The Salt House Project: Designing for Death (DfD)
by
SunMin May Hwang
B.S., Housing & Interior Design
Yonsei University, 2009
Submitted to the Department of Architecture
in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of
Master of Architecture at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
February 2014
© 2014 SunMin May Hwang. All Rights Reserved
The author hereby grants to MIT permission to reproduce
and to distribute publicly paper and electronic copies of this thesis document in
whole or in part in any medium now known or hereafter created.
Signature of Author ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Department of Architecture
January 15, 2013
Certified by ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Brandon Clifford
Belluschi Lecturer of Dept. of Architecture
Thesis Supervisor
Accepted by ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Takehiko Nagakura
Associate Professor of Design and Computation
Chair of the Dept. Committee on Graduate Students
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Thesis Committee
Thesis Supervisor
Brandon Clifford
M.Arch, Belluschi Lecturer
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Thesis Reader
Antón García-Abril
Ph.D, Professor of Architecture
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
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John E. Fernández
M.Arch, Associate Professor of Architecture, Building Technology, and Engineering Systems
Head, Building Technology Program | Codirector, International Design Center, Singapore University of Technology and Design
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
External Design Critiques 12.19.2013
Gabriel Feld
Professor, RISD
Debora Mesa
Visiting Faculty, MIT
Lindy Roy
Visiting Lecturer, Architectural Design, Princeton University School of Architecture
Marc Swackhamer
Associate Professor, University of Minnesota School of Architecture
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The Salt House Project: Designing for Death (DfD)
Testing radically rapid turn-over of building life-cycle
by SunMin May Hwang
Submitted to the Department of Architecture on January 15, 2014
in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of
Master of Architecture at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Abstract
We as architects consider ourselves creators. We work under the false assumption that buildings will last forever. However, the fact is
that every building eventually dies. This thesis rethinks the question of death. The Salt House Project is a product of this questioning.
It tests radically rapid turnover of the building life cycle in the Islands of Galapagos, Ecuador. The thesis is carried out by designing
a salt-cured seasonal residence, which will gradually and naturally be demolished over a designated period of time. The building life
expectancy will be precisely set out from the beginning to the end-purporting each and every step of its life cycle -from occupation
to demolition. It will be constructed and disappear back into the nature within a one-year life cycle. Some parts will obviously remain
for a longer period of time depending on its structural integrity. However, the big picture is that the house will evolve-decay over time,
varying not only in its form but also in its function. To implement this idea, all building materials will be based on natural resources
including salt, soil, gravel, sand and coconut fiber. Water and heat will be the binding solution of the building structure and wind and
rain will act as demolition agents. This thesis challenges the attempt to alleviate building obsolescence over time by reversely mandating a building’s life expectancy. In doing so, we achieve firstly, a sympathetic connection between geometry and material and secondly,
a vitality to achieve eccentric expressions of life styles that can be highly unique and customized. In fact, the way we operate shifts dramatically when we design for death as opposed to perpetuity.
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Thesis Supervisor: Brandon Clifford
Title: Belluschi Lecturer of Department of Architecture
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Acknowledgment
I would like to sincerely thank:
All M.Arch fellow students who I learned the most from during my time at MIT,
Professors for the “whippings” that now will be the seed of both my life and career,
Cron for ubiquitous and kind support,
Cynthia Stewart and the rest of administrative staff whose efforts made things happen,
JongWan & Namjoo for the devoted help in the last few days of thesis,
JinKyu for the mentorship when most needed,
Miho & Sung for the comfort and friendship throughout the first year,
Jonathan Krones, Zahraa Saiyed, and Emily Lo Gibson for their supportive feedbacks,
Antón García-Abril for both compliments and critiques that come from true expertise,
John E. Fernández for the added intellectual rigor and depth to my research,
Nader Tehrani for the courage and confidence I gained through the internship at NADAAA,
Brandon Clifford, the best teacher I have ever had,
for making my last semester the most enjoyable and the most successful,
Friends & Relatives all over the world for encouragements,
Peter Kang, needless to say, for being there with me,
and
Lastly but not the least, my family for the ineffable trust, love and support.
