TURTLE MOUNTAIN HOMES - SUMMARY - Harvard Universityresearch.gsd.harvard.edu/eed/files/2015/09/GSD-EED-Lab_Turtle-Mountain... · materials & supply chain: mass x distance / 16-26

TURTLE MOUNTAIN HOUSING RESEARCH AND PROTOTYPE DESIGN | EED LAB | PAGE 1

TURTLE MOUNTAIN HOMES - SUMMARY


The Energy, Environments & Design Research Lab based at the Harvard Graduate School of Design engaged in a six-month research project aimed at developing a site and need-specific housing prototype for the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians, with particular focus on minimizing reliance on off-site energy sources, and maximizing energy-effective spatial and material solut`ions. The research group - kindly supported by McKayla Gourneau and SaNoah Larocque, two TMBCI Harvard College students - analyzed the residential needs of the Turtle Mountain community. We then identified material and energetic resources available within the immediate proximity of the reservation, and eventually developed a set of material and spatial strategies for the design of the prototype.

We are convinced that a sustainable project must not only provide best environmental solutions and be economically affordable to the community, but it must also strive to consider the social and human dimension. For these reasons, we believe that the community should be involved in the decisions concerning the functional and spatial qualities of the housing prototype, and those concerned with the provision of materials, modalities of construction, and use of accumulated know-how. This research was developed with full respect for the local culture, and its aim is to encourage a sense of ownership and promote entrepreneurial opportunities that may arise from the need to build more houses. This material is not a definitive solution or plan but rather a research instrument which will help the community identify the most appropriate housing solutions for their current needs, and will provide an opportunity to develop new community-led initiatives.

The Turtle Mountain Team at the EED Research Lab, Harvard GSD.

ENERGY, ENVIRONMENTS & DESIGN RESEARCH LAB, HARVARD GRADUATE SCHOOL OF DESIGN

Supervision: Kiel Moe, Associate Professor of Architecture and Energy, Co-Director of the EED Research Lab.

Project Leader:Aleksandra Jaeschke, Doctor of Design Candidate ‘ 17.

Project Team:Sean Connelly MDes ’15; Benjamin Peek MDes ’16; Oliver Curtis MDes ’17.

Support / Community Survey: McKayla Gourneau, TMBCI, Harvard College '19; SaNoah Larocque, TMBCI, Harvard College '17.

PERIOD:September 2015 - January 2016

PROJECT FRAMEWORK


The aim of this research was to gather knowledge and generate specific design ideas to help the Turtle Mountain Community develop a new housing prtotype. We focused on minimizing reliance on off-site energy sources and expensive heating and cooling technologies while maximizing energy-effective spatial and material solutions. While focusing on the energetic agenda, we strived to create a sense of home, paying attention to comfort, intimacy, flexibility, and originality of spatial configurations. We engaged with the North Dakota landscape, in order to respect local culture, and the larger environment. Although this project had no particular site, it responds to the specificities of the climatic, economic, and cultural context of the Turtle Mountaion Reservation. The following criteria guided our decisions:

- Emergy and material ecology as one scale of energy- Thermal performance as another scale of energy- The relative hierarchy of these two scales of energy- Desire to minimize use of mechanical systems and maximize biophysical and climatic solutions- Care for practicality, comfort, evolution and growth of the house- Need for flexibility in multi-generational/non-traditional living arrangements- Care for the landscape, both in terms of the immediate site and the larger region of resources- Innovative approach to manufacturing and assembly- Use of local workforce and resources

RESEARCH REPORT / Contents List:

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF AVAILABLE CONSTRUCTION SYSTEMS / 4

Materials, Manufacturing & Assembly Methods: EMERGY / 5-15 Materials & Supply Chain: MASS x DISTANCE / 16-26

SUGGESTED CONSTRUCTION SYSTEM / 27

Wall Assemblies - Emergy & Material Ecology / 28 Wall Assemblies - Thermal Performance / 29 Wall Assemblies - Resource Availability / 30 Wall Assemblies - Local Knowledge & Workforce / 31 Wall Assemblies - Potential Manufacturing & Assembly Alternatives / 32 Roof Assemblies - Emergy & Material Ecology / 33 Foundation - Emergy & Material Ecology / 34

