MICA ENV Design | Build Shelter Project: Design 2.0

2.0design build r&d

m i c a e n v 390, s h e lt e r p r o t o t y p e d e s i g n 2.0f o r e wa r d b y d av i d l o p e z, s p r i n g 2011

design build r&d

m i c a e n v 390, s h e lt e r p r o t o t y p e d e s i g n 2.0f o r e wa r d b y d av i d l o p e z, s p r i n g 2011

2.0

c r e d i t s

Maryland Institute College of Art ( m i c a )m i c a ’s Center for Design Practice ( c d p )m i c a ’s Environmental Design Department ( e n v )e n v 390 Design Build Studio

Table of Contents 4

68144094

t h e d e s i g n t e a m

d e s i g n o u t c o m e

d e s i g n a s s i g n m e n t s

f i e l d t r i p

i n t r o d u c t i o n

Forward

After eight weeks of intensive research and discussion, we picked up our pencils.

It was time to start applying some of our research into a prototype design that we anticipate building in the Fall of 2011. There are so many considerations, the one thing that became instantly clear is that we had to be constructive in our approach to the design problem. It would be too easy to forget all of the research. Those moments when design feels like it is becoming something—something that is unique and beautiful—as designers we often lose sight of the things that inform design, for the things that enhance design.

I developed a series of assignments that worked like building blocks. These building blocks would create a linear progression from the basics of our research to their resolution in design. The first effort looked at ten key elements that we considered as a group in the development of the shelter:

Passive Air Movement

Sun Shading & Heat Gain

Water Collection & filtration

Sanitation

Renewable Energy

Work Stimulation

Flood Prevention

Safety & security

Privacy & Dignity

Health & Wellness

These are things often talked about in disaster relief scenarios. However their consideration in the design of transitional shelters is too infrequent. We felt it would be an important step to try and demon-strate how each of these individual consid-erations can be manifested in a simple one-room structure.

The results stimulated more thinking about design and the strategies to employ. The next step was to combine some of these strate-gies into a shelter that had multiple consid-erations. The second design assignment was to simply take three of the elements and merge them into one design. It was the second building block—and the most criti-cal development in our design process.

The team quickly began to realize that there was no “universal design” approach that would solve conditions for all environ-ments…shelters need to adapt to specific environments, specific cultures, and specific climates. How can one design a quality wa-ter collection system that will have univer-sal appeal? It simply wasn’t feasible. So we developed this notion of assessment.

Assessment is a pro-active consideration.

5 mi ca e n v 390 | Shelter Prototype Design 2.0

We looked at the conditions before the di-saster happened so that we could better in-form a suitable solution for the conditions post-disaster. The case studies proved that there are too many wild cards—too many broken strains in various cultures that have obvious ripples into the effectiveness of the relief effort. How can shelter continuously be provided without such consideration?

The next design assignment re-examined the case studies. We broke back into four teams and developed “ideal” solutions for transitional shelters based on the research of each of the disaster arenas, considering both the “before” and the “after” picture.

The solutions presented, although quickly arrived at and with definite shortcomings, showed progress in a line of thinking—as-sessment and design seemed to work well together to produce formidable solutions for the problems being faced.

The final assignment broke the studio into two teams. We fabricated a disaster sce-nario so that assessment could take place. The teams looked at pre-existing circum-stances, then developed a line of thinking toward the reactions of the populations in the region of Mexico City should the city be struck by an earthquake. For the first time we interpreted data of conditions prior to a disaster ever taking place. We investigated

social conditions, economics, politics, cul-tural circumstances, planning and design already engrained into the cultural montage.

The teams then used the data and the re-search and developed small, planned com-munities that reacted to conditions and needs they felt would be critical should such an unfortunate circumstance arrive. As faculty, I was amazed at the fluidity of the overall process, the effort by the students in the seven weeks we had to do design was inspiring. The continuity of the design pro-cess kept the dialogue linear and focused. The outcomes were debated.

Our final jury had trouble selecting one so-lution over the other—the hope was to pick one to move forward with as the basis of design for the prototype…so we find our-selves still developing a single solution for the build. However, we feel more informed and exact than ever.

The following documentation is a brief over-view of the seven weeks we used for design.

