Eco Robotics
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, Winter, 2006
http://www.robotecture.com/eco05/
Units: 3.0:  Lecture / Location: MWF 2-6pm, Room IDC
Instructor: Michael Fox (mafox@foxlin.com or michaelfox@csupomona.edu)

 

 

Exercise_01: Contextual Understanding / Precedent Study

Due Wednesday, 01/11

 

Both parts of this exercise are to be documented on your websites by the start of class on Wednesday 01/11

The exercise will be assessed on the following criteria:

60%         Content

30%         Presentation

10%         Timeliness

 

Part 1

 

The point of this exercise is to clearly understand the site through documentation.

You are to each individually document the following:

Geographic factors:

Soil, Topography, Vegetation

Climactic Factors:

Sun, Wind, Precipitation, Temperature

Sensory Factors:

Views, Sounds

 

·         Refer to handout by Ching

 

Part 2

 

The point of this exercise is to understand and clarify contextual situations for potential applications of “eco-robotic” systems.

 

Eco-robotic systems introduce an approach to architectural design where objects are conventionally static, use is often singular, and responsive adaptability is typically unexplored.  We are concerned with the “tangible” and “physical”, and sustainable “environments” in the broadest sense, with the goal of creating spaces and objects that can physically re-configure themselves to meet changing needs with respect to individual, social and environmental needs and the dynamics of space. Identify projects and/or situations whereby the issues of energy efficiency and environmental quality of buildings could be technologically enhanced to be more efficient, affordable, and reach a broader audience of users

 

You are each document two houses from the reference books below and identify how you believe the house is used. Document a situation or “problem” and clarify with justification, the potential application for an interactive system.

 

A second part of this exercise is to help you think of the big idea (parti) for your own house design.  For this part you are to create a parti diagram of each of the two houses you choose and explain in writing.

Reference Books available in  studio:

·         Phiadon Atlas of Contemporary Architecture

·         25 Houses Under 2,500 Square Feet

·         100 of the Worlds Best Houses