4.181
Architectural Design Workshop - Prefab
Instructor: Joel Turkel
Telephone: 324-5643
Office: 9-224
Send e-mail: turkel@mit.edu
Units: 3-0-6
Level: H
Prerequisites: Permission of instructor
The Prefab Workshop aims to both understand and challenge prefabricated building systems, with particular reference to housing. It will examine the architect’s role and suggest new ways to leverage design capability, existing manufacturing techniques and delivery methodologies. It will ultimately aim to design a new and systemic approach to fulfilling contemporary dwelling needs.
Major themes of the workshop will include:
The architect as product designer. Can the architect consider new methods of practice where he/she creates a design that is then licensed to another party for production? In all other areas of creative endeavor from publishing and music to film and fashion design this is done – why is it so uncommon for architects?
Prefab and the provision of housing. In almost every other field, the capacities of mass production have outstripped the rise of living costs, and yet in housing this has lagged far behind. Why is this? What are we missing? How do we benefit from new manufacturing technologies and delivery methods?
Prefabrication as a means of controlling project outcome. Can prefab offer predictable ways of delivering to clients? In almost every sense, manufacturing offers a way for a designer to control outcome, whether it be cost control, timing control, quality control, etc. How can we use available delivery mechanisms to better realize what we promise clients?
The termwill begin with a brief look at historical precedents, especially in light of the building system development tradition at MIT. It will then examine proposals developed by previous students and the current state of the prefab industry, exploring several solutions and suggested business/practice models.
Students will visit an existing prefab manufacturing plant and see prefabricated homes - both completed and under construction, explore the role of technology in industry, and develop a highly resolved set of design objectives. These objectives will be evaluated based on deliverability, cost, material availability, human resource, technological appropriateness, and sound building science principles. From this the workshop participants will work individually or in small teams to develop new prototype delivery methods that most appropriately leverage the ideas explored/suggested.
The workshop is open to both graduate and undergraduates, and will seek to create a diverse and multidisciplinary team.
For more information, please e-mail Joel Turkel at turkel@mit.edu
