So the time has come in my education when I need to offer a few ideas for a Master’s Thesis Design Project. For a little background, I’m in Pre-thesis this semester, which is intended to be the “planning” semester for the actual design work in Thesis semester which occurs next fall. There is the possibility that I can do work over the summer, as long as I can find committee members who are willing to meet with me over the summer – giving up some potential family/vacation time of their own. My project must have a real estate development component. This could mean doing a hypothetical master plan for a neighborhood, focusing intently on one aspect of the overall plan, or sticking with the development of one building in particular. I believe that if I am dealing with any kind of economic type numbers, I would be good. Pretty broad range there, I know.
So here’s the two big idea’s I’m kicking around:
I’ve been thinking for some time about Samuel Mockbee and the Rural Studio out of Auburn University. For those of you who aren’t aware, my extremely simple – perhaps ignorant – synopsis of his educational philosophy was to involve students in a design build project. Students designed, found funding, and constructed projects for low income families or civic projects located in rural Alabama.
This idea intrigues me for a number of reasons. I’d like to design something with meaning – actual use! These students undoubtedly gain an infinite amount of education in the process of having their designs constructed. Getting creative with materials and finding ways to fund your project can only serve me in my future design efforts. The idea scares the crap out of me for an equal number of reasons, most importantly, that I fear I won’t be able to finish the project an 11 month maximum project timeline and WI’s climate.
My next idea focuses upon redevelopment plans for an area effected by Hurricanes Katrina or Rita. I’d rather not focus on New Orleans, as NOLA is getting a significant amount of press on its own. I like the idea that my proposal may be helpful to a smaller city which cannot afford to fund redevelopment/feasibility studies. However, I don’t know where to begin in a search for a site. I’ve never been to any of those areas.
I need to come up with a list of cities that I would conduct some initial resarch on which would help me narrow the list to a few strong good candidates. I would then do some traveling in Mid March to further investigate each city in person. Thebiggest problem, is how can I narrow down a list when I don’t even have a list to begin with?
So here is where you all come in: Anyone got some city suggestions? Does anyone have suggestions for finding a Samuel Mockbee type recipient (family or civic group) in South Eastern Wisconsin or in a city effected by the Hurricanes? Anyone wanna tell me these are horrible ideas?
Thanks for reading! Jen
Edited 1/24/2006 6:11 pm by Jen
Replies
Keep your focus. You're working on a masters in architecture, not management, business, or social work.
As far as regionally, I say look around you. The northern states have been screwed by federal tax policies for probably over 50 years. Over this time, these states have paid more into federal taxes than have been returned.
IF you were to travel, you'll notice the southern and western states have cleaner, more attractive developments. The northern states have some, but suffer more from sprawl and more costly road maintenance.
Which leads to transportation costs affecting people's budgets and way of life. Many places around the country are rebuilding derilect areas into new cities within a city. They focus more on open air commercial centers of stores, offices, recreation, and residential, thus building a whole new neighborhood. You'll see this in such places like Rochester Hills and E. Lansing, MI as well as Lakewood, CO - the Belmar complex. These new higher density rebuilds reduce the residents transportation costs by having so much all in one location.
Do you plan on relocating after school? Then focus upon styles and strategies used in that climate and region.
Thank you for the reminder to stay focused. While I don't want to put myself in the position of a social worker, it is very important to me to serve my community. This is the reason a Rural Studio or Hurricane rebuilding type project interests me. Whats more, is that I don't feel I need a wacked-out, impress the entire world, I want to be a star project. That isn't me.
I realize that my somewhat doe-eyed perspective, having not traveled south, has its deficiencies. I do not expect to change the world. I do expect, however, to choose a thesis project which defines who I am, at this moment in time, and follows my moral code. Designing a fake project which is simply drawings on paper is not architecture - they are what they are, drawings on paper.
I agree whole heartedly that transportation issues should be at the forefront of consideration by society. Simply building more lanes doesn't get us anywhere.
Thank you for the time you took to respond to my inquiry. I have much to consider as I continue on my journey.
