Review Week- Site and Evolving Prototype

INSPIRATION:

Double House by MDRDV

Slip House by Carl Turner

Precedent:
Mies van der Rohe's Lafayette Park:

Key design guidelines from Lafayette park to be used as a reference for the proposed urban farm development:

1. First level raised at least 4 feet above associated parking to preserve exterior views.

2. Minimum spacing between buildings of 35' (given 40' x 180' buildings)

3. Maximum spacing between buildings of 145' (given 40' x 180' buildings)

4. Front of buildings is public space, rear of buildings is community/private space

5. Average townhouse SF is 1300 SF

6. Townhouse units are only 2-stories high and fit under the tree canopy

7. Townhouse units fit together lit a puzzle- alternating 2 beds on front or back on second floor every other unit.

8. Play on public and private- nighttime versus daytime; change of seasons effecting foliage

SITE STRATEGY:

-The farm will be a combination of several greenhouse/ hoophouses for year-round organic fruits and vegetables as well as tree farming (combining short-term and long-term farming goals).  Fruits and vegetables to be sold at Eastern Market 2.5 miles away)

-In the proposed site there is a total of 104 acres with 14 set aside for residential development and 11 for commercial buildings/activities resulting in 79 acres for farming.  Proposed to farm this remaining land between tree farm and fruit/vegetable farm with 3-4 acres for hoophouses and plantings and the remainder for the tree farm.

-In a precedent 60-acre organic farm, 12 farmhands were needed.

Therefore, at least 12 units will be needed for the development.  To achieve a mix of tenants a minimum number of 20 units is proposed.

 

-20 units results in approximately 0.7 acres per unit given a total of 14 acres for housing.

PROTOTYPE:

Shipping Container Units:

Container Material:  "corrugation panels (roof, sides, and back) made of weathering steel, floor, purlins,front doors, frame, and rails form an integrated structural skin"
Foundation:            Concrete slab on grade

Frame:                   Additional steel framing needed for any cut opening

Size:                     "40 High" units are 8' wide, 40' long, and 9'6" high

Mechanicals/ Off-grid technology:

Insulation:             Supertherm- sprayed on interior and exterior of corrugation panels

Windows/Doors:     Steel-framed

 

 

 

 

This layout actually accomodates 32 units (versus the proposed minimum of 20).  Each building cluster could accomodate 4 units. Two 1-Bedroom units and Two 2-3 bedroom units.  Each unit would have dedicated garage/work space, with the 1-bedroom units sharing a double garage and the 2-3 bedroom units would each have a double garage.