Academia.eduAcademia.edu

Figure 11 – uploaded by Franz Oswald

See full PDFdownloadDownload figure
Fig. 3. a) Rafael Guastavino standing on a newly built arch during construction of the Boston Public Library, Boston, Massachu- setts, 1889. [10] b) Guastavino Rib and Dome System, New York, 1902. [11]

Figure 3 a) Rafael Guastavino standing on a newly built arch during construction of the Boston Public Library, Boston, Massachu- setts, 1889. [10] b) Guastavino Rib and Dome System, New York, 1902. [11]

Related Figures (39)

Design-Revolution in Architecture and it: Impact on Development
Design-Revolution in Architecture and it: Impact on Development
INSIDE THIS ISSUE The Problem and Potential of Sustainable Design in Resource Poor Settings: Cases from Rwanda
INSIDE THIS ISSUE The Problem and Potential of Sustainable Design in Resource Poor Settings: Cases from Rwanda
Fig. 1. b-c a) Traditional dwellings/huts as they can be found in rural Ethiopia b) built with found corrugated metal, and c) with Eucalyptus wood and plaste ( Amhara region); and two versions of newly built houses: d mud with a corrugated metal roof.
Fig. 1. b-c a) Traditional dwellings/huts as they can be found in rural Ethiopia b) built with found corrugated metal, and c) with Eucalyptus wood and plaste ( Amhara region); and two versions of newly built houses: d mud with a corrugated metal roof.
Fig. 3. Three methods of brick vault construction [7]: a) Northern European vaults require extensive wooden centering; b) pitched brick vaults, built in North Africa and Mexico, eliminate the need for centering; and c) Mediterranean tile vaults may be con- without centering.
Fig. 3. Three methods of brick vault construction [7]: a) Northern European vaults require extensive wooden centering; b) pitched brick vaults, built in North Africa and Mexico, eliminate the need for centering; and c) Mediterranean tile vaults may be con- without centering.
This paper discusses the potential of tile-vaulted systems which make use of local material, and follow the tradition of compressed earth block (CEB) construction in Africa to meet the need for more sustainable construction technol- ogy in the field of low-cost housing. Fig. 2. a) First completed vault of the Mapungubwe project in South Africa (Image credit: James Bellamy); b) Unreinforced thin-tilec floor system of housing prototype for Ethiopia: simple barrel vault with stiffening diaphragms (Image credit: Lara Davis).
This paper discusses the potential of tile-vaulted systems which make use of local material, and follow the tradition of compressed earth block (CEB) construction in Africa to meet the need for more sustainable construction technol- ogy in the field of low-cost housing. Fig. 2. a) First completed vault of the Mapungubwe project in South Africa (Image credit: James Bellamy); b) Unreinforced thin-tilec floor system of housing prototype for Ethiopia: simple barrel vault with stiffening diaphragms (Image credit: Lara Davis).
cessive formwork (centering) should be avoided to pro- tect scarce timber resources in many African locations. Mediterranean tile vaulting (Figure 3.c) makes use of thin ceramic tiles for structural vaults in which minimal centering is required during construction. This type of construction flourished in medieval Spain, and was suc- cessfully imported to the United States by the Spanish immigrant, architect and engineer, Rafael Guastavino (1842-1908). [1] The R. Guastavino Company built thou- sands of thin-shelled masonry vaults in the late 19th and early 20th century, including such prominent build- ings as the Terminal of Grand Central Station and the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City and the Boston Public Library. With high load capacity, fire resis- tance, and long spans, these structures were a cost- effective solution to spanning space.
cessive formwork (centering) should be avoided to pro- tect scarce timber resources in many African locations. Mediterranean tile vaulting (Figure 3.c) makes use of thin ceramic tiles for structural vaults in which minimal centering is required during construction. This type of construction flourished in medieval Spain, and was suc- cessfully imported to the United States by the Spanish immigrant, architect and engineer, Rafael Guastavino (1842-1908). [1] The R. Guastavino Company built thou- sands of thin-shelled masonry vaults in the late 19th and early 20th century, including such prominent build- ings as the Terminal of Grand Central Station and the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City and the Boston Public Library. With high load capacity, fire resis- tance, and long spans, these structures were a cost- effective solution to spanning space.