Introduction 6

d av i d l o p e z, a dj u n c t fa c u lt y m ay 2011

The first class back from Spring Break in-cluded a field trip to Gutierrez Studios—a custom fabrications studio here in Balti-more, Maryland. They are well known for their unique installations and fabrications throughout the city and for well-crafted custom furnishings and lighting fixtures, among other things. So what better place to learn about materials and methods then to go visit their shop and talk about possibilities.

Kevin Weston, the studio manager, offered to host us for the day.

Field Trip

We walked through the shop, talked about tools, and learned what they could and couldn’t do. We looked at samples, saw ex-amples of their work, talked about process, and means and methods. The experience energized the studio—research got us thinking about why to build…the field trip got us thinking about how to build.

We would like to thank Gutierrez Studios for their interest in our efforts and their support. The visit was quite an energy boost.

g uti e r r e z stu d ios

b a lt i m o r e , m a ry l a n d

s p r i n g 2011

Field Trip

mi ca e n v 390 | Shelter Prototype Design 2.07

mi ca e n v 390 | Shelter Prototype Design 2.09

This spreadBent metal mock-up, class discussionon materials, bent metal detail

Previous spreadBent metal detail

Following spreadVarious metal details in the studio

Images

10Field Trip | Gutierrez Studios


As a class we have managed to research the many aspects of disaster relief and have pro-vided detailed analysis of specific scenarios and how they were managed on the ground.

It is easy to recognize that there are many complexities in the process of providing relief to those who are directly affected by disasters. As a class, we can understand that the search for a “panacea”—or an all-encompassing solution that will be effec-tive anywhere and everywhere—does not exist. There are too many variables to con-sider, most of which do not become appar-ent until the moment relief arrives and at-tempts to be distributed.

Design Assignments

14Design Assignments

i m p l e m e n tat i o n

1.21.1s t r at e g i e s

m e t r i c e va luat i o n

1.31.4d e s i g n i n g a b u i l d a b l e s h e lt e r

Certain standards of design can be imple-mented in very basic ways using forms, systems, or strategies that can be consid-ered “universal.”

For instance, we can assume that a structure to be placed in an area of frequent flooding would need to be elevated to be effective. This simple strategy than can be imple-mented into the typical design standard.

The following is a list of basic design con-cepts that can be implemented using a build-ing form, a building system, or a building strategy. The students task was to design a single solution that demonstrates how a building can implement the concept.

1.1

Design Strategies


Design strategies to promote air movement.

Passive Air Movement

Design Concepts

Sun Shading and Heat Gain

Design systems to alleviate heat gain and promote shading and cooling.

Water Collection and Filtration

Design forms and systems that promote water collection and reuse.

Sanitation

Design systems and strategies that pro-mote proper sanitation and use waste.

Renewable Energy

Design forms and strategies that tap into renewable energy sources.

Work Simulation

Design strategies and systems that pro-mote job stimulation and provide work.

Flood Prevention

Design systems that promote the preven-tion of standing water and proper drainage.

Safety and Security

Design strategies that promote safety and security for the tenants.

Privacy and Dignity

Design systems and strategies that promote aspects of privacy and dignity.

Health and Wellness

Design strategies that promote proper san-itation, health and wellness.

16Design Assignments | Strategies


This spreadSecurity and ventilation study models

Previous spreadShading device and green roof details

Following spreadSun shading, heat gain, and safety studies

Images




Implementation

Each student designed three separate scenarios, employing forms, strategies, or systems to give shape to a structure that supports a unique, sustainable function.

The next step of the design exercise merged design concepts. Each student took three of the categories given in the first assignment, and used the various forms, systems and strategies to develop one cohesive design. The new task is to design a two-room struc-ture of approximately 175 square feet (150-200). The rooms are connected with a door-way or open partitions that can be separated as needed. Openings are incorporated into the design to allow for air movement.Screening is provided on these openings for privacy, as required. The goal is to continue to utilize forms, strategies, and systems to implement multiple design strategies.

1.2


22Design Assignments | Implementation

Implementation


This spreadSun shading, safety and security, andsanitation studies, model studies

Previous spreadScreen detail, class presentations, andmodel studies

Images



This spreadModel studies and presentations

Images


We continued to consolidate and condense the ideas and focus with each layer of the effort, and applied additional metrics, ma-terials and methods to the development of the concepts. All of which now begin to work in unison.