Something else to keep in mind if you follow thru on the idea of a specially designed project for low-income folk.I have seen a couple of these, one done under the sort oif auspices you describe where a class plans the community in unique ways.The end result was a very poorly designed buch of houses that did save some moiney to build, but that are very hard to maintain and live in. Personally., I doubt they will outlive their mortgages. Something like taht does no favor to the inhabitants. It is important to use tried and true building methods, especially for the climate where the project takes place, and not to get too creative assuming that you do anyone a favour if the 'experiment' fails
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Pimpin Gangsta, I finally figured out how to make the attach button work.
See the pic of a home from the Sarah Susanka "Not So Big House" collection.
I told Jen in an email that I wanted a section in our new development to be done like this for singles, singles with a child or two and young marrieds.
Is that a landscape display in the center of the beds, or the community storage location for cane poles?
Edited 1/26/2006 1:05 am ET by txlandlord
I believe that would be a native species landscaping bed. Perhaps planted with prairie plants?
Thanks Jen, as just trying to bring some levity.
"Community storage location for cane poles."
a section in our new development to be done like this for singles, singles with a child or two and young marrieds
Given the strictures under Fair Lending, and the like, your best bet for achieving that may be subtle. Things like a series of cul-de-sacs with a playground as a center (and, say vehicular access from the rear).
For singles & childless couples, decreasing bathroom counts vis-a-vis the bedrooms "encourages" the 'bedrooms' being used as offices, media rooms, etc. Locating them away from playgrounds, but near 'adult' athletic items (gym, spa, aerobics track, etc.) can also help.
Note that you've not said that singles can't live among the kiddies, or kids among the singles; you've just created, hmm, "micro communitees" that suggest a way of life rather than proscribe or restrict. Of course, the rickier part will be in getting bank lenders, sometimes, to mortgage a 2/1.5 or 2+1/1.5 as a house--the "everyone knows" answer is that's a "bad resale" house . . .
Oh yeah, that's a concept I've wanted to push forward a time or two--so it's had some considered thought applied to it. Ding me an email, I may have some more specific-to-concept stuff I can share over to the house.Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)
Of course, the rickier part will be in getting bank lenders, sometimes, to mortgage a 2/1.5 or 2+1/1.5 as a house--the "everyone knows" answer is that's a "bad resale" house . . .
Given typical and normal life situations, your observations may be correct. But, in the life flow of our Church Community, there are singles, singles with children and young marrieds witout kids who have completed our drug and alchohol program.
There is a continual flow of people into the program and many stay on the be a part of the Church. I see this section as an affordable springboard, one that helps people own something and then pass it own (sold) to those coming after as they add a spouse and children.
Another advantage is that we have local bankers that are aware and supportive of our community. In a genuine feasibility study of real life situations here, considering the flow of people, it is entirely feasible. Perhap a great resource for one home loan after another.
Of couse, there is the rental unit option. Not to be exclusive, but they would always be full, without outside marketing.
Oh yeah, that's a concept I've wanted to push forward a time or two--so it's had some considered thought applied to it. Ding me an email, I may have some more specific-to-concept stuff I can share over to the house.
I would be interested in your ideas. I have considered many of the ideas and observations expressed in your post.
Email me [email protected]
That would be a good question to ask over the fence in the fine gardening forums.but I'l;l take a stab at it from my experie3nce which probably doesn't apply here since that looks like a stone ground cover for minimal water useage landscaping. Anyway, There is a method of intensive garden planting that uses a set of poles like that.
You plant a hill of corn in the center. Maybe 8-10 plants.
You place a squash or pumpkin on either side of the corn, sometimes three surronding the corn.
Then you plant pole beans at the outer ring at the base of the poles.The corn grows straight up. The squash vines run out over the ground. The beans follow up the poles. The beans fix nitrogen which the corn neeeds. You can harvest beans all along 'till the corn is ready. You have to step gingerly to reach in and harvest the corn. The pumpkins are ready later in the season. Needs really rich soil to accomplish all this, but the weeding is minimal because once all this gets going, there is no sunshine getting to the soil to germinate any weed seeds.But like i say, all that seems out of place with a stone ground cover.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Wow, and I was just trying to get a small snicker. That gardening concept sounds very interesting. I would like to see it happen.
