“When asked to build housing for 100 families in Chile ten years ago, architect Alejandro Aravena looked to an unusual inspiration: the wisdom of favelas and slums. Rather than building a large building with small units, he built flexible half-homes that each family could expand on. It was a complex problem, but with a simple solution — one that he arrived at by working with the families themselves. With a chalkboard and beautiful images of his designs, Aravena walks us through three projects where clever rethinking led to beautiful design with great benefit.”
architecture
Turning Whole Trees into High-Value Building Materials
“Rather than chipping trees and re-forming the pieces with adhesive (like OSB), Roald Gundersen’s company, Whole Trees Architecture and Structures, has developed methods for using whole peeled logs for columns and trusses.
Rebel Architecture (2014)
“Architecture has always determined the human world, from eccentric structures to the greatest monuments. But a rebellion is under way, led by a new breed of architect that puts people before icons — architects using the tools of their trade to restructure their surroundings and redefine their profession.
Balinese Architecture
“Balinese architecture is a vernacular architecture tradition of Balinese people that inhabits volcanic island of Bali, Indonesia. The Balinese architecture is a centuries-old architectural tradition influenced by Balinese culture developed from Hindu influences through ancient Javanese intermediary, as well as pre-Hindu elements of native Balinese architecture.
Frank Lloyd Wright River Forest House
“Isabel Roberts was a member of Wright’s design team and in 1908 she had this house built at 603 Edgewood Place. It has undergone two renovations in 1922 William Drummond did the first remodeling. He replaced the stucco exterior with brick and moved the door. The second update was done in 1958 by Wright himself who, among other things, moved the door back to it’s original location. The home was plagued by leaks but with a tree growing through the middle of it I think your gonna have problems. And like all of Wrights River Forest homes this home is in the historic district.”
GA Collaborative Earthbag Projects in Rwanda
“Following the success of their first Masoro Village Project house, the non-profit design group GA Collaborative (GAC) has released a video and crowdfunding campaign for their latest prototype in Rwanda. Like the previous GAC project, the first of its kind in Rwanda, it too will be built of earthbags, providing the crew further experience with a low-cost and durable construction technique.