The program for the next phase of the as-signment remained the same—a two-room shelter of approximately 175 square feet. However, the concepts employed within this phase react to site specific information.

The student reconnected with their teams from the Case Study assignment. The teams collaborated and developed a met-rics model for each of the case study cli-mates—including solar exposure, wind models, rainfall expectations, and mean temperatures. In addition, consideration is given to the cultural narrative.

Considerations such as: structures that provide comfort and familiarity to an affected population in the country or re-gion, typical materials used in construc-tion throughout the region, and typical skilled labor expected to employ in con-struction. We also considered specific cul-tural lifestyles and their effects on the de-sign. The students were asked to be specific with their motives for the selection of materials, methods, and metrics, and determined with their design output in consideration of lifestyle.

They were also asked to consider circum-stance and to remember that resourcing materials, labor, and lifestyle needs are frequently limited in disaster relief…excess is unwarranted in such a scenario.

1.3

Metric Evaluation


28Design Assignments | Metric Evaluation

Metric Evaluation


This spreadTeam Haiti strategies, study model, andprocess sketches

Previous spreadTeam Haiti critique; Team Haiti, Paki-stan, and Tsunami study models

Images

30Design Assignments | Metric Evaluation


This spreadTeam Katrina and Tsunami critiques;Metrics research, Elevation detail

Images


The final assignment divided the class into two teams that worked together to develop a working model for a transitional shelter that will be constructed in the Fall. The goal was to take the design through the Design Development phase, setting up the possibility for the development of Con-struction Documents over the summer.

In order to do this, teams used a project man-agement philosophy to ensure that every aspect of the design was considered. With 14 students, we had two teams of seven competing against each other toward a common goal—an effective overall design implementation of as many of the “design strategies” from the previous design proj-ects as reasonable. This effort needed to be detailed, highly evolved, and ready for con-struction level drawings.

Teams chose to use their personnel in any manner they felt suitable to work effective-ly as a team. However, it was critical that the final designs had definitive strategies for the use of materials, energy systems, water management systems, mechanical systems or passive systems, and costs as-sociated with each element that they chose to put into their design.

1.4

Designing a Buildable Shelter


Brief Requirements

This morning, at 10:57 am e s t , an earth-quake struck the Pacific coast of Mexico, with a reported magnitude of 8.7. The epi-center is believed to be about 200 miles west of Mexico City, however it was also close to the surface, and it is being reported that dam-ages to Mexico City and outlying regions are significant. Early reports indicate severe damage to several residential neighborhoods and outlying regions of the city with a dis-placed population already in the 200,000 range. One expert anticipates up to 1.4 mil-lion people will be displaced by the event.

Disaster relief agencies are requesting de-sign strategies with these requirements:

Each shelter should house a minimum of three persons, the cluster total equaling 25 persons. Considerations should be made for rudimentary disease prevention—hand cleaning stations, toilets, and showers

Emergency Brief

should be incorporated into the design of the shelters themselves, or as a central sta-tion within the cluster.

Power systems are severely damaged in the region, so accommodations should be made for rudimentary power provisions as re-quired by the cluster energy consumption.

Budget for the cluster is $25,000.00 (u s d ) total. Total cost for an individual shelter should not exceed $28/square foot.

The shelters should work as stand-alone structures, without toilet or power required should the agency choose to use it individ-ually. Stay within the budget constraints of $28/sq. ft. Teams should develop the clus-ter model with considerations given to the footprint to lay out the clusters as efficient-ly as possible, making best use of the land.

34Design Assignments | Designing a Buildable Shelter

Designing a Buildable Shelter

150s q ua r e f e e t

family size per unit & total cluster occupancy

3.5/2525,000c lu s t e r b u d g e t i n u s d

s q ua r e f o o t b u d g e t i n u s d


The first team presents to outside critics; Concept model for proto-type design.

Final Presentations

36Design Assignments | Designing a Buildable Shelter


This spread “Gill System” and “Gabion Wall” models

Images



Design OutcomeOur design work continued into the summer as we worked to refine our basic concepts that were born from strategies evolving from our research. We wanted to be sure the shelter identified opportunities for safety and security, health and wellness, and work stimulation while still incorpo-rating architectural design motifs promot-ing sustainable ideals—things like passive cooling and good ventilation.