The point you make is a good one. It serves absolutely no one to have some inital savings which are eaten up over the course of the building's life or to have a "design" which isn't liveable. Of course, my opinion is that such a "design" can't really be called a design - my personal definition for that is "stupid stuff that might look good but doesn't function".
Case in point, the University of Minnesota's College of Architecture and Landscape Architecture recently completed an addition designed by Steven Holl. He might be a big name architect but that addition is crap if you ask me. The lecture pit has completely uncomfortable bent plywood seats which are completely unacceptable to sit in for anything longer than 5 minutes. Part of it's function is to serve as a lecture hall for some of the large introductory courses. One problem is that stadium seating, especially at this particular slope, doesn't lend well to exam taking. Apparently, Holl never considered the issue of whether his architecture should encourage the possibility of cheating. I know, I know, there is an honor code!
I could go on and on with just that one example. But we've all seen cruddy "design". I cannot promise I'll never screw something up. But I can sincerely promise that I will endeavor to do the best job that I can. Maybe that's been Holl's motto over the years....but the example above puts serious doubt in my mind over that one.
For areas hit by Katrina that were devastated, look around Biloxi, MS--Waveland, Ocean Springs, etc.
By the way, someone over at House Chat posed an interesting question about a "type" or "school" of architecture being started in response to the destruction by the hurricanes. Looking at that thread may inspire you too. It was called "New Orleans School of Architecture."
Edited 1/24/2006 7:32 pm ET by Danno
Edited 1/24/2006 7:37 pm ET by Danno
Thanks Danno, for your response. I will certainly do some research on Biloxi, Waveland, and Ocean Springs area. I also appreciate the info on the House Chat discussion. Yikes! I thought Breaktime was addicting......uh-oh.....
What about developing a Master Plan for a Church Community? The Church Community will be associated and primarily for graduates of a Church drug and alchohol rehabilitation program.
Note that many graduates already exist, people who have gone thru the program years ago and joined the Church. In fact, this is the problem, many have gone thru the Church program and did not want to return to their home cities because of their past. Our Church is wanting and in need of housing. In order to make forward steps, we have gone from the original 18 acres the Church / Ministry owned to Church ownership of an adjacent 50 acres. I myself have also bought 100 acre next to the Church's 50.
Being a small Church, running a drug rehab, school and prison outreach program and keeping the Ministry / Church building in repair (old school buildings built in the early 60s) puts a damper on funding. Contributions to the aforementioned community development would certainly qualify as community service indeed, with actual and awesome results seen in the faces and lives of those who receive help by going thru the program.
As a custom homebuilder builder / beginner developer I have planned to work out a master plan for the future project, but normal business commitments, limited funds and my responsibilities as a Church elder limit the time I can devote to the development.
The project is in Hungerford, TX, a rural town about 40 miles from Houston.
If you are interested and for further information please email me: [email protected].
Thank you for taking the time to respond to my post. Your suggestion is exactly the type of suggestion I was looking for - some ideas of things to consider. Until I ask, I don't really know what is out there, right?
I'll be emailing you privately.
>>>I've been thinking for some time about Samuel Mockbee and the Rural Studio out of Auburn University<<<
Wow. I just had a conversation with someone yesterday about Sam. I did some work for him years ago (87?) in Jackson, MS. He had a lot to do with some of my goals in construction today. One of my all-time favorite designs of his used license plates as siding.
I think you're barking up the right tree. How about a 4-entity project comprised of a needy family, developer, tradespeople, and the community in general.
Possibilities...
-Identify the family through a church or some [other] charitable organization.
-Find a residential home needing to be removed by a developer. For that matter, find a developer.
-Seek participation and free offer of the home to the family & moving costs by the developer. Community goodwill and publicity goes a long way.
-Somebody needs to donate property & foundation.
-Find specific trades to offer services for free to spruce-up, remodel, add, repair, etc.
-If you turn this into a corporate advertising, tax benefit (most of these entities don't need the benefits), scenario, it might fly.
It will take some serious salesmanship and management. But it could work.
