Tuesday, 31 May 2011

Living Homes - Modular, Mass Customisation

 Featuring projects by Kieran and Timberlake, these homes show off the potential of modularity and mass customisation.

http://www.livinghomes.net/primer.html

Wednesday, 25 May 2011

BIM - Some Useful Links


Located within Autodesk's website, these video links provide a valuable insight into why BIM is becoming such a powerful tool within the construction industry.

BIM: Value at Every Stage

Innovating with BIM

Sustainable cities

An Energy Efficient Future

Monday, 23 May 2011

Draft - Case Studies Research

A quick presentation to run over key case studies which are to be focussed on in my case studies chapter

Saturday, 21 May 2011

Scania Mass Customisation

This diagram shows the options that customers can choose from to match their specific needs.

Friday, 20 May 2011

Mass Customisation - Selection + Supply Chain Diagram

This diagram simplifies the mass customisation structure of many companies, such as Dell, Scania, and 121 Time - a Swiss Watch company.

F1 Car - Breakdown of Components

The Formula 1 Car is a great example in terms of disassembly, where the heirarchy between component modules and sub-assemblies are designed to maximise maintainability. There strong variations in component longevity, ranging from a set of tyres/wheels, which can last 1 qualifying session, to an engine of chasis which can last up to a season. Although this is the most extreme in terms of engineering, the same theories are applied constantly, throughout the automotive, shipping and aircraft industries.

Source: http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/bmw_f107_2007.jpg

Some Interesting Points - The Costs of DFD

"Design and procurement detailing - It is likely that initially the design phase will take longer and therefore be more costly. This is always the case as new practices develop and take hold. Reused materials can often be more expensive as reconditioning them has taken time.

Higher premium on materials/components - For similar reasons to the design and procurement phase taking longer, there is likely to be a higher cost for materials and components initially. As manufacturers begin to address the demand for new products with fixings and fasteners that facilitate deconstruction they will recoup the sunk development costs with premiums on new and innovative products and materials. In time as the cost will decrease as competition increases. There is also a financial disincentive for manufacturers to produce materials that can be used indefinitely as they will not be benefiting from repeat business. It may be that manufacturers adopt different philosophies to the supply of building products and materials, and in fact adopt a leasing model rather than a sales model."

source: http://yourdevelopment.org/factsheet/view/id/54#articlekeycost

First Light - Complete Time Lapse - Construction + Assembly First Trial

This video provides a full break down into how the modules for first light were constructed. The video reveals that a mix of assembly and traditional construction methods were used. It clearly shows the heirarchy of elements, components and sub-assemblies.


First Light - On Site Time Lapse

This video is very helpful, providing understanding into how the building is assembled and disassembled.


Wednesday, 18 May 2011

Case Study Relevance Diagram


This diagram evaluates how each of my research problems are addressed in terms of design solutions that were proposed within the literature review. Each design solution is then matched to an appropriate casy study/design precedent.

Disassembled Old-School Clock

Artist Todd McLellan has produced a great range of photos which explore disassembly. The amount of components indicates a high level of complexity, i wonder if before everything was pulled apart there was a heirarchy of sub components, components and elements? If this is what a clock looks like, then imagine a typical 3 bedroom house!

Source: http://www.huhmagazine.co.uk/images/uploaded/disassembly_01.jpg

Kieran and Timberlake - Loblolly House 2






Key points discussed:

Off the Shelf Extrusions + Traditional timber structure
Catergorised each element
Hybrid system - allows large spans to be created
Modified connectors + custom fabricated connectors for better structural performance
Smart cartridges - floor and ceiling panels which are pre loaded full of tech (services, wiring, communications)
Blocks - 3 main blocks - bathroom and mechanical room - fabricated offsite with the equipment in, full finished
Dumb cartridges - 2 storey panels with windows, insulation and skin installed and plugged onto structure
70% off site built
6 weeks onsite assembly + 5-6 weeks in factory (simultaneous construction)
BIM modelled allowed certainty for prefab to occur, otherwise would not have had the design confidence


source: http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/15.01/images/animation2.gif








