Special Mention – 2007 Housing Competition
Project by: Federico Rossi

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This project focuses on the development of new housing typology in Oman, generated through the accumulation of independent variables into a system of relationships, where the interdependencies generate a variation of possibilities that is able to adapt to local conditions. The development of inhabitable units will be dependent on environmental variables and eco-sustainable principles to achieve new spatial and per formative configurations.

The housing unit will use a rhomboid framework constrained within two strips to produce a parametric model. Through the control of the width, length, and thickness of the surface it is possible to create a responsive inhabitable unit that increases the wall thickness in high temperatures and deforms the rhomboid framework according to internal pressure and wind velocity.

The idea of improving the light conditions and creating different micro climate areas inside the unit was solved with the use of local materials (limestone) and simple manufacturing techniques. Cutting the stone in different sizes that respond to the variation of solar radiation along a surface is possible thanks to complex geometries, such as the arch. 

To create a two bedroom unit only eight cubic meters of limestone are necessary; the waste cut will be used to create mixed concrete for the foundation.

The proliferation of the units on the site will be driven from a quarry organization. By arraying the units along the contour lines of the topography it is possible to control the quantity of materials that will be cut from the landscape. The space between the units will be used for water collection during heavy rain storms.

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One Response to “Eco-Sustainable Housing – Parametric Design”

  1. AA says:

    “The idea of improving the light conditions and creating different micro climate areas inside the unit was solved with the use of local materials (limestone) and simple manufacturing techniques.”

    Nice research but sorry, but this is anything but simple, nor does it resolve even the basic needs of housing. I hope the limestone you’re talking about goes on the floor and it’s not the material used for the roof membrane..

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