As a thesis, it might be a little weak since your design is limited to the existing home, but there's your challenge as a designer. To modernize a home for someone who can't buy a home. It has a "green" component (salvaging materials), a community component (sharing the wealth of our time, finances, and consideration, and a government component (tax benefits of charitable contributions).
Once you've identified a house, you can likely move someone into the home in probably 3 months or less. The hard part is everything else.
a.
What was it like working for Mockbee?
I am a fan of his work, very cool stuff his firm did. I like the glass walls made from old windshields.
"What was it like working for Mockbee?"Looking back I'm realizing it was pretty cool. His studio was like one of those beatnik bars in the old surf movies with artsy types (hipster dorks) and practical guys (the bikers) all over the place.I was on my way to becoming the next Frank Wright and did some work on some of his stuff.At the time, he was very hot and in all the magazines. But, the cool part was what he wanted to do for others and therefore was doing for architecture itself. He was very down to earth.I left after that year and ski-bummed in Aspen. I kinda lost the whole scene after that.a.
Sounds like a nice experience. You probably saw much more there than at a big corporate firm. Has anybody filled his shoes?
"Has anybody filled his shoes?"...his boots? He often work work boots. There was a bit of a trend around Jackson of guys wearing boots.I doubt anyone has taken his place. I'm completely out of architecture so I wouldn't really know.a.
A man named Andrew Freer is now leading the Rural Studio after Sambo's death. I don't know a whole lot about the fate of Rural Studio post Sambo....I recently watched a documentary which was produced in the years just before his death so it talks very little about Freer's vision for the Studio.
Thanks Jen, I will do a search on him.
What school are you attending BTW.
I did my undergraduate degree at the University of Minnesota. I am working on my Master's degree at the University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee. Here comes my blatant shpeeel for UW-Milwaukee. It is a great school with a much more practical application type philosophy to education than Minnesota's more philosophical cirriculum. I left MN feeling like I didn't know much at the end of four years. Milwaukee's undergraduates don't realize the level of education they are getting in comparison. But...to each their own, right?
It was my first employer who introduced me, not literally, to Sam Mockbee. He stayed in the back of my mind for a year or two until the filmographer (I apologize if that is the incorrect term) for a documentary on the Rural Studio came to UW-Milwaukee with a showing of the film. I've been mulling over how to incorporate that idea into my thesis project for many years now, both consciously and subconsciously.
I'd love to be back in school again. I went to Cooper, which was completely philosophical, but a great place none the less.
IdahoDon speaks from valuable experience, however, I don't agree that you need to totally focus on what you want to do with your career, at least not at this juncture. If you haven't already, read "House" by Tracy Kidder. The architect in the story did not find his calling until he was nearly 40 and already through a couple of successful careers. You have plenty of time to figure it out, and it's ok to take forks in the road as they present themselves.
You read my mind. I've been trying to think of a way to get this thesis to turn into more of an "actual" project. I've worked in two firms while working my way through school and real projects interest me so much more than the hypothetical projects we are assigned in school. Because in the real world, there are more people interacting than myself and an instructor. But everyone here already knows this fact.
While I am interested in being involved in the construction aspect, I know that there would be WAY too much that I don't know. That's part of the learning experience I want to obtain from this.
I'm going to have to figure out a way to get in contact with some local charitable organizations. Your suggestions help me to know my thought process isn't too far off base. Now I have to convince the school (and others) that this can be done in about 11 months.
Although, I'm living in NC, as a Mississippi native I will gladly do whatever I can to help you. My contacts are old, old, old, but I can think of one guy who was pretty close to Sam that would likely be a great help.If you go that route.I would enjoy hearing what comes of all this as you develop it.a.
Jen -
Getting into a design/build project would be the best thing you could ever do. In my opinion (and I've done both), the best designers are those who have a good idea of how to translate their ideas into reality.
-"If you turn this into a corporate advertising..."
Good idea.....What would help here is if she can get a national magazine involved. If a mag will run the story, and list sources of "donated" materials etc, a lot of companies will go for the idea.