A few of us ventured to the International Aid Conference in Washington d.c. in early June to check out other shelter concepts and possible equipment provisions that we could utilize.

m at e r i a l s

2.22.1s h e lt e r d e s i g n

c o m m u n i t y

2.340Design Outcome

Shelter Design

We walked away from the conference hav-ing found the basis of our design—a 2” gal-vanized square tube framing system that had the strength and durability we were looking for to build our product.

We laid out an ideal size for the prototype that we thought would adequately provide sleeping quarters for a family of 3 to 4 indi-viduals at product delivery.

The floor is designed as 4 pallets that will be used for shipping the components of the shelter. Some will carry building materials, others will carry aid distribution packages that we hope to provide through future partnerships. At the delivery site, the pal-lets are set up on a system of piers with cast-in-place steel brackets that allow all 4 pallets to mate up, forming one floor plate. Blocking at the perimeter of the floor plate

serves as a shelf for the metal framing sys-tem to rest on. With the floor plate in place, and the metal framing system erected, the design calls for pressure treated lumber to sister onto the vertical members of the metal frame. This provides our nailing sur-face for the sheathing.

2.1


In an effort to simplify the concept, and reduce the amount of materials being used, our wall sheathing is nailed to the interior of the metal framing. This provides a smooth interior wall finish on the interior for painting or staining at the owner’s dis-cretion. A number of hinged components fold into furnishings for the home—a small table for eating, and a shelving unit for storage. Additionally, a number of the pan-els are hinged to operate like gills—the owner has the ability to control the cross breezes by opening and closing the gills.

Two of the panels are hinged for 90 degree stops, where they will form a divider with-in the space, creating two rooms. This gives the family the possibility of privacy—something we felt was important to the dignity and mental well-being of the stressed population. The roof then gets put on top. We have added a layer of plywood sheathing to the roof, under the metal roofing,

to dampen the sound of falling rain, which tends to be a problem in many of the transi-tional shelters currently on the market. A ridge vent helps circulate the warm, stale air.

On the exterior of the metal framing a welded wire mesh is attached and forms the support system for the exterior skin. This concept offers opportunity to stimu-late the workforce. We imagine a market developing for different kinds of materials that can be collected and used as tempo-rary building skins during the transitional phase of rebuilding. Some will collect de-bris from the disaster, clean it, break it down, and prepare it for weaving through the wire mesh. Others will be able to earn income by becoming weavers. A bartering system could also develop that provides ex-change for goods and services. Any of these options are ideal, and ultimately positive for a population under stress.

Construction ConsiderationsReduced Materials

42Design Outcome | Shelter Design

Shelter Design

“ The ability to realize cultures in transition, how they change and how they adapt, is critical to providing a solution for transitional shelter that can evolve with the circumstance.”


This spreadPallet system, modular floor plates

Following SpreadTypical and optional floor plans

Images


Shelter Design



Shelter Design

Building Section

Design Rendering

Tools for Living

The shelter therefore becomes a tool capa-ble of providing stimulation in the form of jobs or work. Our trip to Haiti taught us that flat-packed shelter concepts certainly do provide quick access to shelter, but typi-cally fail to provide other needed provi-sions—like jobs or steady labor. A shelter erected in 12 hours lacks the sustainable capacity for continued work stimulation— but a shelter that can be assembled quickly, and still have several days worth of effort to complete the exterior skin can offer the pop-ulation in distress a much-needed service.

An added benefit to this wall system is that the interior sheathing and the exterior skin form an insulating double-wall. The exte-rior skin works like a traditional rain screen, shielding the interior sheathing from the elements. It also protects the inte-

rior wall surface from the effects of the sun. The air space in between the two skins thus has a natural chimney-effect—circu-lating the heated air up and out before the heat begins to have a thermal impact on the interior surface. This keeps the interior spaces cooler and more comfortable.

As the family grows… as utilities and infra-structure start to get put in place after the disaster… as the community begins to tran-sition from the rebuilding phase to a re-newed culture, the shelter can be easily added to, and the skin can be removed and replaced with something more suitable for the culture and place where it is located. Our belief is that families will evolve as their living condition evolves, and the shel-ter’s ability to recognize change is an added benefit to this proposed solution.

Job Stimulation and Expansion

Exterior Elevation

Design Rendering

Metal roof1.Plywood sheathing2.Galvanized metal frame3.Welded wire mesh4.Optional skin material5.

