Hybrid Housing — Joshua Chiang

Through the cohousing model, dwelling is reconsidered as a common act, undertaken by a mixed collective of individuals. This project deploys this housing model as an alternative to hypertechnological modes of building. As an emergent type, mid-tech assemblies co-opt modern operational tendencies such as digital fabrication and parametrization through passive building structures that reduce material and carbon excess. Reinforced concrete modules form the basis of this prefabricated assembly system. As an additive and adaptable framework for aggregation, a structural facade system organizes housing by dissolving the boundaries between units. Where the notion of private property is rendered irrelevant within this structure, beams and modules begin to convene the social and spatial conditions for shared use by residents.

Stuctural Geometry

Minimal surfaces occupy a given volume using the least surface area. This project selects Schoen’s batwing from the array of minimal surfaces to form the base unit of the modular structural system. As an assembly system, these forms provide material and structural efficiency while adapting to variable program configurations.

Section Perspective

Typical Residential Plans

Residential Plan A (L1, L3)

Residential Plan B (L2)

Structure

The structural system consists of reinforced concrete facade modules, which support precast beams spanning east-west across the site. These reinforced beams house the residential units, that alternate between double and single height based on the modulation of the structural envelope system.

Construction Details

1 Rebar dowel
2 Precast concrete facade
3 Galvanized steel railing
4 Climatil glass
5 Aluminum external finish
7 Aluminum single-leaf door
8 Cellular glass insulation
9 Polystyrene insulation
10 Plasterboard panel wall
11 Precast concrete beam

Software:
Rhinoceros 3D
Enscape
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe InDesign