Have done this a few times over the years. Granted it is not as easy as it used to be, but the key is the "angle" (disaster relief/disaster proof const/community involvement/urban re-vitalization) she chooses, and finding a complementary publication whose audience the "angle" hits home with.
dwell magazine might be a source.dwellmag.com
Edited 1/26/2006 10:18 am ET by TGNY
I just received my latest edition of Architectural Record Magazine, March '06. There is a short feature article titled "Keeping the Spirit Alive" which discusses the Rural Studio and what they've been up to over the last four years since Samuel Mockbee passed away. I thought you'd be interested....
Jen
Mockbee has a house going up in Sagaponic, a community in the Hamptons in eastern Long Island. It is a modernistic take on Seaside (the po-mo community developed in Florida in the 80's).http://easthamptonstar.com/20060209/real3.htm
Thanks for the link to the news story. I wasn't aware of that development.
Jen, this is the link to the actual project.http://www.housesatsagaponac.com
Well, the project is coming along nicely. Today I returned home to cold WI from spending a week down in hot and humid Texas with txlandlord and his family. This was my second trip down (I was down over Spring Break for a few days) and I'm already missing him, his family, and the church community.
We had time to meet with a county commisioner, got some preliminary rough drafts for street layouts/lot arrangements created, began putting together a market survey, and managed to squeeze in a lot of fun in there like getting some sun, seeing some fireworks, holding the cutest lil cowgirl in Tejas, and, of course, ate lots of good food.
Things are moving along....
Thanks for keeping us posted! Sounds like you are well on your way. Best wishes!
I know some of you might be interested to know what's been going on behind the scenes for my thesis project. As of January 19th, I'm officially done with all of the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee's requirements for completing graduate school. They even decided to give me a diploma already. How about that?!? It was definitely a long haul getting here.
I found this process (thesis semester, intimately learning about my client and a small part of Texas, etc.) to be quite enlightening. I truly enjoyed having a project that focused on a real life situation. I belive the final product is a good interpretation of the needs (financial, social, environmental) of the community of which txlandlord is a member. There are, of course, some difficulties to implementing this particular development strategy - the most daunting of which appears to be handling sewage.
I've mailed two packages to txlandlord composing all of the design work and final presentation materials I created over the course of the last semester. I decided to leave the decision of what to post to BT vs. keep private up to him. He's hinted at getting around to posting some info to bring this post full circle.
I'd like to thank everyone for their words of encouragement, reality checks, and even for a few critical viewpoints regarding my abilities to develop a successful master development plan. I belive working through this process has allowed txlandlord to take a few steps forward - regardless of whether my design proposal is the one which is actually implemented. Perhaps txlandlord will come along and have more to say on the topic.
Jen
It's great to hear you're giving back to the community. Keep it up and you'll meet many people that will help your career along the way.
Having said that, I'd suggest a different approach, based on the 4 years spent as a grad assistant for 5 profs and the impression the entire process has had on me.
From the faculty that I worked under in grad school, they would say you're putting the cart before the horse. First choose what it is you want to do with your career, then develop a project that specifically supports that. Prior to graduation I wouldn't have agreed, but now I think they were on to something.
You're in a highly competitive world and every project should support your professional goals. Who do you want to work for? What do you want to build? At this point you really need to figure that out if it hasn't been done already.
Gotta go.
Best of luck,
Don
Hi Don, thanks for your response.
I don't know if you wanted some answers to your questions, but here goes:
I don't know who I want to work for. I know I like small offices because I am able to hear everything that goes on in regards to a project. I enjoy doing both residential and commercial work because I enjoy the different personalities that both types of clients offer.
I once told my mentor, who later turned into my first employer, that I felt the need to "help" people. His response was that there are many ways to go about "helping" people. That it didn't mean I had to be employed by Habitat for Humanity or give work away for free. He taught me that I can earn money and do some selective charitable projects at the same time. The firm I'm at currently is much like that of my first employers'. A small firm which does both residential and commercial work and we do selective charitable projects.
So that is where I'm at right now. Knowing I want my thesis project to mean something beyond paper. I need to make a difference for someone besides the paper making guys.