Fig. 4. a) Layered tile construction at Mapungubwe (Credit James Bellamy) b) Tile vaulting, built from multiple layers of thin bricks laid flat [9] merely fashionable. Such frugal practice is rapidly becom- ing a necessity again. This system employs typically three layers of thin brick, the first of which is set with a fast- setting Plaster-of-Paris mortar, with subsequent layers built with a typical cementitious mortar. The tiling pattern is altered in each layer to prevent tile joints from being continuous between layers and to establish a strong structural bond (Figure 4). The flat bricks are typically 3cm thick.
Fig. 4. a) Layered tile construction at Mapungubwe (Credit James Bellamy) b) Tile vaulting, built from multiple layers of thin bricks laid flat [9] merely fashionable. Such frugal practice is rapidly becom- ing a necessity again. This system employs typically three layers of thin brick, the first of which is set with a fast- setting Plaster-of-Paris mortar, with subsequent layers built with a typical cementitious mortar. The tiling pattern is altered in each layer to prevent tile joints from being continuous between layers and to establish a strong structural bond (Figure 4). The flat bricks are typically 3cm thick.
the Guastavino Company was particularly successful with their very efficient floor system (Figure 5). Its rein- vention in the African context is quite appropriate as it requires minimal steel reinforcement and formwork and makes use of readily available, low strength, soil materi- als. Most critically, it allows for a structurally sound, multi-story construction to address urban density.
the Guastavino Company was particularly successful with their very efficient floor system (Figure 5). Its rein- vention in the African context is quite appropriate as it requires minimal steel reinforcement and formwork and makes use of readily available, low strength, soil materi- als. Most critically, it allows for a structurally sound, multi-story construction to address urban density.
A barrel vault needs linear edge supports to receive the horizontal thrust exerted by the vault. To avoid the trans: mission of these horizontal forces in the walls, the twc reinforced concrete edge “beams” are tied back with fou steel tension ties, spaced at intervals of approximatel) two bays.
A barrel vault needs linear edge supports to receive the horizontal thrust exerted by the vault. To avoid the trans: mission of these horizontal forces in the walls, the twc reinforced concrete edge “beams” are tied back with fou steel tension ties, spaced at intervals of approximatel) two bays.
Fig. 7. a) Inverted hanging chain to find the shape of the compression-only vault, b) simple guidework and mason’s line, and c) building the vault into space without the need for formwork (Image credits: Lara Davis).
Fig. 7. a) Inverted hanging chain to find the shape of the compression-only vault, b) simple guidework and mason’s line, and c) building the vault into space without the need for formwork (Image credits: Lara Davis).
Fig. 8. Aselection of imported - hence expensive - building materials in current “low-cost” projects: a) Precision timber for formwork; b) precision formwork for columns and edge beams; c) interior panels (Made in China); and d) reinforcement steel and Portland ce- ment for concrete.
Fig. 8. Aselection of imported - hence expensive - building materials in current “low-cost” projects: a) Precision timber for formwork; b) precision formwork for columns and edge beams; c) interior panels (Made in China); and d) reinforcement steel and Portland ce- ment for concrete.
nities, and local labourers can easily be trained to master the constructional practices required. The main challenge is to se t up the necessary institutions that support train- ing programs and entrepreneurial activities and improve access and cul to credit and investment. Furthermore, political tural aspects must be taken into account to en- able such a building technology to take root on a regional scale, including the social, political and religious structure of local eadership. The learning curve is quite steep when one considers all of the critical aspects of construction. It is extremely important, for example, to understand the sequence of construction. One must always build in stable sections, carefully following geometrical guides throughout the construction. A partial or full collapse may occur (and have occurred) when these important aspects are for- gotten. A fully constructed masonry vault is structurally robust if designed properly, but certain states in the con- struction sequence are less secure than others. Thus, critical supervision, quality control, and a robust training program are necessary. Fig. 8. The floor system in the Mapungubwe project uses a) structural vaults as permanent formwork for b) a mass concrete floor. C) This floor can be built without formwork and significantly reduces the amount of reinforcement steel necessary. In the Mapungubwe project, the edge beams are made in reinforced concrete. (Image credits: James Bellamy.)
nities, and local labourers can easily be trained to master the constructional practices required. The main challenge is to se t up the necessary institutions that support train- ing programs and entrepreneurial activities and improve access and cul to credit and investment. Furthermore, political tural aspects must be taken into account to en- able such a building technology to take root on a regional scale, including the social, political and religious structure of local eadership. The learning curve is quite steep when one considers all of the critical aspects of construction. It is extremely important, for example, to understand the sequence of construction. One must always build in stable sections, carefully following geometrical guides throughout the construction. A partial or full collapse may occur (and have occurred) when these important aspects are for- gotten. A fully constructed masonry vault is structurally robust if designed properly, but certain states in the con- struction sequence are less secure than others. Thus, critical supervision, quality control, and a robust training program are necessary. Fig. 8. The floor system in the Mapungubwe project uses a) structural vaults as permanent formwork for b) a mass concrete floor. C) This floor can be built without formwork and significantly reduces the amount of reinforcement steel necessary. In the Mapungubwe project, the edge beams are made in reinforced concrete. (Image credits: James Bellamy.)
