ARCH 5990 Directed Study
The purpose of this project was to create a set of "intuitive" construction documents - drawings easily comprehendable by those with limited construction experience, yet detailed enough to ensure accurate, quality construction. I am in my fifth (hopefully last!) year of study in the architecture program at the University of Oklahoma. I expect to graduate in May '97 with a Bachelor of Architecture degree.The project is a new residence for my parents, located atop a ridge in the foothills of the San Miguel mountains outside Patagonia, Arizona. My father and I will begin construction on the house in September '97. It was designed to be readily buildable by only two workmen, extraordinarily energy-efficient, and very inexpensive. As it will be my first fait accompli, we will find out if it is successful! (I'm confident.)
The house is a little over 3,000 S.F., of straw bale and adobe block construction. (Yes, I remember the "Three Little Pigs!") It utilizes a passive solar radiant heating system, which combined with the outstanding insulative value of the straw should produce excellent energy-efficiency. Many familiar with adobe construction have initially criticized the decision to use adobe on the interior, citing the more typical exterior application. This was done to complement the radiant heating system. As heat rises from the radiant tubing in the concrete floor slab, it is absorbed by the adobe, which acts as a thermal mass to 'hold' the interior temperature at a stable, comfortable level. Long after sunset, when the radiant heat pump has been shut off, the adobe will continue to emanate the heat that it has 'built up.' The straw keeps the heat from being lost to the cool outside air, as it would be if the adobe was exposed to the exterior.
"But this is southern Arizona," you say, "forget about heat, what about cooling?" Relatively dry air and generous southwest breezes, combined with the 'louvering' effect made capable by revolving window-doors provide excellent circulation characteristics. Coupled with the mass of the adobe (which of course holds cool temperatures as well as heat), air-conditioning should be avoidable.
Enough talk already, take a look at the drawings:
...you will need the
Autodesk WHIP! plug-in
to view the drawing files... (Yes, it's worth downloading!)
(...by the way, this logo is totally appropriate for an architecture course page!)
The Drawings
Cover Sheet A1.1 Floor Plan: Ground Floor A1.2 Floor Plan: Loft A2 Building Elevations A3 Building Section & Related Details S1.1 Foundation Plan: Lower Footing S1.2 Foundation Plan: Stem Wall S1.3 Foundation Plan: Upper Footing M1 Radiant Heating Plan P1 Plumbing Schematic E1.1 Electrical Plan: Ground Floor E1.2 Electrical Plan: Loft
Notes about the drawings and the WHIP! plug-in.
After viewing them,
drop me a line
and tell me what you think.