v i n c e n t
v u m b a c o
About :: Born in 1985, Vincent Vumbaco attended Clemson University, where he earned a Bachelor of Architecture in 2008. During the spring semester of his senior year he began work for Douglas Hecker and Martha Skinner of Field-Office. At Field-Office he conducted research concerning mass-customizable, affordable housing for post-Katrina New Orleans. As a result of this work, his approach to architecture is sensible, often letting function and material influence design. Later, under Doug Hecker he worked on the design and production of the Dry-In House, a concept of affordable emergency housing for Hurricane Katrina victims. The Dry-In House is meant to get the owner back to their home site quickly while providing the infrastructure an occupant needs (shelter, water, electricity). The owner is supplied with an inhabitable shell that is customizable prior to its fabrication. The key concept of the Dry-In House is to allow families to participate in the design of their homes. This gives the families some sense of authority and control in a chaotic environment such as post-Katrina New Orleans. Due to pre-fabrication and selection of materials and appliances, the Dry-In concept is not only affordable, but environmentally conscious as well. After the design was finished, Vincent worked for Field-Office to help develop a unique construction process (using pre-fabricated truss components), helped raised $22,000 in donations, worked with manufacturers to order and fabricate components of the house, built a full-scale mockup of a section of the house, and is currently co-leading a team of volunteers and students in the erection of the house in New Orleans. 1
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The diminishing effects of terrestrial impacts over distance The fireball is below the horizon. There is no direct thermal radiation. projectile diameter projectile density impact velocity impact angle target density target type
2300m 2700kg/m^3 20 km/s 45 deg 2500 km/s sedimentary rock
distance from impact (km) thermal exposure (Joules/m2) 0 n/a 100 5.76 x 107 200 1.04 x 107 300 1.94 x 106 400 no direct thermal radiation 500 no direct thermal radiation 600 no direct thermal radiation 700 no direct thermal radiation 800 no direct thermal radiation 900 no direct thermal radiation 1000 no direct thermal radiation 1100 no direct thermal radiation 1200 no direct thermal radiation 1300 no direct thermal radiation 1400 no direct thermal radiation
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wind velocity (m/s) n/a 303 105 54.3 34.5 24.6 18.9 15.2 12.7 10.9 9.48 8.41 7.55 6.84 6.26
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Calm State
Tsunami State
The Cluster
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Calm State
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Tsunami State
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The Node
Node Field
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Original Isamu Noguchi sculpture.
Digital interpretation
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Laser cut study model with 3D printed curtain wall
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3D model placed in cityscape.
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Entrance to bathroom
Utility closet and kitchen
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Section view of bathroom
Finishes are completely customizable
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Core bathroom elevation
Core short section
Core plan
Core location
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Context :: Concept :: Prefabrication :: Digital Fabrication :: Evolution Architecture is defined by place and concept. Architecture is about life occupying its spaces. Without these elements, the potential of architecture to influence and inspire yields to the forces of sufficiency. Place is more than mere geographic location; it determines interaction or separation of individuals and in turn shapes architecture. When architecture fails to respond to its place, it loses identity and lacks concept. As with other disciplines, architecture is evolving. However, as compared to the automotive, aircraft, and shipbuilding industries the building industry is evolving very slowly. This is due to a strong fragmentation between the design and building processes. Traditionally, architecture is the product of a union between architect and engineer, each having a firm grasp of their craft. There was a short gap between design and fabrication, which was evident in the final product. With the introduction of digital technologies this gap has grown significantly and the understanding of craft has been lost. CAD/CAM technologies have become commonplace and as a result has given architects and engineers a false sense of participation in the design process without the understanding of technique. Reproduction has replaced contextualization as architecture has become mainstream. Engineering firms, retail giants, and franchise operations are fazing the architect out of the design process. Architects need to regain their role and realize the technical and poetic properties inherent in the design process used in these emerging technologies. By doing so, their view of craft will be redirected to a perception of craft as a process based on precision and increased control. 40
Rev. Earl Williams, CFO Trinity Christian Community, 3908 Joliet St, New Orleans LA 70118 504.388.4169 earlfwilliams@cox.net Douglas Hecker, Associate Professor of Architecture, 119 Lee Hall, Clemson University 864.653.5025 dhecker@clemson.edu
References Robert Hogan, Associate Chair of Architecture, Box 340503 Lee Hall, Clemson University 864.656.3914 hrobert@clemson.edu Criss Mills, Associate Professor of Architecture, 141 Lee Hall, Clemson University 864.656.3902 cmills@clemson.edu 41