Sited at the confluence of the Limpopo and Shashe Riv- ers in far northern South Africa, the Mapungubwe Na- tional Park celebrates the UNESCO World Heritage site in the context of a natural setting that re-establishes the indigenous fauna and flora of this region. [Figure 2 Park View] The park has been assembled from private land in the past few decades, and there are long-term plans to create an international peace park joining wild-lands Mapungubwe National Park, on South Africa’s northern border with Botswana and Zimbabwe, celebrates the Mapungubwe Kingdom, an ancient civilisation and trad- ing culture linked to the Great Zimbabwe. It is a UNESCO World Heritage cultural landscape and a game reserve of stunning natural resources. South African National Parks assembled the park from private land in
Sited at the confluence of the Limpopo and Shashe Riv- ers in far northern South Africa, the Mapungubwe Na- tional Park celebrates the UNESCO World Heritage site in the context of a natural setting that re-establishes the indigenous fauna and flora of this region. [Figure 2 Park View] The park has been assembled from private land in the past few decades, and there are long-term plans to create an international peace park joining wild-lands Mapungubwe National Park, on South Africa’s northern border with Botswana and Zimbabwe, celebrates the Mapungubwe Kingdom, an ancient civilisation and trad- ing culture linked to the Great Zimbabwe. It is a UNESCO World Heritage cultural landscape and a game reserve of stunning natural resources. South African National Parks assembled the park from private land in
Figure 3 - side view up stream
Figure 3 - side view up stream
clay bricks with less energy-intensive stabilised earth tiles. The tiles are made of local earth and sand mixed with 5% cement and pressed using a modified Hydra- form block press. The modification allows thin tile production from a standard press on reusable plywood blanks. The tiles are weak, but strong enough for the structural application. They must be handled carefully, and are susceptible to damage from transport and water. Although the tiles have some disadvantages, for this project they are the most appropriate solution to building in the local context. The structural forms of the shells were designed to have low stresses of about 1.5 MPa acting in compression only, because the soil- cement tiles can only withstand about 5 MPa. While stabilised earth has a well-established tradition with close links to sustainable practice, at Mapungubwe it
clay bricks with less energy-intensive stabilised earth tiles. The tiles are made of local earth and sand mixed with 5% cement and pressed using a modified Hydra- form block press. The modification allows thin tile production from a standard press on reusable plywood blanks. The tiles are weak, but strong enough for the structural application. They must be handled carefully, and are susceptible to damage from transport and water. Although the tiles have some disadvantages, for this project they are the most appropriate solution to building in the local context. The structural forms of the shells were designed to have low stresses of about 1.5 MPa acting in compression only, because the soil- cement tiles can only withstand about 5 MPa. While stabilised earth has a well-established tradition with close links to sustainable practice, at Mapungubwe it
Figure 6 - Headquarters under construction
Figure 6 - Headquarters under construction
Figure 7 - workers test vaults
Figure 7 - workers test vaults
tion of the construction rates of each type of vault is in- cluded in Table 1. [TABLE 1 - Vault Costs] On an individ- ual basis, however, the construction in South Africa used about 3 times as much labour per m2 as at the Pines Calyx, but overall was a quarter of the cost. The hand- made tiles of the Pines Calyx were expensive at about £2.50 (30 Rand) each, while the tiles in South Africa cost about 2 Rand each. Compared to conventional tiles in the UK, the South African construction is about 1/3 the cost of the UK construction. 10. Costs The vaults cost about $110/m2 of vault, at a construc- tion rate of 31 hours/ m2. By comparison, the Pines Calyx, a vaulted building in England designed by some of the same team members, took 20 hours/ m2 and cost about $450/ m2 [10]. A more detailed quantifica-
tion of the construction rates of each type of vault is in- cluded in Table 1. [TABLE 1 - Vault Costs] On an individ- ual basis, however, the construction in South Africa used about 3 times as much labour per m2 as at the Pines Calyx, but overall was a quarter of the cost. The hand- made tiles of the Pines Calyx were expensive at about £2.50 (30 Rand) each, while the tiles in South Africa cost about 2 Rand each. Compared to conventional tiles in the UK, the South African construction is about 1/3 the cost of the UK construction. 10. Costs The vaults cost about $110/m2 of vault, at a construc- tion rate of 31 hours/ m2. By comparison, the Pines Calyx, a vaulted building in England designed by some of the same team members, took 20 hours/ m2 and cost about $450/ m2 [10]. A more detailed quantifica-
