The AIA Housing and Community Development Knowledge Community (HCD) is a network of architects and allied stakeholders that promotes equity in housing, excellence in residential design, and sustainable, vibrant communities for all, through education, research, awards, and advocacy.
In the fall of 2011 and 2012, Yestermorrow Design Build School and UMass Amherst Architecture+Design Program ran their new Sustainable Design|Build Semester program in rural Vermont. Open to undergraduate students from any discipline and school, the program addresses far-reaching sustainability topics through the lenses of small scale architecture and collaborative design/build. Over the course of two respective single fall semesters, students have designed and built two small houses. While referencing other national design|build models, this program distinguishes itself for four unique parameters: an interdisciplinary design approach, a sustainable design agenda, a consensus model of decision-making, and an immersion “study away” campus experience. With that in mind, presenter, José Galarza, defines the basic methods for running effective design/build studios. This presentation covers the first two projects completed: two semesters of design|build with two different groups. The work covered will discuss sustainable systems, design, and strategies, and explain of techniques used to address building safety and user comfort in the context of a very small building. The course provides an introduction to the design and construction of very small spaces, along with an overview of teaching considerations for this unique classroom alternative. This April 1, 2013 presentation is a part of the ongoing Housing Knowledge Community research webinar series. View the complete series archive. #HKC #Presentations #Webinars #DesignBuild #aia #Research #smallhouse #HousingKnowledgeCommunity #SmallProjectPractitioners #students