Refining Design

So how can an anti-cubic approach change the way in which one experiences their existence within their immediate environment of home?
By breaking down walls and creating a open plan, one can have a sense of freedom rather than restriction. Instead of the designer dictating which box should be used for each programmatic element, the occupant will have options in how they wish to use each space. Additionally, our concept of flexibility can be manipulated in such a way that allows multi-function spaces. This does not suggest that it will lack an inherent sequence of spatial movement, but supports the families authorship of the homes spatial functions.
Ultimately, we hope tot influence the practicality of each space, but ensure that its experientially enjoyable.

Resolving obstacles that arise during the design phase has proven to be an arduous feat. During each review and within each group discussion, every idea is being dissected and critiqued for its logical and conceptual relevance. It seems to have become a somewhat robotic response. But we must persist in our attention to the ethos of this project!

Below are some images that depict relevant sustainability design research

Demands in Design

After a short break, getting back into the studio has been exciting. There have already been many surprises, and I'm aware that it's only just beginning! The pre-break announcement that some of the 4th year students would be working with us on the project disappointed me somewhat, at first. I felt almost cheated in some way, or like someone had informed me that I would no longer have a lead role in my own play! This is our final exhibition project which should be a physical representation of the knowledge and skill we've gained during Architecture School.

After giving this some consideration, I realized that I was thinking about it the wrong way......
No one, is taking our spotlight. This is an opportunity to experience team work on a higher level and on a real-time project. It's an opportunity to influence others, and share our perspectives and interests, while being introduced to their ideas as well. Hence, fostering a mutual appreciation and respect that could be a huge advantage to outcome of the project. We've all worked long and hard to get to this point and it is a privilege to have this experience. This is still our project as long as we invest ownership. It is up to each of us, how much ownership we take. If we don't have a certain conviction about what we hope to accomplish, we can't expect the 4th year students to bring the same amount of motivation to the table. This is a chance for everyone to display leadership and ambition. And ultimately, if individually we fail to take advantage of that opportunity, it will be detrimental to our project as a whole!

On a different note, I was also doing some more thinking about design. One of the architects I admire is William McDonough. He is regarded in high esteem and is a world renowned designer to whom three U.S. Presidential awards have been given. He designed and built the first solar-heated house in Ireland in 1977. He has remained the leader in sustainable development. I believe the Pine Island Residence is one of his most beautiful works.




It's a rustic and intimate family retreat. It incorporates the design of traditional Japanese housing and seems to blur the boundaries between its interior and exterior space. Many windows and simple red cedar wood, surrounded by tall trees, grasses, and a beautiful marshy wilderness completes this effect. It is designed to link the home to its surrounding by opening up to its landscape. Its natural cooling is successful by cross-ventilation of one-room-deep structures and deep overhangs providing shade. These features seem to subtly, yet conspicuously encompass one within the visual and physical environment.



One of my personal hopes for this project is to design a plan that organizes a fluid transition from one functional area to another, while producing a unified, open-air dwelling. This would relieve the partner family from the traditional, cubic spatial cells which are so confining. Thus, allowing the occupants to experience more continuous space within limited square footage.

My Wondering Mind

I have been thinking about what a home is to those who are less fortunate than most. There were some saddening thoughts which presented themselves. One might think that a family who comes from a disheartening, poverty ridden environment would want a traditional style home. I asked myself why: And I concluded that perhaps its because it is what they are most familiar with and exposed to through daily travel or TV or magazines. They see the cute little house with the picket fence and just daydream of having something better one day (that is unless, their spirit has been completely broken). They might consider this recurring image of a home as a luxury. And I considered why: The home serves as stability. I imagined what it must be like to live in an environment where some of the appliances don't work, or maybe there is masking tape over a broken window, or if there was only heat/air-conditioning in some of the rooms, or if there were rodents and pests which invaded your space and caused destruction to the place you call home, or if the floors were not fully intact or uneven or not level, or if your bathing area was sub-standard and the room in your are supposed to feel clean and refreshed left you with a sense of disgust instead. These may be extreme thoughts but there are many who live in those conditions for their entire lifetime. The psychological effect this might have on a person is beyond my imagination. I would think that it leaves one feeling continually uneasy, never being able to relax knowing that something may break or colapse at any time and still you must work to survive in this environment. Or worse, knowing that you must raise a family in these conditions.
A profound realization about why I have chosen the field of architecture occurred within me. I want to create an environment which builds self confidence, integrity and identity. People who live in these conditions are oppressed by them. They don't chose these environments and therefore, they are unable to completely embrace an identity which is their own. They see what they relate to normality and yet they are independently not capable of attaining it. I would like to improve the livelihood of a family who may suffer from some of these living conditions. I would like to help design/build a home of which one can be proud and relax. And one which encourages personal/family growth with comfortable amenities among a welcoming community.
We are all part of a community of human beings. And it is our responsibilty to be proactive in improving lives all around us. We all have unique talents and skills. What are they worth if we don't share them to improve life.

