joe walsh | prototype

4.501 - Construction and Computation

"Students are lead through the process of construction from all sides of the practice: detail design, structural design, legal and computational issues. This course will explore the application of a new software type know as Building Information Modeling or BIM. Gehry Technologies "Digital Project" will serve as a platform for BIM and CAD CAM construction. We will explore many aspects of real world construction through field trips to existing home manufacturing companies and organizations that work with CNC processing as a practice."

Resolution: 4 Architecture

Given the task of combining traditional construction techniques with modern technologies such as parametric modeling and CNC routing, our group decided to implement a plywood box beam into our design. This implementation not only allowed for the elimination of a cumbersome glue laminated beam, but also created the opportunity to enhance the precision of the location of floor joists. To further utilize the CNC router, we experimented with using routed studs rather than traditional dimensioned lumber. The plywood studs allowed us more versatility in panel design by allowing us to more readily accept horizontal components into the panels. Finally, we adapted the Resolution: 4 Architecture design from a modularized construction to a panelized one. Panels were joined at 4x4 posts with lap joints.

progress.pdf- preliminary assembly sequence (14MB PDF)

Project Group: Lindsey Buck-Moyer, Caitlin Mueller, Maggie Nelson, Joe Walsh