fresh volume of air, which is measured in air changes per hour. The Butaro District Hospital uses a natural ventila- tion system to attain the same ends by utilizing architec- tural techniques that do not rely on imported advanced technologies and that are cost effective, easily replicated, adapted to local constraints, and that consume minimal amounts of energy. According to research conducted by Roderick Escombe, using such strategies can increase air changes per hour up to twice the amount that mechanical ventilation can provide [3]. Additionally, by including isolation rooms for the most severe TB patients and by separating doctor and pa- tient circulation as much as possible, the risk of infec- tion is lower for people in the hospital who are not al- ready suffering from airborne disease. In addition to these integrated architectural techniques, ultraviolet (UV) lights are used in waiting areas because UV lights help to kill airborne contaminates.
fresh volume of air, which is measured in air changes per hour. The Butaro District Hospital uses a natural ventila- tion system to attain the same ends by utilizing architec- tural techniques that do not rely on imported advanced technologies and that are cost effective, easily replicated, adapted to local constraints, and that consume minimal amounts of energy. According to research conducted by Roderick Escombe, using such strategies can increase air changes per hour up to twice the amount that mechanical ventilation can provide [3]. Additionally, by including isolation rooms for the most severe TB patients and by separating doctor and pa- tient circulation as much as possible, the risk of infec- tion is lower for people in the hospital who are not al- ready suffering from airborne disease. In addition to these integrated architectural techniques, ultraviolet (UV) lights are used in waiting areas because UV lights help to kill airborne contaminates.
changes at the policy level for standards in the design of medical facilities are imperative to creating appro- priate infrastructural solutions in public health. These strategies reveal that there can be a reverberant eco- nomic, social, and environmental impact from rela- tively low-tech concepts that are locally appropriate and distributed easily, inexpensively, and repetitively. Post-occupancy assessments are soon to be con- ducted to better evaluate the successes and shortcom- ings of the project based on the function of the in- tended passive systems and feedback from doctors and patients. With this in mind, the team has estab- ished a weather station and research project to as- sess the performance of the natural ventilation sys- tem, recognizing that adjustments and better under- standing of its performance in practice will improve designs in the future.
changes at the policy level for standards in the design of medical facilities are imperative to creating appro- priate infrastructural solutions in public health. These strategies reveal that there can be a reverberant eco- nomic, social, and environmental impact from rela- tively low-tech concepts that are locally appropriate and distributed easily, inexpensively, and repetitively. Post-occupancy assessments are soon to be con- ducted to better evaluate the successes and shortcom- ings of the project based on the function of the in- tended passive systems and feedback from doctors and patients. With this in mind, the team has estab- ished a weather station and research project to as- sess the performance of the natural ventilation sys- tem, recognizing that adjustments and better under- standing of its performance in practice will improve designs in the future.
From a systems theory point of view, self-sustaining ur- ban environments are a dynamic construct consisting of borders, dense or lose stationary stocks (e.g. congrega- tion of people, buildings, waste or data storages), dense or lose flows (e.g. people, water, air, energy, goods, data) and processes that lead to the transformation of stocks, flows and other urban dimensions. A balanced system of exchange establishes an equilibrium between immigra- tion and emigration, as well as exports and imports. trol for drought and flood and the shrinking size of arable land per inhabitant are threatening agricultural and environmental sustainability.
From a systems theory point of view, self-sustaining ur- ban environments are a dynamic construct consisting of borders, dense or lose stationary stocks (e.g. congrega- tion of people, buildings, waste or data storages), dense or lose flows (e.g. people, water, air, energy, goods, data) and processes that lead to the transformation of stocks, flows and other urban dimensions. A balanced system of exchange establishes an equilibrium between immigra- tion and emigration, as well as exports and imports. trol for drought and flood and the shrinking size of arable land per inhabitant are threatening agricultural and environmental sustainability.