SunMin May Hwang
January 15, 2014
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Table of Contents
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Introduction
Unintended building obsolescence
Rising building demolition rates over time
DfD Matrix: Scale over time
Building component life-span
Deconstruction vs Demolition
Architects’ attempts to alleviate building obsolescence over time
Precedents
Other industries
Mandate of time
Result of buildings not designed to be deconstructed
12
14
16
18
20
22
24
26
32
34
36
Testing Ground
Site Specifics: Galapagos
Human Encroachment | Zoning
Resources | Tourism
38
40
42
44
Design Process
Life-cycle
Materials | Form
Life cycle assessment
Construction & Demolition Process
Program | Maintenance & Operation
Structure | Design Factor
46
48
50
52
54
56
58
Material & Building Process Experiments
1. Salt crystallization
2. Salt solidity test
3. Salt texture, composite test
4. Earth repose test
5. Salt layer test (Saltification 1, 2)
6. Excavation mock-up
7. Demolition test
8. Settings
60
62
78
90
96
102
108
110
122
Drawings & Renders
Phase sections
Plans
Diagrammatic plans
Section
Renders
124
126
128
130
132
134
Final Presentation
138
Bibliography
150
11
Introduction
12
13
Unintended Building obsolescence
Interestingly enough, buildings in modern society are typically not designed to be demolished or deconstructed according
to construction and demolition expert Bradley Guy. The way
architects have been operating for years has been focused on
growth and prosperity because we believe that long-lasting life
is a virtue and at times economically more cost-effective. However, the result is that many buildings actually fail to fulfill their
life expectancy set out by architects. In fact, up until now, the
assumption was that building obsolescence is a matter of scale
of time.
Derelict buildings seen at 'Villa 26' slum on the banks of the Riachue- Derelict building photography
lo river in the Argentinian capital of Buenos Aires, Argentina. (2011) Source: http://1074192222.blogspot.com/2011/02/12.html by Olivia Williams
Source: http://tetw.org/post/41374954509/ill-fares-the-land
14
DfD: Designing buildings to facilitate future renovations and
eventual disassembly. This involves using less adhesives and
materials and using more re-usable components.
C&D: Construction & Demolition materials consist of the debris generated during construction, renovation and demolition
of buildings, roads and bridges.
(http://www.epa.gov/greenhomes/TopGreenHomeTerms.htm)
Derelict building in Saint Louis, MI,
Derelict building in ZhongZheng, Taiwan
Approx. 6,000 abandoned buildings in the Missouri City which has seen a declining Source: http://fotografar.pt/predios-abandonados-ultrapassado-por-natureza/
population over the last 60 years Source: Photographed by Demond Meek http://
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2169773/Stunning-photographs-transform-StLouis-landscape-crumbling-buildings-abandoned-homes-slum-beautiful-art.html
15
Rising Building Demolition Rates over time
16
17
DfD Matrix: Scale over time
Short Term
(1-12 months)
Afterparty Installation
by MOS
Medium Term
(1-15 years)
Long Term
(15 years- 60years)
Pneumocell: Inflatable
by Thomas Herzig
Light House
S
San Francisco Embarcadero Pier-Museum,
Historic Preservation
UBC C.K Choi Building
M
London Aquatic center
by Zaha Hadid
L
Source: http://gbdmagazine.com/2012/zaha-hadid-london/
Philips eco enterprise center
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Stata Parking Lot
Shrinking building
demolition in Japan
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Building
Component
Life-
Building components’ life span varies to a great extent and so
some parts inevitably become obsolete earlier than other components. This distribution map [figure 1.] shows how often
buildings are demolished for reasons unrelated to physical obsolescence. When the building is designed for perpetuity, it falls
in the pit of having to deal with area redevelopment, resale and
not to mention maintenance issues.
0 1 year
20
50 years
60 years
70 years
80 years
90 years
100 years
80 years
90 years
100 years
life expectancy of building components far exceed
actual lifespan of buildings
Schools
Residential buildings
non-residential buildings
Timeline of high-rise towers
Seagram building
John Hancock Tower
Chrysler building
Empire state building
Building components life expectancy
Area redevelopment (34%)
Figure 1.
Source: O’Connor, Jennifer. “Survey on actual service lives for North American
buildings” 2004.
40 years
Building life expectancy by factors and functions
Building demolition reasons
Most of the reasons are unrelated to the physical obsolescence of building components
Lack of maintenance (24%)
30 years
*Please refer to the timeline below.
Buidling Life-cycle maps
Buidling Component Life-span
Others
20 years
WHAT HAPPENED HERE?
Building Ecology Research
Building no longer suitable for
intended use (22%)
10 years
STUFF
SPACE PLAN
SERVICES
SKIN
STRUCTURE
SITE
5-15 yrs
5-20 yrs
5-30 yrs
30-60 yrs
60-200 yrs
>building
Source: Building layers, The six S, by Stewart Brand (1994)_edit: added arrows going counter clock to the original ones.
Guy, Bradley, Ciarimboli, Nicholas and etc. “Design for Disassembly in the built environment”-a guide to closed-loop design and building.