SPATIAL STRATEGIES / 35

Massing / 36 Functional Layouts / 37-38 Thermal Strategies / 39-42 Mechanical Service Core / 43 Spatial & Material Qualities / 44

IDEAS COMPETITION / 45-53

TEAM / 54

CORE IDEAS & CONTENTS


A Steel Plant

In this initial part of our research we concentrated on understanding quantities and qualities of energy required to build a simple residential unit using 6 common construction methods. We evaluated them from the point of view of EMERGY.

EMERGY refers to energy (or exergy) of one form or another that is required (directly or indirectly) as an input for the production of a product or process as an output. It considers large scale bio-geophysical processes of outputs. It uses a single unit to measure - this is called the solar emergy joule. While this is not only quantitative it boils systems down to a common denominator - a qualitative equalizer. It considers:1) raw material formation stages; 2) material production and product manufacturing formation stages; 3) construction formation stages; 4) use stages; and 5) end of use stages.

Consulted sources:- Braham, William W. 2016. Architecture and systems ecology: Thermodynamic principles of environmental building design in three parts. New York, NY: Routledge.- Buranakarn, V. 1998. Evaluation of Recycling and Reuse of Building Materials Using the Emergy Analysis Method. Doctoral Dissertation, University of Florida.- Odum, H.T. 1996. Environmental Accounting: Emergy and Decision Making. New York: Wiley.- Srinivasan, Ravi, and Kiel Moe. 2015. The Hierarchy of Energy in Architecture: Emergy Analysis. New York, NY: Routledge.

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF AVAILABLE CONSTRUCTION SYSTEMSMaterials, Manufacturing & Assembly Methods: EMERGY


Gypsum Wall Board 3/8”

32.9 cf

745,563.3 g

emerg

y: 1.1 E+16

2x4’ Softwood Lu

mber Studs

41.2 cf

654,635.6 g

emerg

y: 5.5 E+14

Plywood Sh

eathing 1/2”Rigid EPS In

sulation

242.9 cf

198,348.4 g

emerg

y: 1.76 E+15

Plywood Sh

eathing 1/2” (total)

113.2 cf

1,746,429.3 g

emerg

y: 2.1 E+15

Paper Air B

arrier

8.7 cf

173,164.5 g

emerg

y: 1.07 E+16

Hardi-Board Siding 3”

208.2 cf

5,195,002.9 g

emerg

y: 9.9 E+15

+

Adhesive

17.4 cf

1,0232.6 g

emerg

y: 3.89 E+12

SIP Panel 4 1/2”

1

23

4

5

7

6

8.00

E+16

6.00

E+16

4.00

E+16

2.00

E+16

0.00

E+00

EMER

GY

(seJ

)

SOLID WOOD

STRAW BALE

SIP PANELS

METAL FRAME

WOOD FRAME

PASSIVHAUS

20 0

00

15 0

00

10 0

00

5 00

0 0

MAS

S (k

g)

SOLID WOOD

STRAW BALE

SIP PANELS

METAL FRAME

WOOD FRAME

PASSIVHAUS

STRAW BALE

SIP PANELS

50 0

00

40 0

00

30 0

00

20 0

00

10 0

00 0

HEA

TIN

G L

OAD

(kBt

u/yr

)

SOLID WOOD

METAL FRAME

WOOD FRAME

PASSIVHAUS

Beop

t

SOFT

WAR

E

Des

ign

Build

er

4123

9

4703

1

2546

0

2272

0

2817

6

3031

1

3537

1

2972

0

3064

2

2936

6

2298

2

2517

1

WOOD STUD FRAME + SIP PANELS (SIP PANELS)

1

2

4 (+ 6)

57

3

R-VALUE: 16

SIP PANELS | Horizontal Section 1 1/2” - 1’ (1:8)

8 1/2”

CONSTRUCTION SYSTEMS: Materials, Manufacturing & Assembly Methods: Emergy


A Container Port

This part of our research focused on the material supply chain of the previously analyzed construction methods. We evaluated their impact from the point of view of OVERALL MASS and the DISTANCE that they must travel.