Figure 3. BURANEST town plan - NESTOWN model adapted to real site
Figure 3. BURANEST town plan - NESTOWN model adapted to real site
ance. In this scheme all the funds allocated by the gov- ernment have to be matched by contributions from the dwellers. But since the allocation of the matching fund was decided top-down it is not surprising that the dwellers felt a sort of imposition and no sense of real ownership. The lack of upkeep and maintenance of upgraded roads and other infrastructure is a result of this [17]. help them improve their goods and services up to a standard required to become a local supplier for the large firm. Instead the government plans everything without really consulting the local private sector. It prefers to leave the implementation to neighborhood and kebele development committees reflecting the city administration’s effort to decentralize govern-
ance. In this scheme all the funds allocated by the gov- ernment have to be matched by contributions from the dwellers. But since the allocation of the matching fund was decided top-down it is not surprising that the dwellers felt a sort of imposition and no sense of real ownership. The lack of upkeep and maintenance of upgraded roads and other infrastructure is a result of this [17]. help them improve their goods and services up to a standard required to become a local supplier for the large firm. Instead the government plans everything without really consulting the local private sector. It prefers to leave the implementation to neighborhood and kebele development committees reflecting the city administration’s effort to decentralize govern-
age system and 25% of the dwellers have no private or shared toilets. The contents of pit latrines or septic tanks are supposed to be collected and dumped by municipal suction trucks but their numbers and ser- vices are inadequate leading to overflowing of pit la- trines in areas with limited access to roads. Again pri- vate operators have jumped in to address the problem but since this business is capital-intensive they charge more than those who dispose solid waste [18]. It would be odd to describe these local operators as people ‘meaningfully involved’ [1, p48]. They are simply re- sponding to a need and hope to be able to carve out a living from it. Community-based infrastructure upgrading has neverthe- less achieved a lot over the past ten years to improve drainage and other infrastructure necessities in the city but mainly thanks to private initiatives within the slums. One interesting development in this context is the increas- ing participation of the private sector in collection and dis- posal of solid waste. It is based on door-to-door collection of solid waste for households that are willing to pay a nominal charge (about one US dollar per month). They pick up the waste and bring it to the nearest municipal garbage dump so that it can be picked up by municipal trucks [18]. This type of business creates employment for the locals and makes a substantial contribution to the provision of a public service. Since 90% (by volume) of the solid waste is organic matter the business could even further be devel- oped by the composting of such waste and sell it as or- ganic fertilizer to the numerous urban dwellers that main- tain a garden in the backyard to grow food. Moreover it could address the problem of overflowing landfills not just by introducing composting and better forms of recycling but also the generation of biogas. This would however again require the experience and ingenuity of local entre- preneurs combined with technological know-how from foreign companies. The government could then be the broker to facilitate such collaboration.
age system and 25% of the dwellers have no private or shared toilets. The contents of pit latrines or septic tanks are supposed to be collected and dumped by municipal suction trucks but their numbers and ser- vices are inadequate leading to overflowing of pit la- trines in areas with limited access to roads. Again pri- vate operators have jumped in to address the problem but since this business is capital-intensive they charge more than those who dispose solid waste [18]. It would be odd to describe these local operators as people ‘meaningfully involved’ [1, p48]. They are simply re- sponding to a need and hope to be able to carve out a living from it. Community-based infrastructure upgrading has neverthe- less achieved a lot over the past ten years to improve drainage and other infrastructure necessities in the city but mainly thanks to private initiatives within the slums. One interesting development in this context is the increas- ing participation of the private sector in collection and dis- posal of solid waste. It is based on door-to-door collection of solid waste for households that are willing to pay a nominal charge (about one US dollar per month). They pick up the waste and bring it to the nearest municipal garbage dump so that it can be picked up by municipal trucks [18]. This type of business creates employment for the locals and makes a substantial contribution to the provision of a public service. Since 90% (by volume) of the solid waste is organic matter the business could even further be devel- oped by the composting of such waste and sell it as or- ganic fertilizer to the numerous urban dwellers that main- tain a garden in the backyard to grow food. Moreover it could address the problem of overflowing landfills not just by introducing composting and better forms of recycling but also the generation of biogas. This would however again require the experience and ingenuity of local entre- preneurs combined with technological know-how from foreign companies. The government could then be the broker to facilitate such collaboration.
580 California St., Suite 400
San Francisco, CA, 94104
© 2025 Academia. All rights reserved