Combining the two.....

Our group has came up with several new plan ideas for the L-shape design and are trying to incorporate it with another plan type that has one or more outdoor courtyard spaces. I have been looking at a mirrored version of this plan with a covered patio. From what I've heard from classmates who were at the presentation with Mrs. Archie, she liked the clarity and organization of our plan and chose ours over the other plan with the 30 degree crank. She wants there to be more separation between living and dining space, but also wants to have an open floor plan. The other group taped out their living space on the floor to get a feel for what the actual space will be like. It helped to go stand in the area and get a more visual and physical perspective on the space. Today our group is working on tweaking certain parts of our plan, trying to keep it as efficient as possible while incorporating our ideas of flexibility and prefabricated systems.

Finalizing the L-shape configuration

Our new group of six met last night for several hours working on the L-shape floor plans. We have narrowed it down to three plans that we think will work. My first model and sketches had some flaws with creating an exterior space as well as the placement of the full and half bath areas. The plans we created last night hopefully resolve those issues. Here within the next thirty minuets we plan on meeting with our professor to get some guidance. Once we get a plan that works 100% and incorporates all of our ideas we will build a 3D model as well and a physical model. From there we will draft some sections and elevations to have ready for tomorrow. Tonight will most likely be a late night. We need to have everything ready for tomorrow to be presented that looks professional and clearly explains the plans and interior and exterior materials we are wanting to use.

Back at it!

Today is our first day back in studio after a long needed break. Each of the 5th year students was assigned a group partner to help get everyone on the same page. Tonight I am working on some of the previous designs for the Line Ave. site. We only have about two weeks total to lock in a design to submit for approval. Our professors summarized our work last quarter with our class and the 4th your design/build students as well as previous Habitech houses. By Friday each group is expected to have five or six massing models at the same scale to pin up and critique. From there we will narrow the designs down and develop those further. I'm going to layout the floor plans from some of my schematic sketches last quarter tonight and begin to assemble some models.

Final presentation for the quarter

Today our Jordan and Ward presented to the fourth year design/build studio students to bring them up to speed on the project and give them and idea what they are up against for the next two quarters. We also met with the Habitat for Humanity board at the Lincoln Parish Library to give them our final presentation for this quarter. I was not even speaking and was still a little nervous. I think the presentation went well and our proposed site was approved as well as our official clients we will be building the home for. Tonight we met with our group in the studio to discuss our overall process booklet, which has to be turned in Thursday by 3:30PM. Tonight we are all working on updating the information and will begin printing the five sections and binding them tomorrow. I also have my sculpture project to finish and we have to present our two projects in front of our classmates and a formal critique. After Thursday my break officially starts...

Today I had a desk critique with my professor to get some help with the floor plan I designed. I am trying to design diagrams that show that our idea of a prefabricated core is viable and will work on the site we have chosen as well as other sites in the future. By creating these prefab. cores we can save on construction time and also utilize volunteer work. When construction begins on the house it will be cold and often raining and by fabricating certain cores, partitions, truss, etc. off site during the week we can have them built and available when the volunteers arrive which will typically be on Saturdays. So all week long we can be constructing these pieces at a fab. shop and have them ready to ship to the site to be assembled. Mr. Stevens gave me some good ideas on how I can integrate the movable partitions into the plan that will maximize space and possibly allow for an extra bedroom to accommodate the clients daughter who may or may not be spending time at the home at any given time. Tonight I will be sketching more schematic diagrams incorporating the ICA and the movable partitions at a specific scale so we can begin to get a clear picture of the dimensions that we will need for the core and not go over the square footage parameters. I am also currently taking a steel sculpture class, so this idea of being able to assemble these components off-site and stored away until ready to install makes more and more sense.

Our presentation to the faculty went well yesterday. Ward and Jordan did a good job speaking about the projects and one of our professors even commented about their speaking skills. They were a little confused about the idea of flexibility and the movable partitions within the house and whether or not it is a separate idea from our ICA (Integrated Component Assembly) or if it works in tandem with it. I think locking this core unit town with all of your kitchen components on one side and possible utilities and bathroom components on the other side will potentially cause problems with circulation. Not as an afterthought, but more as solution to work along with the

core; partitions would move to allow spaces to be arranged in different configurations according to the families needs at that time.

We have narrowed it down from four possible sites to just one and plan on making a proposal to Habitat for Humanity during our presentation to them on Tue. We also have to present to the 4th year students earlier in the day to catch them up to speed on what our project is about and how they will be integrated into the design/build program next quarter. Last night I started more specific diagrams on the Line Ave. site that show a more concrete floor plan with the core in place and how and where the flexible partitions will work. We are working towards a more finalized stage for our presentation to the Habitat Board on Tue.

