Document Type

Poster

Publication Date

6-2015

Publication Title

Intersections & Adjacencies: Leadership in Architectural Technology Education : Proceedings of the 2015 Building Technology Educators' Society Conference

Publisher

University of Utah

Publisher Location

Salt Lake City, UT

Abstract

The School of Architecture’s intent was to use the Solar Decathlon as a catalyst for creating a new Design Build program. The project allowed the School to leverage support into acquiring tools & equipment essential to creating the house, and for upgrading the school’s shop facilities. The projects completed immediately following the Solar Decathlon utilized both digital fabrication and prefabrication. This is significant because the School intends to leverage both of these competencies, developed during the Solar Decathlon, in order to further the School’s craft-based pedagogy. Due to the Design-Build Studio’s development of the Solar Decathlon house, there has been significant interest from multiple parties to leverage this offsite construction experience to create projects that would benefit from these lessons. Despite the team’s tremendous success, finishing in second overall, and as the only U.S. team to finish in the top three, translating this interest into viable projects has taken significantly more time and effort than expected. The Design Build Studio’s faculty coordinator vetted interested parties, as well as actively searching for projects that fit the program’s mission.

The School of Architecture serves the functions normally associated with land grant universities. It is the sole architectural program in the state, and its mission is to work for the benefit of the state’s residents. The Design Build Studio’s mission includes assisting residents in connecting to the natural resources, wildlife, and ecosystems. In January 2015, the Design Build Studio began work on a project for the State Parks Division, a ticket booth for the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival. The Festival is an annual event at Sand Harbor State Park, the busiest location in the state park system. The project, while small, is in a highly public environment, and serves as an opportunity to showcase the Studio’s capability to work in diverse environmental conditions.

Representatives of the State Parks Division have expressed an interest in developing a long-term relationship, with the Design-Build Studio developing projects across the state. Future projects are anticipated to include guest cabins, ramadas, viewing platforms, and other projects that enrich visitor experiences at the parks. This relationship is an ideal partnership, leveraging the Design-Build Studio’s prefabrication skills and social/environmental focus while meeting the Parks Division’s needs. If the first project is successful, this partnership will be the catalyst that creates a sustainable future for the Design Build Studio.

Keywords

design-build; program development; community partnerships; higher education

Disciplines

Architectural Engineering | Architectural Technology | Architecture | Environmental Design

Language

English

Comments

This poster was presented at the 2015 Building Technology Educators' Society Conference, June 24-27, 2015, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT

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