Redefining the design spectrum : a reinterpretation of the suburban home (providing variability through standardization)

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Authors
Weflen, Eric S.
Advisor
Kendall, Stephen
Issue Date
2005
Keyword
Degree
Thesis (B. Arch.)
Department
College of Architecture and Planning
Other Identifiers
Abstract

The typical suburban home is a "decorated box." It is a prosaic rectangular mass "enhanced" by projected forms. The boxes within a typical suburban residential neighborhood line up along the streetfronts like soldiers standing shoulder to shoulder. These boxes remain in this configuration despite the many unique family types that make up these porchless communities.It is only when these families are economically capable, that they are able to take an interest in the way they are housed. This interest is typically manifested in the hiring of an architect to design a home that suits their individual family dynamics. It is often the architect that provides the homeowner with knowledge regarding sensibilities such as daylighting, capturing breezes and framing views. The architect empowers the homeowner by providing them with choice. As an experienced designer, the architect is able to provide the homeowner with a system or dialogue to direct the evolution of the design. It is the architect that asks the many questions that drive such things as square footages, materials, siting and adjacencies.This project explores the potential of a system that would bring a high level of design choices to the typical homeowner. This system was derived by reinterpreting the zones within the decorated boxes, both private and public. Reinterpreted as independent pavilions rather than an assortment of individual rooms arranged within a rigid box, an enhanced level of variability can be achieved. The "pavilion village" arrangement offers many opportunities to incorporate the design sensibilities that typical suburban homes are lacking. Most importantly, the homeowner is able to make choices regarding these sensibilites throughtout the process. This project tests this system with the design of two homes for two unique family types. The resulting designs of these two homes stemmed from the homeowner's decisions within this system.