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Element House by MOS

By Lisa Smith - April 7, 2010

in Object Culture

Proposed by MOS, Element House is "architecture for a new ecology," a novel prototype of domestic space and an unconventional pre-fab strategy.

The design utilizes the archetypal shape of a house—a rectangle topped by a triangle and a chimney. The form is extruded, modulated and compartmentalized through an outgrowth driven by the Fibonacci sequence, "a describer of developmental patterns in living organisms." By applying this mathematical algorithm, MOS explores the potential of re-combinatory forms in buildings. In this case, they've created a new type of domestic space: an open plan, permeated with variation by the nature of its growth.

The Fibonacci outgrowth, represented in an early model.

This project also examines the architectural role of the hearth. Gottfried Semper located it centrally in 1851; this was extended by Frank LLoyd Wright in 1951; and Robert Venturi used it iconographically in 1962. In 2010, MOS removes the hearth entirely, replacing it with a series of voids.

The hearth's absence doubles as a light well, bringing daylight and natural ventilation into the interior of the extruded form. The "objectified domestic technology" of the fireplace is replaced with an atmospheric inlet, bringing the light and weather from outside the house in. The decentralization of this system peppers the building with many opportunities for natural lighting, heating and cooling, bolstering its green credentials.

Here's a brief excerpt from the project description, elaborating on the above:

These empty chimney voids negate the objectified domestic technology in favor of focusing on latent atmospheric qualities and disembodied technology. As architectural practice and discourse comes to grips with the tethering contingent relationships between technology and the environment, the Element House demonstrates another relationship, wherein some things have more presence in their absence.

Through the reconfiguration of vernacular forms, the project proposes not only a new idea of a house, but also a new idea of a village. Where does one home end and the other begin? Element House "expands and contracts as necessary," accommodating multiple or extended families in a continuum of space and resources.

The homes would be completely "off the grid," operating independently of traditional utility services. The pre-fabricated modules, limited to a footprint of 1500 square feet maximum, would follow strict LEED design criteria.

The Museum of Outdoor Arts (MOA) in Denver, Colorado exhibits the project for the first time Saturday, April 10th. A talk by MOS Principals Michael Meredith and Hilary Sample will precede the opening reception.

A catalog, beautifully designed by Linked by Air, accompanies the exhibition. Comprehensive project discussion and imagery is supplemented by selected essays—our favorite is "Weird is Good," contributed by Filip Tejchman. Pick it up at the exhibition or order it directly from the MOA.

Finally, some exciting news: the Museum plans on building a first prototype this summer, so stay tuned.

Element House: Architecture for a New Ecology April 20-August 14, 2010 Museum of Outdoor Arts Denver, Colorado

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Bingo Bango

14 years ago

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Masood - that's why architects use models and drawings as a way of exploring the concept design.

The other things you mention will come along as the design process develops.

If we consider only the waterproofing, the fuelling of trucks and the anchoring of the foundations then we will all live in a simple grey box. You may be allowed to paint your box a different colour right enough.

Fantastic project!
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Ro Po

14 years ago

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Reminds me of two points vis a vis Frank Lloyd Wright. 1. There was a philosophy behind his work - maybe over-rated as a philosophy, but created beautiful work. 2. At Taliesin West, I was shown where buildings had failings [structural for example], but the intent of the whole was to explore the philosophy.
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csen

14 years ago

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Are you then a contractor? or just some condescending hardworking uneducated and embittered nobody. Because that is how you come off. Are you looking at the models as if they are to be the actual built structure? models are investigative and expressive mediums for design. Furthermore, there are not really any spaces that seem to be anomalous to any normal contractors quixotic gabled roofs. The point is, what the contractors do house after house after house after house after house is far more unmanageable than anything in these photos and studies. Enveloping would be a breeze.
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Masood Siddiqui

14 years ago

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Contractors Nightmare! How do waterproof the building envelope? It's nice these projects exist, but does anyone ever consider how much this is going to cost to construct? Will the cost of fueling the delivery trucks, cranes, and workers offset the carbon emissions. It's a nice beginning, but there are too many wide open gaps to close. Additionally, where's the site location and geological studies to show how your going to anchor the foundation...the best part is, that I'm not even an architect! Best of luck with the prototype.
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J. Bard

14 years ago

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I think it's wonderful. It's both familiar and new looking to me.
I disagree with the previous post about the light- it would get a lot of natural light for such a small house... saw them lecture not too long ago and they're one of the most interesting young offices in the US right now, go MOS!
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Clea Walford

14 years ago

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I really love this new idea of a house with all its possibilities!
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Leszek Cyfer

14 years ago

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It's good that I'm not going to paint the outside walls in those acute angled corners...

The "chimneys" are a source of light, right? They will be handy because there is not much place for windows inside this beehive...
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