context vs density

concept v2.0

 

Concept

Method_v2

After last week, I think my methodology is beginning to shift a bit. While I think examining precedents will be good for me in the long run, I think my focus needs to shift to the concept of phasing, this concept of phasing and how it directly relates to customization.

How does housing grow?

How can housing be customized?

How can temporary housing become permanent?

How can temporary housing become better than traditional housing?

I think these questions are at the heart of my thesis, and my methodology. I think the exploration of these questions is pivotal in my explorations, thus I think that answering these questions will take the bulk of my time. I also think that it will be difficult to say as to how I will do that. I think that it is embedded in research, design, and exploration.

So, when looking at my previous methodology, I think it still applies, but the scales need to be changed. The bulk of the time in the next two semesters will be exploring these questions through several different media.

1+3+9 (Customization & Phasing)

What is the role of architecture as it relates to hurricane relief housing, and how can it further address issues of displacement on a longer time scale?

How is relief housing rapidly built?

How are these homes customized for the occupant?

How can relief housing become a sustainable permanent structure?

Over the next two semesters, I will be examining and expanding on these points. Through a process of research, I will try to better understand the context of this project, researching precedents, climatic conditions, and as the project moves on, building methodologies. Information will be taken from these studies to inform the design process, examining assets, liabilities, and relevant information. The main point of this thesis will be to examine methodologies and typologies of hurricane relief housing. This process will examine how these buildings operate on the short term, but focus on how these buildings can be phased and customized to become permanent dwellings for those displaced by hurricanes. The focus of the project will focus on how these dwellings are transformed from single structures to sustainable homes for extended use. The challenge of the project will be to see how these dwellings can be built quickly and economically at first, and then morphed over time to become permanent dwellings. Questions of building methodologies will come into play, and can determine how these homes are built, what is most efficient on each time scale and the benefits of cost vs. time. The main focus of this design process will be the study and implementation of phasing and customization and how it is influenced by the occupant.

Method

Position Paper v.1.1

The role of architecture as it relates to hurricane relief housing in different areas and sub climates in the southeast and how it can address further issues of homelessness beyond its use as a relief shelter.

The goal is to examine and provide sustainable relief housing for natural disasters that can be rapidly built and be site specific.

Examine how different cultures react to natural disasters such as hurricanes in 3 distinct areas: South Florida, the Gulf Coast, and the Coastal Carolinas.

Look for potential opportunities to have the housing be expandable and customizable for permanent use in areas like Miami, which has the highest homeless rate in the country.

In the process, research will be done to examine previous precedents for emergency relief housing, to look at their short comings as well as past successes.

Also, as part of this process, the need to examine the main areas and climates affected by hurricanes, the potential assets and liabilities of each of these climates, and how they can affect the given design and sustainability of each home.

Apply what I have learned through research to design a home that will be site specific, and fit into the given context, but still work off of a prototype, only using minor modifications for each sub climate.

A goal of this process is to examine prototyping, and ways to build homes as fast as possible to respond to a hurricane, therefore examining different means of construction, site built, prefab, etc.

This project is meant to explore how to economically build homes, while still being sustainable.

Meaning, that these homes should not only be able to be built cheap, but have lower baseline costs to maintain them as well.

A secondary goal of the project is to see how these homes can influence and address the transition back to a sense of normalcy.

However, during this transition, it is important to see how these homes can affect areas of high homeless rates, like South Florida, and if these homes can help alleviate some of this burden.

So, the final goal of this project is to see how these homes can be customized to provide for permanent housing.