Useful
and functional, the cold-formed metal framing system known as Unistrut has
endured for close to a century. Since 1924, the multipurpose system has developed
into a complete kit of parts including adapters for diversifying the system’s
applications from partitions to electrical distribution. The Unistrut’s plug
and play logic has succeeded where most comparable architectural systems have
failed. Architecture assembled from plug and play parts has remained
predominantly stylistic.
Architecture
and construction systems have rarely put the potential of a systemic universality
through assembly adapters to the test. Recent research in «open building» and
in «open source construction systems» has examined the notion of universal
architectural systems. One such study by FAT (Free art and technology lab) in
3d printing led to a universal toy kit that could mix with other toy sets such
as Legos, Meccano, etc. The framework for sharing components and giving a
system’s users the potential to create and vary a basic architecture could be
explored on a larger scale in order to reform the proprietary nature of our building
culture.
Designed
by SU11, an innovative architectural practice in New York, the Composite
House proposed a housing system using composite materials to create
large scale molded functional or spatial units that can be assembled in a
multitude of spatial and structural compositions. A life-size 3d puzzle identifies
components such as wall storage units, bathroom pods, entry staircase pods, as
part of a veritable database of architectural devices. Spatial devices define
and delineate an interior flexible architectural space.
The
composite elements can be fixed to any skeletal structure in timber, steel or
concrete. Although the precise means of assembling are not revealed the
potential for open and systemic integration exists, again, in theory. The self-supporting,
composite pods conjure images of Archigram’s plug-in city or Kisho Kurokawa’s
capsule tower strangely combined with Walter Segal’s or Ken Isaac’s self-build
structures. Combining technology with the theoretical framework of play once
again arrives at the architectural kit, this time however a kit of
architectural devices as opposed to the technical devices. The enduring
question remains, how do we reconcile this type of architectural scheme with
century old building technology that still somehow prefers the flexibility
provided by onsite stick building?
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| Composite House - potential organisation |
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