_"Copycat Workmanship" - good affordabe modular housing does not have to look identical or cookie cutter, but can have identical bones and pieces that can be put together in interesting ways to fit an individual or family lifestyle.
_ Affordable housing does not have to be high-rise 1960s "utopian" which was (and is) actually for from utopian - high crime, squalor, run down. Green spaces left as park and playground sits empty and unattended due to crime. Corbusier said that a building should not be so high that a mother cannot recognize her child playing below. The anonymity involved in living in these places does not make a good living environment. High rise housing will not work in rural areas where poverty is high.
_Trailer parks allow for a sense of community, but these are not safe in many areas where tornadoes, hurricanes, or floods may be prevalent. These areas are usually on sub-prime land, near highways, away from cities, in flood plains, in low-lying areas. Usually the land is not part of the trailer ownership, and trailers depreciate in value.
_Modular housing can be built in a safe environment on the ground, indoors in heated or air conditioned spaces, by skilled labor whil do not have to drive miles a day to different job sites. Pieces can be completed quickly with no inclement weather delays. Mechanical, electrical and plumbing can all be organized and complete for each piece before making its way to the site. Many material deliveries to the site aren't required, as mass amounts can be delivered and stored safely at the interior site. Builders would no longer need to carry as much insurance or worry about material or equipment theft.
Joe's response:
_Dwell home competition as a resource/model of how high design standards can be achieved (also control craftsmanship)
_What does the term "modular" housing mean to people - poor, low-quality. What can change this initial notion?
_How do locals perceive the modular idea moving into community? Local govt intervention needed as well?
_Ways to implement green design/off-the-grid principles to help reduce the cost of ownership?
Rick's response:
_highly technical - research methods which have worked and not worked. Both from a technical detail and design/aesthetic p.o.v.
_what are the economic factors involved?
_Types of governmental funding for research/implementation?
_Design competitions?
_Can you pursue this project type with current firm? If not, are the interested?
Tim O's response:
_One thing to ask yourself is how do we minimize urban sprawl which is reducing our natural environment exponentially?
_Could you participate in the design competitions for the Habitat for Humanity house?
For reference: Wired Magazine and Dwell
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
Is the intent to be lower cost, but higher quality housing or pre-built housing that is moved to a site? Pre-manufactuered housing has taken great strides as of late that come in two or even three sections. Once assembled on site look very similar to stick framed housing.
Let's go to a statement of moral principle. Every person deserves to own their own home? Every person deserves to live in a comfortable home? Every person deserves to be able to create their own home to suit their beliefs and needs? Those are three really different starting points. Which is closest to yours? Or do you have a different moral principle underneath your interests?
Post a Comment