Prep. for Faculty Presentation

Over the weekend our group has been adding our schematic diagrams and inserting them into our mid-term book. I have been researching and sketching schematic designs for our prefabricated core. The design isn't set in concrete yet, but showing possible ways it could be used in the home. These diagrams are much more in depth, they show where the refrigerator would be, sink, and dishwasher. I have started drawing these in plan and will after have axon metric diagrams for tomorrow also. Tonight will most likely be a late night at the studio. Jordan has been working on our brochures that we will be handing out. Those are coming along nicely and his design is quite clever. I'm excited to see the final ones printed with our cards inserted. I'm a little nervous about presenting tomorrow, but everyone has been working hard and I think as long as we can present our concept and ideas clearly we should be fine.

Book Revisions & more Diagrams

We've been busy non-stop this quarter.
Our meeting with the Habitat board

members went well. They seemed

interested in our ideas and like the idea of having a prefabricated core as well as flexible partitions, thus allowing the family to arrange spaces according to their specific needs at the time. I think they were a little nervous about having modular parts of a home being built off site, but Ward had a great precedent where Habitat for Humanity actually did something very similar some years back. I think that helped to ease them into the rest of the presentation. Jordan and Ward both spoke well and the information was clear. Last night I began revising certain parts of our presentation booklet. Each of us is working on different sections of the book that need revisions or additions. Last night I set up the core precedents page and we are in the process of scanning the rest of our and drawn diagrams to also insert into the book. This quarter seems to be going by so fast, possibly because I haven't had a chance to slow down yet....I think that's a good thing though.

Schematic Design

Over the weekend our group has been rolling through trace paper creating schematic designs that incorporate modular systems, flexible partitions, and prefabricated cores. It's a nice change to be in the studio and see the most of the group here at the same time. We have been pinning up each of our diagrams and then discussing them and then going right back to the drawing board. We need to have diagrams that are clear and easy to read for our presentation on Tuesday. I think the group as a whole is on the same page and being here at the same time makes it much easier to discuss our ideas.

We plan on meeting again tomorrow to take another look at all of our diagrams and clean them up before our presentation. I have been compiling two folders full of images of homes that have used prefabricated systems in the past as well as movable walls or even walls that are used for storage for not only household items, but even fold out beds or kitchen tables. The possibilities are endless....I guess that is what makes this project so exciting.

[ICA] - new termanology

Yesterday our group met with our professors and we pinned up a series of schematic diagrams according to our site analysis. Each person had several diagrams for each of the three sites we are thinking of choosing for our project. We are still trying to integrate our three main ideas into the diagrams. Today I have started a new set of diagrams that not only incorporates our prefabricated core, but also flexible partitons, and a modular system. We came up with a new term to replace the repititive use of the word core.....(brace yourself) - ICA - Integrated component assembly. Today I plan to Email Lowes in Ruston with a letter of intent as well as speak with their materials manager in person. They have helped in past Habitat projects and would be a great source of assistance in our project. We have split into groups of two to re-examine our analysis of previous Habitech houses, Habitat houses, and the local and Louisiana vernacular.

Modular - Prefab -Flexible

I have started researching prefabricated systems that could possibly be assembled off-site and then brought to the house or houses and inserted in. For example, if our class decides to create to modular homes, we could potentially have a group at the metal fabrication shop working on he prefabricated parts while another group works at the site.

Each member of our group should have a definition for each of the three topics listed in the title.

I defined Modular as a modern system that is an interchangeable unit used in construction that is often units that are mass-produced and easily replaced as well as economical.

My take on Prefab. is homes or systems typically manufactured off-site in advance, usually in sections that can easily be shipped and installed. They may often incorporate electric, mechanical, and plumbing components with clean and simple lines. Prefab forgoes decoration for function and gives more opportunities for open floor plans.

When thinking about Flexibility, movable partitions within a home come to mind. Partitions or walls that can be easily moved or manipulated to open spaces or rearrange them to different configurations.

10-23-09

Yesterday we had our first group meeting since our first presentation to the Habitat for Humanity board. The meeting went well and I think our material was organized and to the point as possible at this time. We have an incredible amount of work to do by Monday. Our the main ideas with this project have to do with modular systems, prefabricated components, and flexibility. We all plan to bring definitions of the three to confirm that we are all on the same page. Our professor gave us a little shock when we found out what was going to happen next quarter, but I think it will work out well in the long run.....

I have been researching different types of prefabricated systems for our group to review on Monday. Our list of contacts is beginning to grow, so as soon as I start receiving emails to add them to our list I will begin to compile them. We plan to eliminate one site and start analyzing the other three sites for possible home configurations according to our site diagrams. We are hoping to meet our selected family or families soon as we may still take the daring route and design two houses along side with the Habitat group.

10-16-09

Recently our class has been working non-stop to put together a presentation for the Habitat for Humanity board this coming Tuesday to presen our idas. I'm looking forward to meeting the rest of the board members and hearing their feedback. We have started compiling and revising our research and precedents for our mid-term book.

Over the past two days I have revised our contact list and also created a catagorized list for easier access, I've also been compiling the pros and cons to different construction materials and methods. Everyone in the group has been working well together and at the moment, things seem to be under control.....