Kieran and Timberlake - Loblolly House - Modular, Prefab, Disassembly

Key Aspects discussed:

Light contact with the earth
Modelled entirely within BIM, where the confidently resolved all key issues and clashes
Bosch aluminium extrusions
Integrated assemblies of each element
Key idea was to establish a scaffold based system - flexible and strong
Digital fabrication techniques utilised 3D model for accuracy
Interesting challenge - taking high tolerance bosch strut and the interface that with low tech wooden piles
Control tolerance and add accuracy from the ground up (timber piles to aluminium frames)
integration of leading edge technology and scope - to find a better more efficient way to build
Everything is accessible and simple on site = easy and stress free



Tuesday, 17 May 2011

121 Time - Custom Made Watches - Mass Customisation Crazy

the image below display a TINY sample of the customisation options offered to consumer. Incredible opportunity, however quite overwhelming. Can see why many people have said that mass customisation can be stressful for the customer!



Source: https://configurator.121time.com/presentation/121time.lzx?lzr=swf8&lzt=html&languageId=1&topLevelFilter=230

Davis - The Future of Mass Customisation

Why Mass Customization Fails

http://mass-customization.blogs.com/mass_customization_open_i/2008/03/guest-article-w.html

a useful link to further criticisms on mass customisation,

Scania - Mass Customization to the Core

Scania is a great example of a company which has structured there business to focus on mass customisation, where every customer can customise their truck/bus to suit their every need. The image below shows a list of the major components which customers can select from to create their own bespoke truck design. In terms of customisation, customers are limited to the mass produced components that Scania offer, they do not typically make totally bespoke elements.

Source: http://www.scania.com/products-services/trucks/main-components/#

PREBUILT - Australian Prefab and Modular Company

http://www.prebuilt.com.au/index.php

The company supplies various "standard" kit homes, which are modular and low risk for the client.

Some of their work was showcased on Grand Designs Australia, Season 1, where they were able to show off their talents in a multi-million dollar, bespoke modular project. The components were trucked across the country and came together on site without a hitch.

Dynamic Facade

M House - Assembly Animation

EMERGENT PRACTICE: M-House, by Michael Jantzen

EMERGENT PRACTICE: M-House, by Michael Jantzen: "'The Los Angeles-based Michael Jantzen is one of the few of that generation of architects who have stuck to the idea of revolutionising the ..."

Monday, 16 May 2011

Modular Adaptibility - Precedent

Wall System - Multi use

source: http://openarchitecturenetwork.org/projects/4800
















Open Architecture Challenge: Classroom Design Winner

something to look and compare to...

Classroom Design Precedent - Some Nice Ideas

some provocative images, with an in depth costing analysis at the end of the slidshow

Draft - Chapter 3 - Literature Review

Concept Model


This conceptual model explores the concept of DFD. These interconnected components are flexible and easily manipulated to transform into endless variations. The elegant simplicity represents the intended design of the detailing and aesthetic. The colours are respresentative of the various layers and sub assemblies of a DFD inspired structure, which come together to form a dynamic entity.

Sunday, 15 May 2011

Modular School - Time Lapse Construction Sequence

Disassembly of the Apple Iphone 3GS

Learning from the masters - Apple Iphone 3GS Disassembly

SO CLEAN, SO BEAUTIFUL

Draft - Chapter 2 - Research Methodology

Draft - Chapter 1 - Introduction

Thesis Proposal - Draft

Design Experiment 1 - Adjustable Pile System

Quick concept of an adjustable pile. Influenced by adjustable car system. Using the spanners, the pile can be locked at the desired height by tightening the nuts, and pinching them together by applying clockwise force on one bolt, and anti-clockwise force on the other

Design Workshop - Trimester 1, 2011

The results of a conceptual workshop, was a great opportunity to sit back, relax and design

Sample Inspiration Images