Foundation
Frame
Upper Floors
Stairs
Windows
Internal Walls
Wall finish
Ceiling finish
Space Heating & Air treatment
Lift Installation
0 1 year
10 years
20 years
30 years
40 years
50 years
60 years
70 years
Timeline of temporary buildings inflatables, exhibition booths
MOS’s Afterparty, P.S.1 NY, 2009
Shigeruban container pavilion+recyclable paper tubes, Singapore Biennale 2008
Exhibition booths
0
1month
2 months
3 months
4 months
5 months
6 months
7 months
8 months
9 months
10 months
11months
12months
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Deconstruction vs Demolition
Deconstruction
Deconstruction is a careful process that systematically disassembles a structure into
its components. This process can recover items to be reused in future construction.
Deconstruction process is also roughly the reverse process of construction, allowing
separation of materials for reuse, recycling and disposal.
21 % +
2.4 x
4 x
22
Building
vs
Demolition
Demolition process usually requires detonation thereby protection of the site
and surrounding buildings. Many components that can be salvaged are damaged
through this process.
Deconstruction vs Demolition
Higher cost
man power
Cost
Labor
Time
Man-Hours
Man-hours
Deconstruction
$3.64/sq.ft.
12 people
5 days
480 hours
Demolition
$1.74/sq.ft.
5 people
3 days
120 hours
37 %-
10%-
Salvage value
lower net deconstruction costs
Source: Deconstruction Institute, GreenHalo Systems, Note: For a
typical 2000 square foot home
Demolition
Transfer
Recycling & Processing center
Distribution
Building
Demolition
Transfer
Recycling & Processing center
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Architects’ attempts to alleviate building obsolescence over time
In order to resolve the problem of partial obsolescence,
architects have attempted to reuse, recycle, reprocess and
relocate buildings and material components. For example, Japanese metabolism came up with plug-in unit type
architecture in the 1900’s. However, the initial cost of
fabricating these customized unit types was too expensive
that it could not supersede normal standards of building construction. It goes the same for the container box
buildings, which has now become a popular architectural
practice. There are industries such as automobile and furniture in which designers have actively started engaging in
the end-use of consumer goods.
However, in the building industry, because of the large
scale and the diverse methods of construction, despite the
fact that there is a huge amount of research going on, the
ramifications have been slow and minute in their impact.
(Simply put, this is not to say that we lack information or
knowledge, but it is rather that, it is hard for architects to
have a comprehensive understanding of the technological
input we can make on one’s own end.)
REUSE LIFE CYCLE IN BUILDING ENVIRONMENT
EXTRACTION OF
NATURAL
RESOURCES
PROCESSING INTO
MATERIALS
MANUFACTURE INTO
COMPONENTS
ASSEMBLY INTO
BUILDINGS
RECYCLING OF MATERIALS
REPROCESSING OF MATERIALS
REUSE OF COMPONENTS
RELOCATION OF
WHOLE BUILDING
BUCKMINSTER FULLER’S DYMAXION
PHILIPS ECO-ENTERPRISE CENTER, MN
CONTAINER BUILDINGS
C.K CHOI BUILDING, VANCOUVER, BC
THE CARNEGIE LIBRARY OF PATCHOGUE, NY
BUILDING USE
Methods of solutions
ROSE HOUSE
DISASSEMBLY
1) Recycling Material
4 Basic scenarios for DfD:
Design for Disassembly
2) Reprocessing of Material
3) Reuse of components
4) Relocation of whole building
Source: Crowther, Philip. “Building Disassembly and the lessons of industrial ecology” Shaping the Sustainable Millennium: Collaborative Approaches. Brisbane, Australia, July 2000
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WASTE FOR
DUMPING
Source: Scenarios for Reuse in the Life Cycle of the Built Environment
Source: Philip Crowther, School of Architecture, Interior and Industrial Design, Queensland Univ. of Technology, Australia.
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Precedents
Building Industry
4 Basic scenarios for DfD:
Design for Disassembly
1) Recycling Material
1) Recycling Material
2) Reprocessing of Material
3) Reuse of components
4 Basic scenarios for DfD:
Design for Disassembly
4) Relocation of whole building
Wang Shu, Recycling Parts
Xiangshan Campus, China Academy of Art, Phase II, 2004-2007,
Hangzhou, China
PROS Historic significance, ecologically effective
CONS Time consuming, need for base resource
Ningbo History Museum, China
2) Reprocessing of Material
3) Reuse of components
4) Relocation of whole building
Concrete reprocessing
Concrete Recycling Process
Metal reprocessing
Metal Recycling Process
http://www.metalandwaste.com/Products/ferrous-metal.html
PROS Reduction in landfill space,
Preservation of virgin material,
CONS Site/Storage for recovered material,
Lack of standards for recovered material
Devalued materials
26
27
1) Recycling Material
4 Basic scenarios for DfD:
Design for Disassembly
2) Reprocessing of Material
3) Reuse of components
1) Recycling Material
4 Basic scenarios for DfD:
Design for Disassembly
2) Reprocessing of Material
3) Reuse of components
4) Relocation of whole building
4) Relocation of whole building
Figure 1.
