Special Topics: Design Build / Building Systems

Catalog description

In this studio we will consider Thoreau's essayso much of it about his own design/build experiencein today's context. Collectively, we will design a cabin to meet the high standards of sustainability set by Eden Hall. After a round of prototyping, testing, and design development, the studio will create a set of construction documents and shop drawings. Covid and funding allowing, we will begin building the cabin at mid-term, with construction continuing into the summer or fall as required. This studio has a nine credit co-requisite, 48-358 Cabin Building Systems, which is also open to CEE students. Its focus will be on the building systems for the cabin that is being developed in the parallel studio. Topics include energy performance (e.g. production, renewable energy systems, passive and active ways to achieve efficiency, and modeling); integrated structural and engineering systems (e.g. building envelope, water treatment and management, heating and cooling systems, and electrical and lighting systems; and sensing for monitoring and control. The class will have a team-based format that is hands-on and lab-oriented rather than a seminar structure, and it will contribute directly to the build part of the studio.