The MASS - DISTANCE (kg x miles) represented here as different line weights is the product of the individual material mass times the cumulative distance to Belcourt, ND from its origin. Typically, high mass bulk materials such as low-cost aggregates (i.e. sand and gravel) are available locally while more processed materials must travel further distance. Reducing the mass-distance factor is one way to lower the total emergy of a construction system, and hence its environemntal impact.

The Turtle Mountain reservation is located far from major population centers, and few building construction materials are produced within 250 miles. The following illustrations represent the present-day construction material supply chain as understood through conversations with local contractors and material suppliers as well as inferences from U.S. Geological Survey mineral commodities maps.

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF AVAILABLE CONSTRUCTION SYSTEMSMaterials & Supply Chain: MASS x DISTANCE


SIP (Sheathing)

Gypsum Wall Board

Hardi-Board Siding

SIP (Rigid Insulation)

SIP (Rigid Insulation)

SIP

Bismarck

Chicago

Detroit

Toronto

Calgary

Winnipeg

Edmonton

Cleveland

St. LouisKansas City

Minneapolis

FEDERAL BORDER

4.78

8760

e+01

6

TURT

LE M

OUNTA

IN RE

SERV

ATIO

NSoftwood Lumber

8.00

E+16

6.00

E+16

4.00

E+16

2.00

E+16

0.00

E+00

EMER

GY

(seJ

)

SOLID WOOD

STRAW BALE

SIP PANELS

METAL FRAME

WOOD FRAME

PASSIVHAUS

1.60

E+10

1.20

E+10

8.00

E+09

4.00

E+09

0.00

E+00

MAS

S x

DIS

TAN

CE

(kg

mile

s)

SOLID WOOD

STRAW BALE

SIP PANELS

METAL FRAME

WOOD FRAME

PASSIVHAUS

20 0

00

15 0

00

10 0

00

5 00

0 0

MAS

S (k

g)

SOLID WOOD

STRAW BALE

SIP PANELS

METAL FRAME

WOOD FRAME

PASSIVHAUS

WOOD STUD FRAME + SIP PANELS (SIP PANELS)

Concrete (Fly Ash) Product (Sub-Component)

Transport Route (thickness - kg x miles)

Production Plant

Total System Emergy

Individual Product Emergy

CONSTRUCTION SYSTEMS: Materials & Supply Chain: Mass x Distance


An exposed Straw insulation

Our initial research convinced as that the Turtle Mountain Community would best benefit from homes built using predominantly STRAW BALES. Local availability of this abundant agricultural by-product makes straw bale construction an affordable and sustainable alternative. Its thermal properties make it an excellent building material that can be easily manufactured, assembled, and eventually disposed of.

Straw bale construction can be positive for the environment at a longer temporal scale as well. Not only does its use help redirect building waste from landfill, but it also provides land with fertile soil sustaining local agriculture, and eventually with more straw available as a building product.

Our research suggests that straw bale construction can provide environmental, social, and economic advantages to the Turtle Mountain Community. As a region, the Dakota are one of the largest producers of winter wheat. Grain harvest by-products such as straw account for almost half of the crop yield and can be used in many different ways. We believe that the area could become the biggest producer of straw as a building material, and the Turtle Mountain community an important manufacturer of straw bale homes.

While building with straw has been around for centuries, its full potential has yet to be explored.

SUGGESTED CONSTRUCTION SYSTEM


FEDERAL BORDER

TURT

LE M

OUNTA

IN RE

SERV

ATIO

N

Cropland production ( incl. straw and flax )

Tribal Lands

The Turtle Mountain Reservation is surrounded by fields where wheat, grain, barley and oats are grown. Production of winter wheat is especially bountiful, and grain by-products (such as straw) account for almost half of the crop yield. This constitutes a resource yet to be fully exploited.