Cargo Container Architecture
Japanese Metabolism
Nagakin Capsule Hotel by Kisho Kurokawa
PROS Strength, Durability, availability and cost (as cheap as $900 sometimes)
PROS Interchangeability, Replaceability
CONS Toxic coatings used to facilitate ocean transport, Hazardous chemical
flooring, Cumbersome process of making the box habitable, Energy
consumed to transport container into place where needed, Awkward
dimensions for human living space
CONS Costly fabrication of customized pieces
Low feasibility for mass production
http://www.archdaily.com/160892/the-pros-and-cons-of-cargo-container-architecture/
Photo by wendyfairy - http://www.flickr.com/photos/20575593@N00/
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Figure 2.
Figure 1.
Figure 2.
Isometric plan of capsule. Dimension are 2.5m x 4m x 2.5m
Detail of system of joining capsule to shaft
29
Precedents
1) Recycling Material
4 Basic scenarios for DfD:
Design for Disassembly
2) Reprocessing of Material
3) Reuse of components
1) Recycling Material
4 Basic scenarios for DfD:
Design for Disassembly
4) Relocation of whole building
2) Reprocessing of Material
3) Reuse of components
4) Relocation of whole building
Using Tecorep system, building components are disassembled in the closed space.
Two floors are removed each
time. The roof of the top floor
is supported by temporary
columns, which are placed on
large beams two floors below.
While building components
get dismantled, jacks incorporated into columns are
lowered, creating a shrinking
building effect from the outside.
Production & Manufacturing industry’s effect on Architecture
Buckminster Fuller’s Dymaxion
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The Carnegie Library of Patchogue was relocated as the
334 ton three-story brick
building was moved to a storage location. The moving will
be done in several phases.
High-tech demolition systems for high-rises
Shrinking Building, Tokyo, Japan
Building Mobility
The Carnegie Library of Patchogue, NY
http://web-japan.org/trends/11_tech-life/tec130325.html
http://www.wolfehousebuildingmovers.com/showcase/project-list/gallery/new-york/patchogue-ny
PROS Interchangeability, Replaceability
PROS Quiet demolition, Potential for reuse of materials
PROS Saves historic building, Allows new construction in original place
CONS Costly fabrication of customized pieces
Low feasibility for mass production
CONS Specificity and high-technology required
CONS Heavy machinery moving process
31
Other industries
32
Automobile Industry
Furniture Industry
Automobile components disassembly
Damian Ortega’s exhibition
Self assembly and disassembly of furnitures
Damian Ortega’s exhibition
General Motors, Chrysler and Ford formed “Vehicle Recycling Partnership 1994
to develop means to recover materials from automobiles for reuse and recycling
(Billatos and Basaly, 1997)
Do-it-yourself (DIY) furnitures allow components to come apart easily as it is
to assembly them, allowing easier access to reuse, recycle and reprocessing of
materials.
33
Mandate of time
Successful Example: LEED Point System
LEED, in fact, mandates the use of dead buildings as much as possible.
1 point
34
2 points
35
Result of buildings not designed to be deconstructed
Designing for Built-in-Obsolescence
After a thorough examination of current and past attempts to reduce building construction
waste, the realization was that the major problem lies in the fact that buildings in modern
society are typically not designed to be deconstructed*. That is why so many building materials end up in trash.
Perhaps we can reverse the common notion and design with built-in obsolescence and
make a building last for only for a certain period of time.
What would it mean for architects to break away from creation?
What does it mean to design for death instead of birth?
*Source: Guy, Bradley, Shell, Scott, Esherick, Homsey. ”Design for Deconstruction and Materials Reuse,”
The consequences are as follows... ...
36
37
Testing Ground
38
39
Site Specifics
N
Galapagos, Ecuador
The SALT HOUSE will be sited in Santiago Island of Galapagos,
Ecuador. Santiago Galapagos is a volcanic island in the northern
part of Galapagos that consists mostly of arid and dry zones. There
is also a history of salt mining in the northwestern part of the island, which now sits as a scar of human invasion. The project will
utilize salt from this mine as an essential part of the project.
Most importantly, this is a site where awareness for human encroachment on its natural habitat cannot be more ecologically
sensitive. The rising level of awareness in reducing disruptive and
wasteful practice of human invasion makes it a perfect testing
ground for this thesis.
