Date of Submission

Spring 5-9-2023

Degree Type

Undergraduate Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Architecture

Department

Architecture

Committee Chair/First Advisor

Sang Pil Lee

Secondary Advisor

Christopher Welty

Abstract

This project redefines the identity of the manufactured housing typology by conceiving of more adaptable structural configurations which provide a framework for breaking the conformity of mass production and mass consumption to give the residents true economic prosperity through control of the 3-D manufacturing process of their homes. Manufactured housing, formerly known as mobile or trailer homes, is one of the most vulnerable housing types in the United States during a severe weather event. This is due to the mass industrial production of a structural composition that is rather suited for permanently fixed construction, leading to fragility in their assemblage and poor construction specifications. The focus of design exploration throughout this thesis is towards the structural stability of manufactured housing in preparation for a severe natural hazard predicated upon refabricating three fundamental elements of its construction: Flexible Frame, Universal bracing, & Ease of the structural manipulation process.

While the revitalization of manufactured housing in this thesis rests upon the success of establishing the three afore mentioned elements, the socio-political implication of the project rests upon the 3-D fabrication of the manufactured homes. An on-site fabrication center gives residents ownership of the means of production of their homes and affords freedom from established society, which is the identity from which the housing type emerged in the mid-1950s. Introducing a site dedicated worker-space is a radical change in the sustaining logic of consumerism because the fab-center breaks the traditional buyer seller market system by giving the residents the ability to make constructive decisions on how to improve their standard of living.

Given that the chassis of manufactured homes has long served as the defining element of its dual identity as a hybrid house-vehicle typology, the process of equipping manufactured homes will involve designing temporarily held structural assemblies with a flexible frame system that can adapt and respond to regional weather conditions via expansion and reduction of the trailer frame. Therefore, proper bracing of mobile homes involves designing a system that is integrated into the framework of the structure which adapts to various module configurations.

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