Initial explorations focused on how to perform operations upon geometries based on user/resident input, how to define a residential unit, as well as the different manners by which the unit itself is formed.

Here I explore potential parametric relationships between space and user for a generic site condition.

Developing the idea that the residential units can be the individual expressing of their occupants in some way.  The controversy regarding Hantz Farms plans discussed in class led to the idea that each residential unit could express somehow what the occupants' stance is on the farm, and radical urban redevelopment in Detroit as a whole. 

 

Potential parametric relationships developed using a specific (but arbitrary) geometric example: a residential units centered on axes, in this case perhaps trees planted by Hantz Farms.

Above, some exploration into how specifically a unit could alter its form in a meaningful way, symbolically and spatially.

Further development of this idea.

After having explored this, I used it as an opportunity to introduce myself to the Grasshopper plugin for Rhino.  Blogger doesn't allow uploads of non-media files, but here's the screen shot:

Each pivoting wall is 1/2 of the length of the side of the rectangular form from which it was created.  Pivoting walls are permitted a total rotational range of 30° (the orientation of the line to which it attaches, +/-15°).  Each wall is controlled in Grasshopper using a slider bar.  Each corresponding pair of walls is connected by a third to close the envelope.

 [Thoughts on grasshopper: very powerful software]



Departing slightly from arbitrary geometry and focusing more on actual units and their aggregation, I developed a concept for a residence made up of three 20' x 10' x 10' cuboids.  The central cuboid is restrained, while either one or the other cuboid may be rotated 90° depending on occupant input.

One third of a residential unit.

The three possible combinations, arranged with the central components aligned.  The unit on the right opposed the red linear condition (the street, say), while the unit on the left is opposed to the blue linear condition (the edge of a radical urban development such as Hantz Farms, for example).  The central unit is neutral. 

Units arranged linearly at ground level.

 The means of aggregation for these units was to envelope each level of the linear arrangement in a partially transparent sheath, such that a resident's oppositional stance to the red linear condition might be expressed formally, and resulted in a condition of increased privacy along that facade.

A linear arrangement of ground floor units with the resulting continuous facade.

Because there are three unit types, 3² = 9 combinations are possible.  Because each facade envelope links to that of the unit beside it (on one side), each resident's stance will effect the condition of privacy afforded to their neighbor in some way. Note: In the language of Linear Algebra, there are only five distinct combinations, as four are reflections, or "mirrored images", of the others (see: https://www2.bc.edu/~reederma/llinalg5.pdf).

When stacked, the aggregation takes on apparent complexity, but the geometric description of it is just as simple.

The next stage will be to refocus my design work on the individual unit and it's constituent components, specifically addressing the following:

- Each unit component in it's most general form, i.e. a "stock" unit prior to parametric input.
- Construction methods for said component, differentiating potentially between stock components and user defined components.
-Methods to simplify production process such that aggregation requires minimal component combinations.
- Material and attachment methods of glazed unifying envelope.

And lastly, given time,
-Potential user input platforms for collecting data leading to the selection of a particular unit type.