Santiago Island
Area: 585 km²
Maximum Altitude: 907 meters
History: 1960’s Salt mine excursion
by Mr. Hector Edgas, the first settle
1 knot: 1.151 miles per hour
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WARM SEASON
Weak southwest trade wind 0-8 knots
COLD SEASON
Strong northwest trade wind 11-15 knots
UNDESIRED ZONE
Safe for development, Dry land
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Human Encroachment
Santiago Islands, Galapagos
Zoning
Arid zone
Dry zone
Humid Zone
66%
Invasive species & Human settlement
1200m
900m
600m
Pampa Zone
Miconia Zone
Topmost zone | Wet climate | Prevailing fern &
grasses | Lava Flows
Brown Zone
Scalesia Zone
Transitional Zone
Arid Lowlands Zone
Littoral Zone
Scalesia trees | Brown zone due to due to decay
of moss
Costant rain during wet season | Humid | Ferns,
mosses, grasses, Scalesia tree | Oversized daisy
Miconia bushes | Direct Sunlight
Small trees and shrubs
Cacti | Dry zone | Rocky & Sandy
Lowest zone | Dry & Sandy | Salt water flora |
Prevalent Mangroves
STEEP CLIFFS, LAVA FLOW, CORAL & SHELL
SAND BEACHES, ROCKY BEACHES, CRATER
LAKES, FUMAROLES, LAVA TUBES, SULPHUR
FIELDS, PUMICE, ASH AND TURK FROM LAVA
300m
0m
During 1920s and1960s, companies extracted salt from the Salt Mine Crater. The
mine is a small volcanic cone whose crater has a seasonal, salt-water lagoon,
where flamingos and other birds can be seen. Galapagos hawks are often observed in the area.
42
SECTION CUT THROUGH ROCA REDONDA, ISABELA ISLAND AND SANTIAGO ISLAND
43
Resources
Tourism
Resources & Rise in Tourism in Galapagos
Galapagos holds very little capacity for fresh water
2011
2020
STONE EXTRACTION TIMELINE
16,250
1999
2001
2004
2007
2008
Gravel
Potential Capacity
800,000
(estimate) cubic m/day
Sand
9,423
Stone Filling
Stone Rubble
Stone block
cubic m/day
1,000,000
Granule used for pavement of the Puerto Ayora
Canal de
Itabaca Road
“La Cascade”
neighborhood is
built and new
streets are created
Complete rebuilding
of the road to
Baltra
2007 increase in salaries
for civil servants sparks
wave of construction
“La Cascade”
neighborhood is
built and new
streets are created
700,000
600,000
500,000
400,000
DESALINATION
$100/ cubic m
$25/ cubic m
RAIN WATER COLLECTION
one household 2.9 cubic m/day
93.5 cubic m/day
800
Existing Capacity of Tourism
liters/ person/ day
300,000
200,000
100,000
EXTRACT FROM WELL
$1.21/ cubic m
IMPORTED BOTTLED POTABLE WATER
44
1210 cubic m/day
NEW POLICY-SUSTAINABLE TOURISM
1940
1960
1980
2000
2020
167 cubic m/day
45
Design Process
46
47
Life Cycle
Salt House Construction & Habitation Cycle
WARM SEASON
WARM SEASON
Hence, the thesis is carried out by designing a salt-cured seasonal residence,
which will gradually and naturally be
demolished over a designated period of
time. The building life expectancy will
be precisely set out from the beginning
to the end-purporting each and every
step of its life cycle -from occupation
to demolition. It will be constructed
and disappear back into nature within
a one-year life cycle. Some parts will
obviously remain for a longer period of
time depending on its structural integrity. However, the big picture is that the
house will evolve over time, varying not
only in its form but also in its function.
DRY SEASON
WARM SEASON
29 °C
Passive Occupation
End of Life-cycle
DRY SEASON
Beginning of Construction
Digging | Piling | Base Construction
Saltification
Interior Excavation & Build-up
Family Vacation House
Contemplation Shelter
Animal Sanctuary
PLOTS: 7/9, 9/9 done moving
5 hr
still need to plot 5/9
need to cut 8/9-left side (v) &
5/9-left side
1,2,3,(4),(5) 6,7,
48
Active Occupation
CLEAR SKY (hrs)
-8,-9
49
Materials
Form
Main Material Stream
Form Works Using Earth element: Angle of Repose + Earth Molding
The main material of the building will be salt, water, soil, sand,
gravel and coconut fiber. The reposed mounds built out of earth,
will be the form works (or mold) for the house and coconut fi-
ber will be layered on top of each mound to become the building
façade. Salt crystallization over this layer will add rigidity and
controlled opacity to the house.