8.00

E+16

6.00

E+16

4.00

E+16

2.00

E+16

0.00

E+00

EMER

GY

(seJ

)

SOLID WOOD

STRAW BALE

SIP PANELS

METAL FRAME

WOOD FRAME

PASSIVHAUS

1.60

E+10

1.20

E+10

8.00

E+09

4.00

E+09

0.00

E+00

MAS

S x

DIS

TAN

CE

(kg

mile

s)

SOLID WOOD

STRAW BALE

SIP PANELS

METAL FRAME

WOOD FRAME

PASSIVHAUS

20 0

00

15 0

00

10 0

00

5 00

0 0

MAS

S (k

g)

SOLID WOOD

STRAW BALE

SIP PANELS

METAL FRAME

WOOD FRAME

PASSIVHAUS

STRAW BALE | Horizontal Section 1 1/2” - 1’ (1:8)

1'-7"

Straw Bales

RESOURCE AVAILABILITY

SUGGESTED CONSTRUCTION SYSTEM: Wall Assembly


Straw bale construction not only has low emergy but it also has social implications that other construction types do not necessarily yield. If straw can be seen as a building product, straw bales can be valued higher, and provide alternative work for farmers. Making straw bales requires little training and can be seen as an employment opportunity. The only precision in the assembly is the initial wooden framing that should be done by a skilled carpenter.

Straw bale construction assembly is also relatively simple and can be easily taught to local community members. In fact, the Turtle Mountain community has already successfully tested this method when building the Environmental Research Center at the Turtle Mountain Community College in 2004. The acquired knowledge and technical expertise could now be used not only to built the needed homes but also to develop a manufacturing plant which would positively contribute to the local economy.

STRAW BALE | Horizontal Section 1 1/2” - 1’ (1:8)

1'-7"

Environmental Research Center, Turtle Mountain Community CollegeTurtle Mountain Reservation, Belcourt, North Dakota, 2004

Built By: Red Feather Development Group with Turtle Mountain Community CollegeDesign Architect: Nathaniel Corum

Associate Architect: Place Architecture

TMCC Construction Team

Straw Bale Process, photo: S. Baumhower

TMCC Straw Bale Build Process, photo: Skip Baumhower

TMCC Environmental Research Center under Construction, photo: Nathaniel Corum

LOCAL KNOWLEDGE & WORKFORCE

SUGGESTED CONSTRUCTION SYSTEM: Wall Assembly


While in the previous sections we concentrated on the most effective construction system, this part of our research is meant to suggest a set of spatial strategies. Spatial distribution of functions, position of sources of heat, location of walls and openings, choice of finishes and colors can all improve the functional and thermal performance of a house while creating a unique aesthetic experience through a play of volumes and voids, light and shadow, and thanks to textures and colors. Operating spatially can help minimize use of expensive heating devices by activating a natural and renewable resource - the freely available heat from the sun.

The effectiveness of most of the presented strategies depends on the orientation of the house. In order to benefit from the heat of the winter sun and protect the house from the cold winds, the glazed elevation should face south ( within a ±15 degree range). The choice of glazing, the materials used to store the heat, and the presence of external shutters and internal curtains are also fundamental for the good functioning of these spatial strategies. Strategic use of color can also help achieve better results.

In our proposal, the ground floor provides a self-sufficient 2-bedroom unit, which can be transformed into a 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom house by rendering the attic habitable.

A potential addition of an independent garage can help protect the house if positioned on north side. While trees should not block the south facade, strategic planting of trees can reduce the impact of strong northwesterly wind.

SPATIAL STRATEGIES


SLIDING SHUTTERS

METAL ROOF

STUCCO

EAST FACING ENTRANCE

MASSING STRATEGY

SPATIAL STRATEGIES


2 3

8

6 5

4

7

1

North

South

MAIN FLOORNet Usable Square Feet: 1128 sqftNet Assignable Square Feet: 908 sqftNonessignable Square Feet: 220 sqft

1 - Entrance (41 sqft)

2 - Living & Dinning Area (434 sqft)3 - Kitchen Area (107 sqft)

4 - Bedroom 1 (157 sqft)5 - Bedroom 2 (157 sqft)6 - Bathroom (53 sqft)

