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| News of prefab happenings. |
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Prefab dwellings available now. |
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Prefab projects in development. |
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| Arch. School prefab projects |
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| For shipping container enthusiasts. |
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Other non-modernist projects. |
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Books, articles, links. |
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The fabprefab discussion boards. |
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modular, modernist... say what? |
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Interview: Resolution: 4 Architecture
In July 2006 we spoke to Joseph Tanney AIA of Resolution: 4 Architecture
Go to the Resolution: 4 Architecture Status Page
| fpf | Resolution: 4 Architecture won an Innovation in Housing Design award from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) in 2006 for your modern modular methodology. Can you tell us about your approach to design and the importance you place on "diversity within modularity" | ||||
| JT |
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| fpf | Your
homes are based on timber frame modular systems. What are your views on the sustainability of timber and other materials you use? |
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| JT | The
majority of modular manufacturers utilize conventional wood framing and platform
construction in a factory environment. The systematic methods and assembly-line
standards maximize material efficiency, thus reducing the amount of lumber and
labor used for each project. In addition, most of our projects now employ engineered
lumber, a stronger and more stable product that uses 60% less wood fiber than
solid-sawn joists.
The true sustainability lies in the efficiency of the factory and the lack of waste. Also wood is a renewal material, and thus, when combined with healthy forest management, represents a sustainable material. When compared to structural steel framing, wood has a disadvantage in that it is not as easily recycled. But when one looks at the life cycle of wood compared to light gauge steel framing, it is important to note that steel requires metallic zinc for galvanization, generating a number of pollutants, and consuming many natural resources and more energy when produced. In addition, when used for small scale residential construction, one needs to understand the fact that steel is much more conductive of heat, creating a thermal bridge that can, if not detailed properly, affect the energy consumption over the life of the home. So at this time we see wood, when properly harvested, as having a smaller "ecological footprint". In addition to leveraging exisiting prefabrication methods of
delivery, we use a number of sustainable practices and materials in the design
of our homes. Most significant is our ability to respond to each site specifically
in terms of solar orientation and footprint, maximizing each site's micro-climate.
Off-site construction reduces time that construction crews are on site, minimizing
the impact on natural ecosystems and decreasing waste deposited on or near the
site. We are currently working on several projects with alternative energy sources, specifically photovoltaic solar panels, so we can accomplish net-metering, and geo-thermal, using the earth's thermal mass to cool the home (we're finding that is not as efficient when used for heating). Green roofs are also something we are now incorporating into several projects. Sustainable practices and use of materials are ongoing investigations for us. We have much to learn in terms of a product's overall environmental impact over the life-cycle of not only the product itself, but also the home in its entirety. |
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| fpf | You have worked with a range of modular fabricators over the past few years. Have you noticed any change in attitude from the modular industry in terms of their perspective on working with architects on innovative dwellings? | ||||
| JT |
In the beginning of our research and calling on manufacturers, 8 out of 10 would (politely) tell us to go jump in a lake when we presented our ideas. And once they did understand that they could build our stuff without clogging the assembly line, they couldn't understand why anyone would want to live in something so 'ugly'. But we were able to wedge our foot in the door by getting The Dwell Home built, and since then, we have been fortunate to have built with five different high-end modular manufacturers. Some are starting to see that another potential market, one that is interested in modernism, is emerging. I think that as long as we as architects continue to work within the industry's 'standards', the shift will continue. |
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| fpf | In 2005 you announced a partnership with Empyrean International and Dwell magazine to offer The Dwell Home by Empyrean. Can you tell us how the home you offer with Empyrean differs from your winning entry in The Dwell Home invitational and also the issues involved with reconfiguring your designs for a panelized fabricator. | ||||
| JT | The
Resolution: 4 Architecture Dwell Home by Empyrean is a panelized version of our
original prototype that was designed and built as a modular in North Carolina.
As part of The Dwell Homes by Empyrean program, we offer modified versions of the Resolution: 4 Architecture Beach House and the Resolution: 4 Architecture Suburban, as standard models that can be purchased directly through Empyrean. We also have a new typology in the works we call The Vessel, designed specifically to leverage Empyrean's panelized method of delivery. |
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| fpf | To what extent has your non-Empyrean business been constrained in growth and geographic reach by the lack of suitable modular fabricators? | ||||
| JT | We
have found that the majority of modular manufacturers in the US, that are capable
and willing to build a custom and high-end residential product, are located in
the northeast, specifically in PA. The further south and west we looked, we found
the quantity and quality of modular residential manufacturers began to diminish.
So although our modular built efforts have been limited to the east coast, our
modular knowledge and experience has grown in many ways because of this focused
effort. In terms of our geographic reach, teaming up with Dwell and Empyrean allows us to deliver our designs internationally. We currently have a number of projects in the works on the west coast and the midwest, and look forward to more opportunities. |
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| fpf | People familiar with your modular work might associate your firm primarily with single family dwellings in bucolic settings. Is this a fair assesment and do you have plans for using prefab with other building types? | ||||
| JT |
It's interesting, yes, all of our modern modular work have been free-standing homes in rural or sub-urban settings. Yet the majority of work we have completed since starting our practice in 1990, has been urban and here at home in New York City. That might be starting to change, in that we are currently working on one project that has a foot in each camp, a free-standing modern modular home in New York City, the Bronx Box. |
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| fpf | Thanks for talking to fabprefab Joe, we will continue to follow the work of Resolution: 4 Architecture | ||||
| JT | Thank you. | ||||
2003-2006