Wow. Both ideas sound great. Mind some additional thoughts?
Mockbee's studio is, IMO, the best studio example for future students. It combines design and actual construction, for a very noble cause. However, it would be hard to duplicate by one person. Sam Mockbee had a lot of years to develop it, and a lot of students contribute to the process each year. And unless you had that kind of support/knowledge prior to your thesis, there'll be a big learning curve.
Katrina was the kind of event that will be studied for years. It's a great opportunity, regardless of your focus, to focus on a number of communities that need help. However again, it's a big topic. And it's getting a lot of attention right now. Anything you do might be overshadowed by what a lot of other people are already doing.
A possible suggestion would be to focus on an area that really needs help, but doesn't have the audience/support it needs to improve. Don't have any actual examples for you, but you might try researching the Rose Fellowship at the Enterprise Foundation and getting some information. The Rose Fellowship provides 2 to 3-year grants to individuals (usually architects or related disciplines) who hook up with a non-profit organization to improve an area of need. I'm not suggesting getting a grant for your thesis, but it's a place to get some information and possibly even contact some of the past winners. The added bonus is once your thesis is completed, you'd have a good shot at a future grant. The odds are good; about 35 applications a year, and they pick 5-6 proposals. And they expect real results (i.e., actual buildings). 2 areas they're focusing on are historical preservation and green building technology, but you can interpret either broadly.
You've got lots of good suggestions here in this forum, hope some of them are of help. Keep us all updated on your progress. :)
I fully comprehend the years of development which Sam Mockbee and the Rural Studio have undergone. My original post states clearly that one of my biggest fears would be to not complete my thesis project. To get halfway there and realize there is no way I can complete it. Or find the client, get the design down, and flop on obtaining the required materials. Or virutally any other scenario imaginable. Even students at the Rural Studio have been known to work months beyond their graduation date to complete their project. And that is WITH the kind of support and knowledge Sambo brought to the program.
You also hit upon my concerns for projects related to either of the Hurricanes - no doubt many of the cities are being innundated by information from local, established firms.
___edited to add: And even with the plans many cities are unable to move forward due to funding/insurance issues. These are all things which, no doubt, require much knowledge which I do not possess and which would be difficult issues to delve into while trying to also produce a cohesive master plan within the course of 11 months.___end edit.
Your suggestion, which I am glad to consider, to contact the Rose Fellowship is fantastic. I will certainly look into it more.
Thank you for taking the time to respond. I'll keep you updated!
Edited 1/24/2006 10:35 pm by Jen
I had a lot of work to do in the past two weeks figuring out my direction. I owe a big thanks to everyone who took the time to read my initial inquiry and respond. You were interested in progress....
Over the course of several rather long emails (sorry John!) with txlandlord and about two weeks of debate between me and my prof regarding different project angles, I have decided to put my thesis effort into his project.
His project spoke to me in ways that other projects didn't. Perhaps because it is a more intimate relationship than me working for some "unknown" client. Perhaps because he's a very convincing kinda guy when it comes to something that captures his heart. Perhaps because I can't say no to an entire church of parishioners praying for me. Or maybe it's the temptation of pool boys and daiquiris. haha....that last one was a joke between John and I. Just had to see how many of you are really reading this.
John's project stands somewhere in the middle of the daunting task of actually doing the very first Rural Studio-esque (is that even a word? did I just make up my frist word? I can be an archy now!) project from UW-Milwaukee and the opposite end of the spectrum being that it is a paper project. Hopefully, if all goes the way we'd like and with a few blessings from The higher power, John finds a useful, buildable community development project for his church and those who are working their way down the path of recovery.
I'll post periodically as we continue down my pre-thesis path. This semester is mostly about doing research, obtaining data/maps, studying precedents, etc. Doing all the leg work so that when I start designing I have a handbook of information which (hopefully) can guide me successfully. The real fun - designing - will begin over the summer.
I would love to know the status. Maybe, depending on location, timing, etc., I could swing a hammer for a day or two.a.
It is quite a generous offer you have put forth to me and to John. We will undoubtedly keep everyone posted as the semester progresses.
