Technology
Technology is anything that mediates between us and the world. An umbrella, a sentence, and a rifle are all technology. We do not want to live in a totally unmediated reality nor in a totally mediated reality. Articulating that ballance is one of the most critical challenges of our time.
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Agricultural Structures
Food is a more immediate need than shelter and so it is not suprising that structures built for growing food remain some of our most advanced technologies of enclosure. Each design is the product of focused research and investment that outstrips any residential or commercial building project. Designs are deployed on a broad scale, in varying environments, repeated, and tried again. With so many test-cases - repetition, feedback, adjustment - designs have become extremely refined. The risks are lower than in inhabited structures, and there are no aesthetic styles to contend with. Greenhouse structures are driven by economy; enclosing the maximum space with a minimum of material, allowing maximum light, maximum air, with the maximum degree of conrtol, and creating at lowest cost a structure which will endure for the longest time. Should not these be the same goals for the homes of today.
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Open Roof Greenhouse
Because of the cost
of fuel, most growers aim to regulate temperature using sun, wind, and
evaporation alone. This leads to a multitude of operable components,
shades, vents, sliding panels, louvers, etc. The most advanced in this line is that of the open roof structure pictured. This structure
is able to achieve complete equilibrium with external conditions when
temperate while providing complete enclosure from cold and snow.
![]()
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Advanced solar shading in facade design from In Detail - Solar Architecure
![]()
Advanced solar shading in facade design from In Detail - Solar Architecure
Bar Joist
Spanning members made of steel angle and standard steel rod allow for
long spans at light weight and low cost by using an inately structural ge-
ometry. Can be utilized with typical steel post and girder framing or set on
load bearing masonry walls.
![]()
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Space Frame
Light weight two way spanning system capable of long spans. Derives
its remarkable strength to weight ratio from it tructural geometry. Can be
delivered as a kit of components and erected quickly in the field. Some space frames are being used as alternative building foundations distributing building loads over many points while touching down lightly and avoiding the heavy excavation and concrete work of traditional foundations
Technology
Technology is anything that mediates between us and the world. An umbrella, a sentence, and a rifle are all technology. We do not want to live in a totally unmediated reality nor in a totally mediated reality. Articulating that ballance is one of the most critical challenges of our time.
![]()
Agricultural Structures
Food is a more immediate need than shelter and so it is not suprising that structures built for growing food remain some of our most advanced technologies of enclosure. Each design is the product of focused research and investment that outstrips any residential or commercial building project. Designs are deployed on a broad scale, in varying environments, repeated, and tried again. With so many test-cases - repetition, feedback, adjustment - designs have become extremely refined. The risks are lower than in inhabited structures, and there are no aesthetic styles to contend with. Greenhouse structures are driven by economy; enclosing the maximum space with a minimum of material, allowing maximum light, maximum air, with the maximum degree of conrtol, and creating at lowest cost a structure which will endure for the longest time. Should not these be the same goals for the homes of today.
![]()
![]()
Open Roof Greenhouse
Because of the cost
of fuel, most growers aim to regulate temperature using sun, wind, and
evaporation alone. This leads to a multitude of operable components,
shades, vents, sliding panels, louvers, etc. The most advanced in this line is that of the open roof structure pictured. This structure
is able to achieve complete equilibrium with external conditions when
temperate while providing complete enclosure from cold and snow.
![]()
![]()
Advanced solar shading in facade design from In Detail - Solar Architecure
![]()
Advanced solar shading in facade design from In Detail - Solar Architecure
Bar Joist
Spanning members made of steel angle and standard steel rod allow for
long spans at light weight and low cost by using an inately structural ge-
ometry. Can be utilized with typical steel post and girder framing or set on
load bearing masonry walls.
![]()
![]()
![]()
Space Frame
Light weight two way spanning system capable of long spans. Derives
its remarkable strength to weight ratio from it tructural geometry. Can be
delivered as a kit of components and erected quickly in the field. Some space frames are being used as alternative building foundations distributing building loads over many points while touching down lightly and avoiding the heavy excavation and concrete work of traditional foundations
Agricultural Structures
Food is a more immediate need than shelter and so it is not suprising that structures built for growing food remain some of our most advanced technologies of enclosure. Each design is the product of focused research and investment that outstrips any residential or commercial building project. Designs are deployed on a broad scale, in varying environments, repeated, and tried again. With so many test-cases - repetition, feedback, adjustment - designs have become extremely refined. The risks are lower than in inhabited structures, and there are no aesthetic styles to contend with. Greenhouse structures are driven by economy; enclosing the maximum space with a minimum of material, allowing maximum light, maximum air, with the maximum degree of conrtol, and creating at lowest cost a structure which will endure for the longest time. Should not these be the same goals for the homes of today.
Open Roof Greenhouse
Because of the cost of fuel, most growers aim to regulate temperature using sun, wind, and evaporation alone. This leads to a multitude of operable components, shades, vents, sliding panels, louvers, etc. The most advanced in this line is that of the open roof structure pictured. This structure is able to achieve complete equilibrium with external conditions when temperate while providing complete enclosure from cold and snow.
Advanced solar shading in facade design from In Detail - Solar Architecure
Advanced solar shading in facade design from In Detail - Solar Architecure
Bar Joist
Spanning members made of steel angle and standard steel rod allow for long spans at light weight and low cost by using an inately structural ge- ometry. Can be utilized with typical steel post and girder framing or set on load bearing masonry walls.
Space Frame
Light weight two way spanning system capable of long spans. Derives its remarkable strength to weight ratio from it tructural geometry. Can be delivered as a kit of components and erected quickly in the field. Some space frames are being used as alternative building foundations distributing building loads over many points while touching down lightly and avoiding the heavy excavation and concrete work of traditional foundations
The School of Constructive Arts is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. We support resilient communities and encourage individuals to study, experiment, and advance models for building and living in healthy relation to the natural environment.
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