Black Monday

I got an email from Ken Taylor. He's my Habitat for Humanity contact for IRS forms and documentation of Proof Of Exemption status as a non-profit charitable organization. I need to get a copy of Habitat for Humanity's IRS Form 990 and IRS 501(c)3 Authorization Permit, in order to send in the grant applications for those grants we are targeting. I spent many hours researching of any grants that might be available to our organization. At first, it was a struggle and I was not turning-up anything in the way of potential funding for our project. There were so many of which we had missed the deadline, or we did not qualify for one reason or another. Then things began to take a turn for the better. I found 8 grants for which we qualified and deadlines were not an issue. In getting all the information together to begin the application process, I found that they required IRS proof of status as a charitable organization which is tax exempt. I discovered that HabiTech10 was not able to file under the schools Tax ID number and Status because we are not an established student organization (each 5th year class designs a different project and is independent as a student organization from previous classes).
Unfortunately, the email informed me that Ken has searched all documentation given to him by his predecessor, and there is no IRS Form 990 nor the IRS 501(c)3 Authorization Permit. Furthermore, there is no evidence that the forms had ever be filed by the Ruston chapter of Habitat for Humanity. I'm not sure has that can be, but none-the-less that's the status I've been given. He did inform me that he would take all steps toward finding out if the chapter would be considered under the International organizations exemption. No one ever filed a Form 990 or Tax Exemption 501(c)3. He said he would begin to file an IRS Form 990. He expressed that he assumed it would take several weeks to get a reply from the IRS.....GO FIGURE!
So, it's the waiting game until I hear back from Ken and hope dearly that we don't fail to meet the application deadlines due to this obstacle!

Itterations of Schematic Layout

These are some sketches.

Schematic Site Design

Looking at site conditions and formulating schematic parti diagrams gives the design process a starting point which takes advantage of the site pros and avoids the site cons. It provides a general layout which later can be developed based on which diagram is most practical for the design goals we wish to accomplish.

Today I Write

Much has happened since the project began. There have been so many things to be done before the actual design phase gets underway. It took a team to build the resources necessary to produce a solid foundation for design work (which of course, is what we are all so excited about getting to). I won't bore you with complete details of research. However, I will provide pertinent flashbacks within subjects I feel dictate the need.

Since project introduction, our team has resolved our goals into a communal mission statement, which reads:

HabiTech10 is an organization committed to the design of a new standard of cost-efficient and adaptable housing. Our housing strategy combines modular building systems, prefabricated construction methods, and a flexible design that will adjust to site and family conditions. As aspiring architects, we wish to benefit a family, Habitat for Humanity, and ourselves by optimizing the use of habitable space and combining innovative building strategies.

Current Focus: Modularity . Prefabrication . Flexibility

What does this mean to me?
In one word......resiliency. And thus implying strength and permanence.

Why is this significant to our project?
We are building a home for a less fortunate family. One who may not have had the luxury of a stable home. Through our design objectives of Modularity, Prefabrication, and Flexibility, we hope to design a home which will accommodate the family through life changes, family changes and changing spatial needs. In addition, we hope to provide Habitat For Humanity with a design plan which can be easily adjusted to accommodate the needs of many other families with varying circumstantial requirements. And to expedite the building process and relieve the need for skilled labor, we hope to provide a design which takes advantage of prefabrication opportunities. We won't stop there. We also have a responsibility to the environment, as well as the family. And that responsibility is to design the most efficient home, within our capabilities, to assure affordability for the family and reduce dependence on energy production.

In The Beginning

There was lead & trace paper