I'd love to hear some Sambo stories!
Be careful with that Txlandlord guy. I've heard rumors about architecture students mysteriously disappearing around his place. He lures them in with these big promises of altruistic projects and 'making the world a better place,' then nobody sees them again.
And he's also very cagey about the feed for his hog farm. ;)
Seriously, your project sounds great. If you're thinking it might be a good idea, check with the Enterprise Foundation/Rose Fellowship and see whether your plans with Txlandlord might apply. A grant from them would allow you to continue after graduation, and you'd get paid to do it. Much, much better than the typical office drone experience most students find themselves in after graduation. And all for an excellent cause.
Best of luck to you and, again, keep everybody here posted on your progress.
Really wanna help the displaced?
Think about their primary housing problems: supply shortage of skilled labor and materials, (and high prices from same).
How about designing some sort of modular structure that can be partially mass assembled offsite (where labor and materials are not in shortage), and shipped onsite for final assembly. I do not mean typical trailer homes. I mean 'real' homes of site-built quality (or better) with good design produced using efficient mass-production techniques. I have seen information about similar types of housing built in Scandinavia. High quality structures with good design behind them. As I recall, they had incredible thermal efficiency due to the design of the attachment mechanism and seals.
Another approach might be an 'assemble by number' home. All the components are precut and largely prefinished offsite, then assembled onsite with a fraction of the labor (and presumedly less-skilled labor).
One thing that many structures will have in common is the need to sit upon some type of suspended frame or piers. Perhaps design a bolt-together modular frame that could be assembled quickly onsite. Perhaps the components could be adaptible enough to support a number of different footprints, and perhap have pre-fab pier enclosure panels that meet codes, provide utility space, and decent aesthetics.
Just some crazy ideas for some functional solutions to a very large problem.
I have had a lot of exposure to architects, and frankly, many of them 'starve'. For many, their downfall is thinking too much about the form at the expense of function. Well, that, and a lack of business sense and financial aptitude.
Best of luck.
Wow, so many good business, career and community help ideas out there from BTers for Jen.
I am truly impressed with the ideas and the heart of many Bters. I reckon we are pretty good guidance / career counselors.
While I would like for Jen to cast all away in pursuit on my interest as posted, I would certainly not want her to miss out on the best opportunity to meet her goals.
many of them 'starve'. For many, their downfall is thinking too much about the form at the expense of function. Well, that, and a lack of business sense and financial aptitude.
Now, in all fairness, you can't dog people for what they've never been taught. Then, there's the problem of an archy's office being just loaded down with capital & overhead, meaning you have to have a business plan of some sort just to keep the lights on (or, you can just "guess" how to do it, and hope for the best).
Price out some things, like a subscription to Sweet's, and you'll need Means for const data, and you need to be a member of all the local builder/contractor boards & organizations, drafting software, a big printer, fax machine, receptionist, book keeper, high speed internet access, laptop PC to go with the one at the office (second copy of CAD s/w), an open account for printing (letter & bluelines) and enough square footage for an office, aconference room, a set of flat files, and storage for 'old' projects . . . it all adds up quick.
And that's jsut the business bare bones of it. Then there's licensing, continuing education, state endorsements, all sorts of personal expenses they don't really have a class on in the years you spend in archy school.
Add in those folks who are much more grounded in "vision" than in balanced books, and yes, that's like signing a framing contract and never having owned a hammer.
You want to add in everybody and their brother all saying "Ya don't need no fancy architek, they's don't know nuttin, anyways . . . " Almost get more respect as a carpenter--after all, that's jsut swingin' a hammer, ain't it <sigh> . . . Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)
"Now, in all fairness, you can't dog people for what they've never been taught. Then, there's the problem of an archy's office being just loaded down with capital & overhead, meaning you have to have a business plan of some sort just to keep the lights on (or, you can just "guess" how to do it, and hope for the best)."
You are right, the training regimen includes nothing on the business side, which in a way means minting architects without the tools to succeed in their profession.
Really just pointing out failure factors. Wife worked for Archy trade group for many years. I even got involved with a few events and such. Get all their trade rags.
