Decomposing a Thesis // headwest

Chelsea Briganti, Ga-Ram Han, Sun Ki Jeon, Sun Min Lee

Headwest by Silka Glanzman

What is this project all about? What is it trying to accomplish?

People of American Rust Belt have left the area, leaving vacant homes to deteriorate and crumble. As a result, the homes are being torn down. This project is trying to accomplish the preservation of American Rust Belt, taking and deconstruction of material for re-use, rather than demolition and waste.

What is the "product"?

Headwest is a product"system" that responds to the economic climate of the Rust Belt community with the goal being to increase population of the area by building new modern homes, with modern composite materials.

What research methods were employed in the process?

Research methods that were in the process are studied areas, photographic surveys, population densities, wages and demographics, market research and why did people left the area.

How did research inform the design outcome?
Use of traditional design language into new material gives the home a modern yet familiar feel to them keeping the vernacular of old material.

What relationships were forged to support the development of this product?
Relationships were established with Buffalo Re-use, Build it Green! Urbanglass, and Fabricators.

What is the feasibility of this project?

Socially - Relief tension of urban population, creating community and jobs.

Environmentally- Materials are up cycled, and re-purposed.

Materially- Keeping vernacular architecture in re-purposed tiles.

Economically- Revitalizing old factories, new population creates more job opportunities.

Functionally- Contractor standpoint. Tiles are made to specific specs.


Sample Boards for Retail Distribution:

Revised Board: