This is a model of a fixed pod that would be located at the edge of a gridded field

This is a model of a fixed pod that would be located at the edge of a gridded field

This model is looking at irrigation that is placed onto an existing irrigation system

This tubular model is looking at a new integrated pivot irrigation system that would be two tubes where the housing would be imbedded into the inner tube.

This model is looking at integrating the housing and pivot irrigation system

This model is looking at integrating many systems with an innovate long span structure 

These sketches are looking at stationary housing that would be located on the edge of gridded field with moving line irrigation moving along the side of the housing

These sketches are looking at what layouts would be best for housing that would be integrated into a pivot irrigation system.

Site Models

I am exploring site layouts right now.  The map is of George, WA showing where the model below is located.  

This model shows two potential layouts of the site plan.  They are explorations at using the arrangement of the permanent (black) buildings to create exterior living space without additional buildings.  The simple wood-screen walls and trees detail the space further.  

The lower version is the most recent.  

Construction Models

These are some initial stabs at site at construction methods for my project.  I am exploring how to site-sensitively build both the permanent infrastructure pieces and the flexible support structures.  

This is a simple wooden screen that provides shade and electricity for campsites.  It can also be used as structure if people want to clip on additional awnings or privacy screens around their living unit.  

The more permanent section will house infrastructure like bathrooms, laundry and kitchens as well as social infrastructure like mail, education and health services.  The thick north wall is made using local straw bales as insulation.  The southern wall is built with glass bottles that are plentiful in the area.  This system will optimize solar heat gain in the cold winter months, while during the summer shading and thermal mass will keep the interior spaces cool.  Solar energy is used to heat water in a simple tube system.  

Concept Models

Sorry these posts are out of order.  This is a concept model that I did earlier in the semester.  

It explores a strategy that is both rooted in place and seasonally flexible.  The black element is permanent while the wooden pieces fluctuate across its threshold.  

Modeling

This is one of the the first site plans that uses the idea of smaller community pockets. The white is the commercial/ work spaces  and community amenities that are spread out through the site.  The Gray are the different housing that open up to both the public corridors and to the semi-private interior courtyard. This design will change and downsize the amount of retail / workspaces.

This is the first run though of two of the housing units. They would be two story with balcony's on the south side  and staggered to create privacy in their balcony's. The lower part of the house opens up to the shared courtyard. The bedrooms would be upstairs and there would be an open plan downstairs. the wood slating was an exploration of a way that siding could be done.

This is the second iteration of the housing units. The work spaces have been downsized and easily accessible from the units. there are four units in this, the tow on the sides and the there is two in the middle chunk. 

There will be some type of barrier to keep the entrances of the house a little more private on the public thoroughfare.

Model Development

The spaces within each home is developed from a central, permanent core.  These cores contain the kitchen, bathrooms, and storage necessary for each unit.

 

These modular floors are then stacked and staggered to blur the distinction between each unit.  Furthermore, they are scalable, allowing for the flexibility necessary to fit within differing site conditions.

Exterior skin is handled through a panel system that conforms to the established dimensional modules of the units.  Each bedroom is designed to be flexible, allowing for one large bedroom or two smaller rooms which may serve different functions.

Midreview

One farmworker struggle is social isolation, due to culture barriers and the geographic segregation that often occurs with farmworker housing.  So rather than struggling to create farmworker resources within the community, provide community resources within the farmworker housing.  Shared use of a service core with kitchen /cafe, library and wifi.  View of the site from the interstate West of George = site as billboard.

Conceptual Modeling