When studied, the top failure factors were determined to be related to business management, not design abilities.
to be related to business management, not design abilities
And ask which one the framer is most likely to complain about <g> . . .
It's scary stuff--a framer who can't make that biz management leap to being a contractor, can "go back" to being a framer. An archy, though; it's "D'ya wan' fries w' 'at?"
<sigh>Just too many days it'd seem simpler to lie and say I worked in the oilpatch ('cause nobody believe that I had a job as honest as bordello piano player . . . )Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)
Business trainig / financial planning and management should be a part of any professional training.
Since learning framing , and the abilities to read plans, I have thought that a part of arch trainging should be spent working as / with a frame carpenter. Thoughts?
If someone told me they wanted to be a builder, I would tell them to train as frame carpenter first for several years. The things you learn as a framer can be applied to so much. Selah.
Selah is a Hebrew word, found often in the Book of Psalms. It means "pause and think of that".
that a part of arch trainging should be spent working as / with a frame carpenter. Thoughts?
Some validity in that, at least to me--but then I learned trade skills as a nipper, too. Makes it one of thoes things easy to madate in the general, and much harder to achieve in the specific.
Sure, a couple of years practical experience in construction work would likely be nothing but a boon to the ovearl profession of architecture (It would be nice to never have to explain the flashing details of brick veneer to only-been-to-school interns; it would be nicer still to not have to teach them the fundamentals of drafting those details, too . . .)
Theoretically, the NCARB requirements of X year's schooling, and Y year's interning are 'supposed' to insure that entry-level archys are grounded in enough trade knowledge to work in a usefull way. The evidence to the contrary (or in support) can be legion.
I'm of two minds on trade skills being mandatory. Ask me two hours into Monday I might feel differently <sigh>Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)
While meeting with a client tonight I remembered an interesting house in Steamboat Springs, Colorado (or was it Vail?). The Habitat chapter there has to built on marginal land due to the high cost of normal building lots. The lots are usually vertical, with a small house snaking up a steep slope.
The house had a high performance shell, radiant heat, and was built with long-term durability in mind. Very cool, in an equally interesting place.
Anyway, it is interesting how marginal lots can be developed for low income family dwellings, often resulting in unique homes that are pretty cool.
Musta been Steamboat. There are no 'marginal' lots in Vail. Even the vetical property is considered prime.;)
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
I think you're right. :-)
Hi ya,
Reading all the posts here, and thought that since you got $$ worth of good advice, you could still use an extra 2 cents.
Ref Piffin's post, he's right. For a new design approach to work, it has to work in the real world. In the late 80's I did some design work (gratis) for Habitat. It involved a series of 8 designs that were for low income, and were detailed to be built using either "panelized" construction, or a propierty system of "reinforced foam core panels" over which shotcrete was applied to both sides. Our designs were for a Habitat development in Miami (1991).
They bulit about 150 homes in Tiajuana, Mexico (1988-89) with UNSKILLED labor (in I think a few months) using the ICS (Insteel Construction Systems) foam panels.
Great little houses. Still got the plans. Here's a sample
Edited 1/26/2006 10:27 am ET by pickings
Sorry, floor plan did not upload the first time.
Here goes.....
Sorry, apparently TIFF's don't work.
Here goes
I had classmates in their forties getting their B.Arch's
It's a good age, you're almost smart enough to know how dumb you are <g>.
Phillip Johnson wasn't licensed until he was 60, IIRC. Didn't stop him from working another 20 years (for better or worse <g>).
I think he worked another 40 years, given he just died at 100 recently.
given he just died at 100 recently
Saw that, but I also want to remember seeing a bio on TV, that he had "semi retired" from his office about when he hit 80-something, and full retired about 90.Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)
I know this isin't exactly what you're requesting, but you might consider the problems with melting perfafrost and tundra under existing infrastructure, and how to build on an increasingly semi-solid area. Might even expand this to roadway infrastructure and impact on utilities. Old Soviet-era structures and methodology may be valuble. Could make squillions of $$.
Dealing with the weather? Monumental tasks paying big bucks.
While your at it, do some R&D on air conditioning all of South Texas.