Week 4 | Class Tasks

My matrix (in dot points) |

Sun

Toggle | Certain solar panels flip up when a set voltage is reached creating a pattern

Incremental | A series of wooden panel shades fold half way to allow sunlight in when a certain amount of light is detected. Opens whole way when a threshold amount of light is detected.

Infinitesimal | A shade opens and closes in proportion to the amount of light coming in through the windows. A series of shades open out to create a pattern.

Wind

Toggle | Windows on either side of a hallway is opened/closed when a certain wind speed is reached allowing for efficient airflow when necessary.

Incremental | Windows in a room opens and closes 1/4, 1/2, all the way when a certain wind range is reached to allow for controlled wind into the room.

Infinitesimal | Walls slide in and out in proportion creating an opening on either side of a hallway for the most effective airflow according to wind direction and speed

Rain

Toggle | When moisture is detected a gull wing roof closes automatically.

Incremental | An awning automatically expands outwards halfway when light rain is detected and all the way when heavy rain is detected.

Infinitesimal | A series of panels opens out in proportion to create a pattern and shield from rain according to direction and heaviness of rain.

Storyboard |

Sun Toggle

Wind Infinitesimal

 Rain Infinitesimal

Grasshopper (attempt) |

Will need to play around with it a bit more later on!

Import into Rhino

I'm definitely no expert in Rhino & Grasshopper. Will have to put a bit more effort into this one!

PS. Tasks for today will be uploaded a bit later.

Project 2 | Data Dependency | Solar Digits

So here is the general design :)

Later I'll add more details on how it'll work and give my shapes some thickness!

So to sum it up |

Certain solar panels will pop up to form the current temperature in degrees           
(perhaps only changing every 15 minutes or so if temp changes)

               
Also the panels will show the solar energy storage level + rain water tank level.
Triangular flaps will show direction of rain water running down roof.
**Might add a water cycle system to create a constant movement of the flaps

Inspiration | 

www.aliexpress.com

My Design |

Breakdown of Concept + Design

So to keep things simple I've broken down this brief into two parts.

Theoretical 

- How is the concept of home integrated into the design  

- How it relates to the area of disaster

Practical 

- Can it be transported in one ISO 20ft container?

- Is it cost effective to build and replicated to accommodate for the hundreds that have been displaced in my case

So in terms of theory I imaged myself as someone in the Philippines flood aftermath and what the situation would be. Nothing created would bring back what is lost but how can I provide a design that would put these people a little bit more at ease and provide them some of peace of mind. 

Coming from that angle I had put small concrete blocks to raise the structure to help prevent any after effects. My initial design was silly 1m blocks which were way too high and don't fit in the ISO container for transportation. My final one is 35cm blocks - enough to create a safe gap from the ground without being  too clumsy.

Also my main take on it is - anything that will make their life (dwellers) easier I'll incorporate whether it's easier access (simple open spaces and slightly wider doors), supports (for the less able, injured from disaster etc) and easy to use and reach design (e.g cupboards with bottom handles, cubes that can be used as steps)

Other adjustments made  

- ramp folds out further to create a more suitable shallower ramp.

- front door is widened for easier access

- shelf has been made more compact to allow for twin bed configuration (from the detachable beds)

- less luxurious feel (walls are simple colours pale brown + white, simple taps and shower)

- use of lighter colours to create more of a homely feel that the dwellers of Manila can associate with

- window guards added to create a solid sense of security

- overall design more simplified (e.g. less lights, less general clutter)

In terms of practical I had to constantly make sure things can be packed and transported in the container. The ramp is designed with large hinges which allow it to be folded up and unfolded easily. When everything is folded up the ramp will only add 12cm to the container (the outside rail is within the ramp thickness). The small concrete blocks are small enough to be packed and tied down inside the open corridor space.

Practical things added 

- the bedroom wall (unused space) I've added a hanging rack for clothes.

- kitchen I've added hooks for utensils (fridge was reconfigured to open the other way for convenience.

**For more on concepts & pictures refer to the presentation board and previous interim post on the blog

Presentation Board (from interim)

https://www.dropbox.com/s/w07moinp1nu8oii/Presentation%20Board.pdf

Dimensions

Final Design | Exploded View + File (One more post coming up)

So I've spent the whole day redrawing some of the components and grouping them with the final adjustments to make an exploded view.

My goal is to make things as easy as possible for anybody to understand. Hopefully I've done that :)
One more post with comments + plans/sections after this.

Dropbox Link
https://www.dropbox.com/s/7lra403sc6iwcvu/Final%20exploded%203%20Chris%20Lau%20z3465726.skp

Exploded View

Adjustments

So my main feedback from the interim was less on gimmicky space saving items + a less luxurious design.

Other things to change:

Wider doors
Smaller shelf (to accommodate for my possible twin bed configuration)
More shallow ramp

Other minor details are being adjusted.
Final design + comments coming soon :)

Rectangle House | Final Design

Dropbox Link

https://www.dropbox.com/s/audfow0kni3dsxv/Rectangle%20house%20-%20Chris%20Lau%20z3465726.skp

Please 'unhide' the hidden walls to see the whole design.

Presentation Board
https://www.dropbox.com/s/w07moinp1nu8oii/Presentation%20Board.pdf