Exploded & Assembled Axons

Design Renderings


Daylighting and materials

Design Renderings


Exterior material studies

Design Renderings


Exterior and foundations

Design Renderings


Material transparency

Design Renderings


Welded wire mesh details

Design Renderings


Community design concepts are ultimately as important as the design of the shelter it-self—the ability to realize cultures in tran-sition, how they change, and how they adapt is critical to providing a solution for transitional shelter that can evolve with the circumstance.

We could have proposed solar panels, but transitional shelters typically have little need for power. A simple battery station for cell phones can be provided. We could eas-ily add a water collection system and filtra-tion tank, but the community layout allows for an accessible clean water tank that can

Larger design concepts

Community

be serviced by water delivery trucks. A small tank for hand and feet washing would do the trick. We used the lessons we learned from post-disaster conditions in Haiti—design within reach with recogni-tion of the services already provided. This makes for a much simpler, and more dura-ble finished product.

Our hope is to construct a prototype this Fall and test these concepts. If the pro-posed design has marketability, we will be-gin to look into partnerships in an effort to meet a stated goal at the beginning of this effort—1 million shelters in 10 years.

Materials

Our design chooses to integrate a cultural dialogue. We think this can be accomplished by installing the sheathing on the interior of the framing, allowing for a flexible skin material to be attached to the outside. This material would not be part of the shelter package. It would not be sourced abroad and sent to the site. It would not be shipped at all.

Instead, our hope is that the local popula-tion will be stimulated to fashion their own exteriors. The decision of what these shel-ters eventually look like is therefore left up to the resident.

For our own efforts, we imagined a culture of recycled materials—using things typi-cally found in the waste stream or inland-fills to fashion a few mock-ups of our own. Our skins would be made of overgrown and harvested bamboo, recycled tires, twigs and branches from yard waste, plastic shopping bags, even plastic bottles could be used.

Our culture finds new uses for things that are no longer usable.

2.2


Bamboo, recycled plastic bags, recycled tires, twigs and branches, building rubble, and plastic bottles

Building Skins

66Design Outcome | Materials

Building skin mock-up with twigs and branches; plastic yarn tests

Material Mock-ups


Materials


Detail of twigs and branches; detail of plastic yarn weaving

Material Mock-ups


Materials


Bamboo weave wall mock-up and tire weave wall mock-up

Material Mock-ups


Materials

Vertical application of plastic yarn

Recycled Plastic Bags


Making Plastic Yarn

Flatten1.Fold2.Fold again3.Cut into strips4.Tie strips together5.Pull tight and repeat6.Plastic yarn7.


1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

Community

We recognize the need for conceptualiza-tion outside the limits of the shelter. For our project to be successful, it is our belief that their deployment into dense popula-tions using multiple shelters needs to be designed. In addition, consideration should be given to the durability of the shelter, provisions for infrastructure development over time, and the employment of strate-gies for expansion as affected populations transition from the rebuilding phase into permanent communities. The design can be customized based on site requirements and restrictions.

Shelter is critical to long term stability… and shelter is a basic human right. It pro-vides dignity, safety, protection, and a sense of awareness—giving individuals an identifiable place to live their lives from.

Without shelter, these characteristics of human habitation do not exist, which re-sults in behavioral disorders, psychological trauma, and a general disconnection from the rest of society. Although shelter is not necessarily life-saving, it is certainly life-affirming, giving persons a platform from which they can begin the process of re-building their lives.

The same can be said for living within a community. Individuals in affected regions post-disaster can benefit from others in similar circumstances for shared resources, protection and safety, shared information, and aid acquisition. The ability of a group of individuals to act as one unit provides im-proved living conditions for the collective.

2.3


Issues of safety and health concerns in the wake of disasters are well documented. The organization of tent camps and shel-ters begins in the critical weeks and months after a disaster. The success or failure of this organization typically shape the future outlook of an affected region, and can be projected to define the outcome of rebuilding. Should the situation with shelter be handled deliberately, with skill and acumen, and in a method that provides human dignity and identity, then it could be assumed that the rebuilding process will succeed on many levels. Should shelter be provided in haphazard fashion, over-populated, with significant shelter short-ages after the six-month period, then is-sues of crime, disease, spikes in the rate of pregnancy, and a general malaise begin to take hold in the affected areas.

