Site Concept

Forrest Reynolds + Sam Bouck

|117

As a team, we intentionally worked to create various systems of expansion. With a light weight construction for upper floors, it could be possible to expand vertically by jacking the roof up one story. Incremental growth is important to this project because of the multi-generational family structure. Houses can easily have eight to ten people minimum. As the family grows, the house should be able to easily be altered and expanded by the family.

Climactic Strategies Bundle for Design In the hot and humid climate of South Western India, there are several design strategies to consider for creating more comfortable buildings. Through the design of this project this series of identified strategies were considered.

Images courtesy of Mark DeKay

Initial prototype for the end of the second phase.

118|

Phase 2

Forrest Reynolds + Sam Bouck

|119

Forrest Reynolds + Sam Bouck [Phase 3] Design Development Developed Site Plan Systems Materials Details Variation and expansion

Niharika

Abstract: The goal of this project is to research and design innovative housing for rural India.

Working closely with a studio of university students from Vasad, India, we had the opportunity to have an on-the-ground look at the design needs of rural India.

This joint studio showed me that the cultural criteria is as important an local construction materials and methods.

The construction methods chosen for this project use heavy masonry construction for the base and lower floors, while lightweight bamboo construction is used for upper floors. This basic structural strategy is helpful for seismic reasons. The schemes developed allow for expansion as a multi-generational family grows. Responsible strategies within the design system help conserve valuable rainwater

120|

Phase 3

and allow for a variety of thermal zones.

Natural and passive systems are needed for these projects that lack many modern conveniences.

Sam

By working with our colleagues in India, we developed an integrated site strategy.

Courtyards were an important part to the development of the site. When two plots met, we used that as an opportunity to have a shared utility wall. Along the utility wall are water towers that are used to distribute collected rainwater.

We divided the plots amongst the group for design. This was done intentionally to individually investigate different strategies and methods. Therefore the end result of the project would have many variations to demonstrate possibilities.

Forrest

0 2’ 6’

12’

20’

Forrest Reynolds + Sam Bouck

|121

Vaults and arches are the main way we choose to make spans within the house. However, for the basement level, it is difficult to use CEBs. This is the one area that concrete construction is necessary. A well vented basement level is a great place for food storage. It also can function as a bedroom during different seasons. Rainwater is collected into an underground cistern during the monsoon season. The water is used throughout the year by being pumped slowly pumped daily into a water tower between to house plots. Rainwater is an important recourse in India because they do not have direct water lines into their houses. In a village like Waghnagar, water is often pumped out of a well. Using a well is not preferred, as they have been depleting their water table.

Through research and analysis of the existing conditions, we considered materials and methods carefully. We learned from our colleagues in India that reinforced concrete and wood construction is very expensive. We chose to use a compressed earth block (CEB) because of its strength, durability, and popularity. Unlike brick, CEBs do not need to be baked in a kiln, which requires costly energy and management. Through articulating vaults and arches, open spans create space. For higher floor level spans, bamboo constriction is used. Mangalore roof tiles are extremely common, and we found this to be one of the easiest and most cost effective solution.

122|

Phase 3

Forrest Reynolds + Sam Bouck

|123

Site building phases and expansion 124|

Phase 3

Forrest Reynolds + Sam Bouck

|125

126|

Phase 3

Forrest Reynolds + Sam Bouck

|127