Using angle of repose as form work allows the space inside to get
diameters, heights and angles depending on the mixture of earthen
as big as the mound gets. The important factor in this method is
elements-which will add uniqueness and variability to each and
that it leaves no harmful impact on the ecology. Forms will vary in every time a house with this method.
45 °
40 °
35 °
30 °
SALT
50
+
WATER
+
SOIL | GRAVEL
+
BURLAP
|
COCONUT FIBER +
SAND
51
Life Cycle Assessment
Comparison among different building types
Global Warming Potential (GWP)
Acidification Potential (AP)
Variant 1.
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Construction
(includes material
manufacturing)
Energy Use
Operations & Decommissioning
Maintenance
CO2 Emission
SO2 Emission
NO2 Emission
Variant 4.
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Operations &
Maintenance
Decommissioning
Material
Manufacturing
PM10 Emissions
Average
Salt House
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Construction
(includes material
manufacturing)
Construction
(includes material
manufacturing)
Non-Renewable
Energy (NRE)
Variant 3.
Variant 2.
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Photochemical Oxidation Creation
Potential (POCP)
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Construction Operation &
Maintenance
Demolition
Material
Manufacturing
Construction Operation &
Maintenance
Demolition
Operations & Decommissioning
Maintenance
Source: Bayer, Charlene, et al. “AIA Guide to Building Life Cycle Assessment in Practice” American Institute of Architects, Washington, DC. 2010
52
53
Construction & Demolition Process
Life-cycle Diagram
The diagram shows the construction process.
1 Week | DIGGING
1/2 Week | BASE-CONSTRUCTION
1/2 Week | SAND PILING
1 Week: 2nd Week | LAYERING. TARP WRAP, BURLAP or COCONUT FIBER
1-2 Month: 2nd Month 2 Weeks | SALTIFICATION
1 Week: 2nd Month 3rd Week | CURING
1 Week: 3rd Month | EXCAVATION
STABLE PARTS: LONGER LIFE-CYCLE
1 Week: 6-12month Month
| NATURAL DEMOLITION
3 Month: 3.2-7th Month | ACTIVE OCCUPATION
1 Week: 3.1 Month | INTERIOR BUILD-UP
1) Earth will be dug out, pile of sand that was excavated will
be reposed to create a mold for the space. The next couple
weeks will be spent on salt crystallization over the coconut
fiber layer. Then, earth will be excavated back into the underlying earth. In this stage, there will be a negative space
created in the ground alternatively so as to have service
space and interior build-up using the leftover earth.
54
55
Program
Feasible method of Maintenance & Operation
Program Variability
Rain Water Harvesting Potential
2) Over time, the form will deform and some parts will
fade away. Some parts can be made structurally more rigid
in the layering process so that the durability is intentionally
increased.
ROOF PROJECTED AREA: Approx. 20m2
Calculation: Area in m2 x Rainfall in mm x 0.001 x 0.9 (efficiency rate)
1ton = 1,000 liter
Water needed per person per day: 2-3 liters / day | 730 liters / year
Differentiating MATERIALITY of mounds
DIFFERENTIATES THE FUNCTION, LIFE-CYCLE VARIABILITY
90 % RAINWATER COLLECTING
EFFICIENCY
=7.31 ton/year
Soft-Bright
Coarse-Dark
=4.06 ton/year
+
Change over TIME
CHANGES THE FUNCTION OF ROOMS
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Private Dwelling
50 % EFFICIENCY
Public Hut
Note: Despite the huge potential in the rainwater
collection system, this idea will not be incorporated
into the Salt House. The rainwater harvesting goes
against the natural demolition concept of the house
. Although ideally feasible, it is unanimously agreed
among the critiques to not include rainwater harvesting in the project as it counteracts the thesis.
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Structure
Base
“Obsolescence over time” as a desirable factor
BASE STRUCTURE & PROGRAM
Key element in Construction and Demolition
CHANGE IN PROGRAM OVER TIME
Living Room ------------- Open public auditorium
Restroom
------------- Plant Vegetation
Bedroom
Living Room Yoga Room
Kitchen
Kitchen
Pool
Public bath Flamingo Sanctuary
In the conventional practice of architecture, “OBSOLESCENCE
OVER TIME” was undesirable. In this project, obsolescence over
time is actually one of the key elements of construction and
demolition . Over time, the form will mutate through natural
weathering agencies such as wind, water and rain.
This deformation will provide subtle changes at different times of
the day and year, which will then cause to serve different functions
at different stages of life.
