Resource City: Building for disassembly

Studio Dirk lever

Spring 2016

COOPERATIVE HOUSING IN ZURICH

with Victor Stolbovoy

The project starts at the smallest scale. The connection principle and the analysis of the detail are taken as a source of inspiration for the larger structure of the building
The main feature of the pinned connection is that it can allow movement and become a hinge. We tried to understand, combine and implement the principles of this type of connection at all scales, starting from literally connecting two load-bearing beams to spatial pins which hold together the building and the block.

Starting at the scale of the construction detail we chose to use a metal structure. Metal structures are flexible and allow a diversity of shapes and sizes. However, taking questions such  as Building for Disassembly, economical efficiency  in to consideration we chose a grid structure as a basis for the building.

On the scale of the room, the idea of pinned connection manifested itself in the concept of movable walls and transforming spaces, which can react to different situations during their lifetime. Fixed between floor and ceiling, and once detached, being able to move along the dedicated rail system these walls represent the idea of motion inherent to hinged connection. 

On the larger scale, the principle of pinned connection or the hinge was used for spatial layout of apartments within the building. Both of them are held together by a system of longitudinal and transversal spatial pins which on one hand tie the building together allowing for connection of its parts and on the other hand bind the outside of the block with inside. Corridors serve as longitudinal pins and social spaces allow vertical connection between corridors on different levels. Social pins also provide a place for interaction between the residents and can have different functions like libraries, workshops, laundries.

Research: pinned connections