[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.