-------------
BASE STRUCTURE DIAGRAM
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59
Material & Building Process Experiments
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61
1. Salt Crystallization
Experiment & Observation of 8 selected materials
11.10.2013-12.12.2013
Coconut Fiber | Wiremesh | Basswood | Rice Paper | Corrugated cardboard | Casting Gauze | Burlap | Cotton | Nylon Fiber
Original state of materials
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63
1. Salt Crystallization
Daily Spraying Action
11.10.2013-12.12.2013
Coconut Fiber | Wiremesh | Basswood | Rice Paper | Corrugated cardboard | Casting Gauze | Burlap | Cotton | Nylon Fiber
Solution: Water, Epsom Salt and regular Table Salt
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65
1. Salt Crystallization
Daily Spraying Action
11.10.2013-12.12.2013
1. Casting Gauze
2. Coconut Fiber
11.11.2013
11.13.2013
11.15.2013 11.16.2013
11.18.2013
11.23.2013
11.24.2013
11.29.2013
12.04.2013
12.10.2013
12.12.2013
1.
2.
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67
1. Salt Crystallization
Daily Spraying Action
11.10.2013-12.12.2013
3. Rice Paper
4. Cotton Fabric
11.11.2013
11.13.2013
11.15.2013 11.16.2013
11.18.2013
11.23.2013
11.24.2013
11.29.2013
12.04.2013
12.10.2013
12.12.2013
3.
4.
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69
1. Salt Crystallization
Daily Spraying Action
11.10.2013-12.12.2013
5. Wire Mesh
6. Burlap
11.11.2013
11.13.2013
11.15.2013 11.16.2013
11.18.2013
11.23.2013
11.24.2013
11.29.2013
12.04.2013
12.10.2013
12.12.2013
5.
6.
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71
1. Salt Crystallization
Daily Spraying Action
11.10.2013-12.12.2013
7. Corrugated Cardboard
8. Basswood
11.11.2013
11.13.2013
11.15.2013 11.16.2013
11.18.2013
11.23.2013
11.24.2013
11.29.2013
12.04.2013
12.10.2013
12.12.2013
7.
8.
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73
1. Salt Crystallization
Soaking-Natural Evaporation, Oven Baking
11.10.2013-12.12.2013
Coconut Fiber | Wiremesh | Basswood | Rice Paper | Corrugated cardboard | Casting Gauze | Burlap | Cotton | Nylon Fiber
Solution: Water, Epsom Salt and regular Table Salt
Oven Baking
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75
1. Salt Crystallization
Soaking-Natural Evaporation, Oven Baking
11.10.2013-12.12.2013
1. Coconut Fiber | Basswood | Corrugated Cardboard | Cotton Fabric
2. Rice Paper | Wiremesh | Burlap | Casting Gauze
11.11.2013
11.13.2013
11.15.2013 11.16.2013
11.18.2013
11.23.2013
11.24.2013
11.29.2013
12.04.2013
12.10.2013
12.12.2013
1.
2.
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77
2. Salt Solidity Test
Mound Test
10.20.2013
Oven Baking | Boiling | Microwave | Natural Evaporation
78
79
2. Salt Solidity Test
Mound Test
10.20.2013
Oven Baking | Boiling | Microwave | Natural Evaporation
80
81
2. Salt Solidity Test
Brick Test
10.22.2013
Oven Baking | Boiling | Microwave | Natural Evaporation
82
83
2. Salt Solidity Test
Brick Test Result
84
85
2. Salt Solidity Test
Brick Test
10.24.2013
Oven Baking | Boiling | Microwave | Natural Evaporation
86
87
2. Salt Solidity Test
Brick Test Results
WATER: SALT (RATIO) 1:4 | 100pwr | MICROWAVE 60sec.
88
1:3 | 100pwr | MICROWAVE 60sec.
1:1 | 77 °F| BOIL
1:4 | 100pwr | MICROWAVE 30sec.
1:2 | 100pwr | MICROWAVE 60sec.
89
3. Salt Texture, Composite Test
Sand, Salt Aggregate
11.03.2013
Sand+Plaster: Sand->Sun dried Salt + Epsom Salt -> Steam -> Plaster -> Excavation
90
91
3. Salt Texture, Composite Test
Sand, Salt Aggregate
11.03.2013
Sand+Plaster: Sand->Sun dried Salt + Epsom Salt -> Steam -> Plaster -> Excavation
92
93
3. Salt Texture, Composite Test
Sand, Salt Aggregate Test Result
94
95
4. Earth Repose Test
Sand Build-up, Texture Wrap-up
12.05.2013
96
97
4. Earth Repose Test
Sand Build-up
12.05.2013
Sand Build-up demonstrating angle of repose
98
99
4. Earth Repose Test
Sand Build-up, Texture Wrap-up
12.05.2013
Texture Wrap-up to cast sand mound
100
101
5. Salt Layer Test (Saltification 1.)
Salt Water Spray + Drier + Light Torch
12.07.2013
Salt Water Spray + Drier + Light Torch
102
103
5. Salt Layer Test (Saltification 1.)
Salt Water Spray + Drier + Light Torch
12.07.2013
Salt Water Spray + Drier + Light Torch
First day
104
Few days after
105
5. Salt Layer Test (Saltification 2.)
Salt Water Paste application
12.10.2013
Solution: Epsom Salt + Table Salt + Boiling Water
106
107
6. Excavation Mock-up
Sand Excavation (& Interior Build-up)
12.11.2013
108
109
7. Demolition Test (Partial)
Syringe: Rain Simulation
12.13.2013
110
111
7. Demolition Test (Partial)
Syringe: Rain Simulation
12.13.2013
112
113
7. Demolition Test (Partial)
Syringe: Rain Simulation Result
114
115
7. Demolition Test (Full Scale Model)
Rain Simulation Result
12.15.2013
116
117
7. Demolition Test (Full Scale Model)
Rain Simulation Result
12.15.2013
118
119
7. Demolition Test (Full Scale Model)
Rain Simulation Result
120
121
Experiment Settings
Salt, Rain, Demolition Test set-up room
11.20.2013-12.15.2013
122
123
Drawings & Renders
124
125
Phase Sections
Drawings+Material: Time
Section Details & Deformation over time
Phase Sections 1/6” = 1’-0”
3rd MONTH OF BUILDING LIFE-CYCLE
Immediately after Earth Excavation
126
3rd-4.5 MONTH OF LIFE-CYCLE
Beginning of Occupancy Stage
4.5-6th MONTH OF LIFE-CYCLE
Active Occupancy Stage
6th-12th (or More) OF LIFE-CYCLE
Natural Demolition Stage
127
Plans
Drawings+Material: Time
Occupancy Phase: Deformation and transition over time
Phase Plans 1/6” = 1’-0”
128
129
Diagrammatic Plan
Unique formations
Diagrammatic Plan Variations
130
131
Section
Occupancy Phase
Phase Plans 1/6” = 1’-0”
132
133
134
Lighting & Gaze
Material Function
135
136
Exterior View
137
Final Presentation
138
139
Final Presentation
Model & Test Samples
12.19.2013, Media Lab
140
141
Final Presentation
Model & Test Samples
12.19.2013, Media Lab
142
143
Final Presentation
Model & Test Samples
12.19.2013, Media Lab
144
145
146
147
148
149
Bibliography
150
151
Bibliography
etc.
Andrew Scott (M.Arch) Spring 2011 Studio. “Galapagos: Architecture at the Intersection of Biodiversity and Encroachment in the Ecuadorian Galapagos” Massachusetts Institute of Technology, October 2011
Credit Black background photography by Andy Ryan
Bayer, Charlene, et al. “AIA Guide to Building Life Cycle Assessment in Practice” American Institute of Architects, Washington, DC. 2010
For video, visit link:
http://youtu.be/-5GcSURrhwY
(Title: The Salt House Project: Designing for death_MIT M.Arch thesis '13_SunMin May Hwang )
Crowther, Philip. “Chapter 7-Design of Buildings and Components for Deconstruction”
Crowther, Philip. “Building Disassembly and the lessons of industrial ecology” Shaping the Sustainable Millennium: Collaborative Approaches.
Brisbane, Australia, July 2000
Diven, Richard and Michael R.Taylor. “Demolition Planning” Supplemental Architectural Services, Architect’s Handbook of Professional Practice.
2006
EPA Green Building Workgroup. “Buildings and their Impact on the Environment: A Statistical Summary “ 2009
(EPA’s Green Building website at www.epa.gov/greenbuilding. )
Gaisset, Ines. “Designing Buidings for Disassembly: Stimulating a change in the Designer’s Role” Civil and Environmental Engineering Dept. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. June 2011
Guy, Bradley and Sean Mclendon. “How cost effective is deconstruction?” Center of construction and Environment at the University of Florida,
Gainsville. July 2001
Guy, Bradley, Ciarimboli, Nicholas and etc. “Design for Disassembly in the built environment”-a guide to closed-loop design and building.
Guy, Bradley, et al. ”Design for Deconstruction and Materials Reuse,”
Saiyed, Zahraa Nazim. “Disaster Debris Management and Recovery of Housing Stock in San Francisco, CA” Department of Architecture, Massachusetts Institute of Technology. June 2012
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