Our proposal is to organize the communi-ties in groups of 4, 6 or 8 shelters at a time—a situation where persons using the shelters will become commonly aware of a smaller group of individuals, therefore creating a sense of “tribe” or commonality that will bolster a defense against acts of violence or theft. The shelters organize around a small central courtyard functioning as an out-door “kitchen” area in the weeks and months immediately after the disaster un-til infrastructure can be put in place to sup-port cooking inside the shelters.

Public restrooms and showers are also ac-commodated in the layout of the commu-nity, with direct access to main thorough-fares for transportation vehicles to conduct daily maintenance.

Designing Safe Communities

Safety & Health

76Design Outcome | Community

Community

Such avenues become the veins of reha-bilitation—with supplies and critical sup-port capable of delivery, and as a source for transportation as individuals move about to find the needs of their communities.

With the courtyard schemes laying out shelters in dense groupings, pedestrian pathways in between communities allow for a market economy to take hold—a place for bartering or selling goods. Communities can grow to be self supporting modalities in time. Therefore, a working neighborhood develops with groups of 4 to 8 communi-ties—some 20 to 40 shelters, with shared bathing and restroom facilities, and a working trade market. We estimate populations of 80 to 200 persons functioning in a neighbor-hood before the infrastructure is taxed.

This layout provides extreme benefits to the rebuilding effort. Over time communi-ties can grow, break down, mutate and evolve into permanent dwellings based on ownership and family size. The units them-selves have some expansion possibilities. Other options include acquiring multiple shelters to house a family compound. As the months and years stabilize conditions, the land can be purchased, and these shel-ters can be retrofitted with utilities, per-manent finishes, and landscaping.

Neighborhoods eventually begin to take shape that recognize a troubled past, but look forward to a stable future.

Neighborhood Rehabilitation

Infrastructure


Community design concept images

Cluster Renderings

Main avenues allowing for vehicular traffic1.Pedsestrian pathways between shelter clusters2.Outdoor marketplace3.Shelter cluster with a central courtyard functioning as an outdoor kitchen4.Shared restrooms, showers, and clean water tanks adjacent to roadways5.


Community

The white and blue specks in this image represent families. Tent camps form hap-hazardly on land that may or may not be granted for the purpose. Such organiza-tion makes access to shared restrooms and services difficult for women and chil-dren since there are many hidden pockets of space out of public view.

Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Aerial View

Delmas Tent Camp



Community


Three-phase growth plan

Community Growth Model


Community

“ Individuals in affected regions post-disaster can benefit from others in similar circumstances for shared resources, protection, safety, shared information, and aid acquisition.

The ability of a group of individuals to act as one unit provides improved living conditions for the collective.”



A lot has happened over a very short period of time. And as we steamroll into construc-tion, I find myself working through all the images and text we have written, all the emails, all the assignment reports and data… I am amazed at the capacity of our group. It is so overwhelming.

Since we began, new disasters have taken place. By mid-year 2011, some 355 disas-ters of various scales had occurred over the globe, and it is anticipated that this will be the costliest year of record to deal with the aftermath. Japan had an earthquake and tsunami in March; New Zealand had two significant earthquakes this year; land-slides and flashfloods in Brazil; and the United States had several severe storms and floodwater events that will cost the

Conclusions

Conclusions 88

government billions of dollars in recovery funding. Here in Baltimore we felt the ef-fects of a significant earthquake and rode out a hurricane all in the same week.

And we find ourselves on the doorstep of 7 billion people worldwide.

It is all so difficult to ignore.

Yet, the class continued moving forward. By the end of the spring semester we still had many unresolved issues – including a design that needed refinement, and price points for the construction that needed to be met. Our funding sources had begun to dry up, and it was becoming clear to me that this effort was going to struggle might-ily if it were to succeed. The only comfort-ing thought in these times was that it seemed to make sense – a project investi-gating the trial and errors of disaster relief and transitional housing should struggle to find its own path to success. Our effort therefore had to take on some new wrinkles. We could no longer simply focus on design

guidelines and strategies for implementa-tion. Instead we had to become activators for our own mission – raising funds, bal-ancing budgets, finding resources, and networking to ensure we could eventually build our prototype.

Several students continued the effort into the summer, and I should recognize their efforts here—Zoe Axelrod, Kelly Marburger, Seung Min Hwang and Tessa Tripodi helped to not only complete the design package, but also began a process for fund-raising that is providing us with the re-sources we need to build in the Fall. Thank you all for your determination.

So, as we begin the construction effort, I wanted to take a moment to re-visit some of the things we hoped to accomplish to see if our goals are still achievable:

We want to design transitional shelter that can deal with different scenarios.

Conclusions


Our metal framework system is designed to deal with hurricane force winds, and can be braced to accommodate earthquake movements. Elevating the structure on foundation piers allows families to stay dry above flood waters.

We want a system that can be implemented in a variety of ways.

Our skin concept allows for a variety of cultural dialogues to be adapted into our structure. And our community design con-cepts can help promote healthier, more sus-tainable neighborhoods after recovery.

We want a system that is enduring.

Our shelter has a lifespan beyond the re-covery effort, as it can transition into per-manent housing with a few modifications. Also, we have considered the possibility of expansion, which has yet to be fully inte-grated into the design.

We want a design that can become part of the solution. d av i d l o p e z

Our concepts have taken the local needs into account in several ways, most nota-bly by developing a work stimulation pro-gram in collaboration with the construc-tion of the shelters. Our community proposals also demonstrate the need for smaller market-type situations where people can barter for goods and services.

We want a solution that considers the living condition.

By developing the possibility of a multi-room shelter with a skin system that can evolve with the individual circumstance, issues such as safety and security, dignity and pride, have become part of our solu-tion. What remains to be seen is how the unit functions in a real scenario.

I hope that we get there…

More to come…

Conclusions 90


This book is a collection of random and sig-nificant portions of our class dialogue. These pages represent what we are talking about as we begin to engage the design of the project. It represents our research.

The intensity of this ever-escalating prob-lem warrants greater understanding, not simply in the architecture of a shelter it-self, but in all aspects of the lives of those affected. What we have discovered so far is that a shelter is not simply a shelter but something of a greater significance. It is something informative, something protec-tive, something capable of providing both dignity and hope.

What I initially had anticipated for this project no longer makes sense. The project has escalated due to these investigations. I have the following students to thank for it.

Thank You

Zoe Axelrod, Tessa Tripodi, Seung Min Hwang, Kelly Marburger

Summer Design Team

The Design Team 92

“No group or segment of society should be exempt from the security or assurance that is often provided for the wealthy.”


— a n t o i n e h e at h

zoe axelrod moulee basumallik leslie giron antoine heath seung min hwang lisa kaliczak rachel kang kelly marburger john mcglew nick richardson renee hhen kallie sternburgh tessa tripodi kurt waters

tim hoover jessica karle

Environmental Design, Culture and Politics, JuniorEnvironmental Design, JuniorEnvironmental Design, JuniorEnvironmental Design, SeniorEnvironmental Design, SeniorEnvironmental Design, SeniorEnvironmental Design, JuniorInterdisciplinary Sculpture, Graphic Design, SeniorEnvironmental Design, SophomoreEnvironmental Design, Junior Exchange Student, Emily Carr Institute, Junior Environmental & Graphic Design, Culture and Politics, Senior Environmental Design, Culture and Politics, Junior Environmental Design, Senior Graphic Design, First-Year GraduateGraphic Design, First-Year Graduate

students

f r o m o p p o s i t e pa g e

The Design Team 94

p r i vat e s p o n s o r s h i p p r ov i d e d b y

Sarah ChapinEllen Lupton and Abbott Miller George Murdock David Sterritt Richard Wiklund

p r oj e ct s p o n s o r s h i p p r ov i d e d by

Architecture for Humanity BaltimoreGutierrez StudiosHord | Coplan | Macht(oo-d-a)Whiting TurnerWorldwide Shelters

SponsorsOur class would like to recognize our sponsors to the project effort. We thank them for their kindness and generosity in helping us with this opportunity.

p u b l i c at i o n d e s i g n

Timothy Hoover, Jessica Karle, David LopezMaryland Institute College of Art ( m i c a )e n v 390 Design Build Studio

t y p o g r a p h y

Berthold Akzidenz-GroteskSentinel TungstenWhitney

© 2011, m i c a e n v 390, Design Build Studio This publication is printed on recycled content

Date post:	23-Mar-2016
Category:	Documents
Upload:	jessica-karle
View:	228 times
Download:	2 times