7 - Corridor (113 sqft)8 - Mechanical Services & Laundry Area (66 sqft)

2 3

7

1

6 5

48

FUNCTIONALITY: MAIN FLOOR

SPATIAL STRATEGIES


ELECTRICITY (GRID / OFF-GRID)

WATER SUPPLY (CITY / RAIN WATER)

PRE-ASSEMBLED SERVICE CORE

SEWER (PARTIAL GREY WATER RECLAMATION (Toilets & Irrigation) / TREATMENT PLANT)

SINK

FRIDGE

WASHER / DRYER

STOVE

HEAT PUMP

TOILET

LAVABO

SHOWER

WATER HEATER

15’7”

7’6”

MECHANICAL SERVICES CORE

SPATIAL STRATEGIES


Harvard Graduate School of Design - Studio Space

While the team at the Energy, Environments, & Design Research Lab was working on spatial, material and energy strategies for the Turtle Mountain housing prototype, a design competiion open to all Harvard GSD students was launched to generate additional design ideas and development strategies.

We asked students to pay particular attention to minimizing reliance on expensive heating and cooling technologies, and maximizing energy-effective spatial and material solutions, while creating a sense of home and engaging with the local community, and the North Dakota landscape. All, in order to respect local culture, and the larger environment.

The following pages present two winning proposals. The first prize was awarded for a project which skillfully combined an idea for an individual housing prototype with a larger community-building strategy. The second prize was given to a team that proposed an unconventional way of organizing the interior space to provide functional flexibility and space for potential expansion.

IDEAS COMPETITION


1st Prize Winner:HOOP HOUSE HEAT EXCHANGEJustin Kollar and Chris Reznich

oikology / ecology = family, house, land

In consideration of a wholly integrated and sustainable human environment, we begin with the house. In the dwelling unit, we draw careful thought for the increasing scales of our ecological effects and energetic footprints. Starting with multiple possible family formations as basic social units, the proposal investigates how these dynamic groups come to shape the neighborhood, the community, and the territory as we invest our livelihoods.

By repositioning the humble, but technologically rich, hoop house, this proposal combines the use of sustainable materials with an organizational strategy invested in the simultaneous production of fresh foods and civic culture. Not only does the basic function of a hoop house contribute to higher food security in this frigid, isolated region, but the unit’s flexibility extends to offer new, social community space year-round. The hoop house becomes the neighborhood connector, neither just a mechanism for food production nor only a thermal technology; it is all of these at once. It becomes the glue that fixes families, livelihoods, and community aspirations together.

IDEAS COMPETITION: Community Building


2nd Prize Winner:HODENSOT / WIGWAM HOUSEAndrea Soto Morfin, Ruben Segovia JimenezAlejandro Guerrero Gutiérrez

Our proposal recovers the idea of a camp that can be found not only in the original tribes of the United States but in different human settlements of antiquity. Beyond a nostalgic attitude, we are trying to value a universal form also found in the Chippewa villages but under a typological transformation process that is able to meet the needs of modern life and respond to the cultural and climatic context. Thus our proposal consists of a series of individual dwelling boxes - one for each family generation – all of them take shelter under a large shed that serves as a great collective shelter, these two typologies resemble the original longhouse, the hodensot, and the temporal hut, the wigwam. The underlying idea is that of "community life" which is proper to the people of this tribe but simultaneously allows for privacy for individuals. Each of the compartments has an interior space for activities that require more privacy, but also allows the use of its roof as a balcony or mezzanine for other activities with a moderate degree of privacy, ultimately these dwellings could be arrange in different forms throughout the main shelter, and have the flexibility to expand in size and number if needed. Most importantly each of these individual shelters are arranged relative to the large common hearth, in the same way ancestral Native Americans have done for centuries.

IDEAS COMPETITION: Interior Flexibility


TURTLE MOUNTAIN HOMES - SUMMARY

Documents

TURTLE MOUNTAIN HOMES - SUMMARY - Harvard Universityresearch.gsd.harvard.edu/eed/files/2015/09/GSD-EED-Lab_Turtle-Mountain... · materials & supply chain: mass x distance / 16-26