Meeting the owner from a previous Habitech design

Our class has been working non-stop trying to compile and organize information for the next phase; and trust me, there's a ton of it. We have a board meeting next Tue. with the H4H board, where we will be presenting our mission statement finalized logo, our main design ideas, & and information supporting them.

For our last meeting, I prepared a typed document that noted all of the people we have contacted as well as, the contact date, & and important information that needs to be noted.

Today at 1PM Jordan, Mr. Stevens, & I are meeting to look at one of the previous Habitech houses. I'm excited to see the interior of the home, I've only been able to view from the exterior. We will also get a chance to interview the current owner & find out her perspective on some of the things that works well for the house and some things that may not work so well; basically the pros & cons.

Community Outreach and Budget progress

Today our class met with the board president for the Ruston Habitat for Humanity. He seemed like a really methodical and to the point man. The group meeting went will and everyone in the group brought good material to discuss. I created a budget spreadsheet with ways to reduce waste and different construction methods to reduce material consumption.

We also had an approximate schedule put together to start setting dates to have certain aspects of the design process together. Each member in our group had to design three logos for our Habitech group. I focused mainly on digital designs that could possibly be used for posters and brochures.

"Architectural Psychosis"

Our class went to a lecture by a professor and architect named Michael Hughes. I really enjoyed his presentation, although it was rather long. The projects he showed were easily related to ideas we have for our habitat house. He had a lot of great strategies for energy conservation and use of reclaimed materials. He even used shreded blue jeans as insulation, which was something I spoke about at one of our first group meetings.

After the lecture our class all met in Hale Hall to discuss and share our most recent research. Everything seems to be coming along well, but we are obviously pressed for time. One of the things I noticed when researching is low income families spend 50 -60% of their income on utilities; so it is vital that we do everything possible to reduce water, gas, and electricity bills.

The more I research into this project, the more I believe that architects bring greater value to the surrounding community, rather that simply providing design and construction services. The Perkins & Will design projects include transitional housing, although mostly in Seattle. Many new designs call for insulated metal panelling to help cool the home in the summer and trap heat in the winter. Its a givin fact that architects have embraced social and economic responsibility long before media turned "green living" into a word seldom used by architects. I hope that rather than creating a vernacular home, our class will design something energetic, but doesn't look too out of place with the surrounding homes.

Our class met yesterday with the LaTech chapter of Habitat for Humanity. I was surprised, they had a rather large turnout. Hopefully when we start construction they will have that same number of people. After the H4H meeting our 5th year group met to discuss where we are at in our research and what we wanted to have for Monday's meeting.

Some of the precedents I'm researching are: renovation projects, homes incorporating green roof systems, modular homes, and any projects completed with cradle to cradle guidelines. One interesting project I'm looking at is the Roanoke-Lee street affordable housing project. This community scraps any previous ideas of how affordable housing should look while showcasing obtainable energy savings. All of the homes are energy star qualified with a focus on building envelope, HVAC, water heating, lighting, & appliances.

"recycling the past to update the present"

On Tuesday our class presented our research & new ideas to our professor. From this point on, we have to refine our research and really explore the topics at hand. We have started to look at other Habitat homes build around the country by other architecture schools. We also are looking at new technologies & other ways, new and old, to create an energy efficient home. Our class has found a family that may be willing to donate a home that would otherwise be torn down. I like the idea of doing a renovation project or home from reclaimed materials. I am looking forward to a meeting tonight with LaTech's chapter of Habitat for Humanity.

Our class has decided to break into four smaller groups of two to begin research on various topics, such as: Ruston & surrounding context, current technologies, habitat, past & current individual housing.

Jordan and I went to the Ruston zoning commission and picked up some zoning maps and information on building/renovation permits. I am interested in either renovating a home or building one using as many reclaimed materials as possible. The image above shows a bench made from used tennis balls and steel skeleton. I have been searching online for information about building a home from reclaimed materials. There is a host of different places that we can search locally for materials. Habitat re-stores are a good place to begin looking, as well as, local deconstruction companies, (BMRA) The building materials and reuse association, junkyards, garage sales, and thrift shops. Looking at the BMRA website I found several "how to" videos and case studies with information supporting why using reclaimed materials is viable. (www.bmra.org)

"In 1996 construction and demolition companies generated 136 million tons of waste per year. 92% of that waste is from renovation and demolition projects, while only 20-30% is recycled"
-www.bmra.org case study #2

Building a Habitat home!

I'm excited that our class is getting the opportunity to build a habitat home. La Tech is given a lot of flexibility in designing this home and I am looking forward to the challanges that each new home has. Our group has met twice since our first in-class meeting to discuss "big ideas" and begin to set an organizational structure for the group. I have wanted to do this project since I entered the architecture program. The amount of knowledge we will gain from such a hands-on project is huge. Let the race begin.