SOME OTHER STRUCTURES |
DH1
After
brief attempt two years ago to start to work with SIP's or other
lightweight insulated systems, I had redirected my own work to
the use of digital design of my structural models. This allowed
a higher level of detail, more rapid realization, and the ability
to increase scale easily.
I
have had one DH1 (above) made full-size and it was assembled
twice for exhibitions last year. It's intended for a location
in Tiblisi, but is currently stored here in L.A. on a pallet.
The
DH1 is only one of several designs I have been exploring during
this period. Four of the other models are shown at left. They
are quite a variety of different interpretations of the same
geometry. Most of them are just as valid when it comes to something
also described as "transitional housing units".
Most
of these "houses", as well as most of all of the other
work I do, are done with slotted plywood, more specifically router
cut slots in sustainable "Finland Birch Plywood" describing
generally an exterior grade of (resin coated) solid birch plywood
from the Baltic regions of northern Europe.
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What
is of value about the DH is:
It
is modular (intra modular) with smaller pieces that can be handled
without cranes or other means. It snaps together without fasteners
or other hardware, nothing to lose, less complexity in manufacturing
and design.
It
is strong but flexible, the plywood is incredible, just look
at the furniture. This means that it is very safe in repeat earthquakes,
but it does need to be tied down for wind etc. by some means.
Designed
with a structural floor on four pier points for use in difficult
environments. The membrane and insulation are expected to be
of indigenous materials, canvas, straw, etc. tied to jamb elements.
In a warm island climate just a rain fly might suffice.
What
there is is made with quality materials. This is of value to
the recipients. It provides something tangible for the future
that they can build into their lives.
It
is intra modular. It was designed to protect, the walls wrap
around it like an enveloping membrane, they do not reach out
to additional modules like the other structures.
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 SS-01
model |
The DH turned
out to be a very Zen sort of design, very pleasing to look at.
It would make a fantastic backyard studio or a therapy room in
a holistic health center or something similar in office applications.
SS-01
About these
other structures:
They
are inter modular, that is the modules are designed to interconnect
with each other. They are all based on the same geometrical relationships
of a checkerboard of cubes. There are two orientations, one that
is hexagonal, one that is cubic. There are two basic types of
structures, one all panels, one with added frame parts. In addition
to the DH1, only a cubic version has been built full-size so
far (the SS-01), an all panel system.
When the panels get big, there are stiffeners. It is a three
room group of 370 square feet, below.
All
of the designs get realized in model form generally at 2"
scale (1:6) from the same drawings the full-size structures are
cut from. The hexagonal house variations are realized only in
models.
There
is also a full-size cube from the SS-01 system assembled in the
studio, I am attaching a photo related to the installation of
it (photo Nana Tchitchoua).
The
focus on seeing what I could do with the digital design and production
of the plywood sheet systems paid off handsomely for me, for
as soon as I finished the "Trinity" model (below) I
went back to thick panel systems and made immediate advances.
This material is still in its infancy and I must save its discussion
for another day.
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2007
Gregg Fleishman