Abstract
Flock House, the client, contacted Humboldt State University to build various parts of a new alternative living structure in New York City. Team EcoDermis was formed in order to create a solution for a weatherproof shell as well as coverings for the openings of the the structure. Multiple alternative solutions were formed through group brainstorming. These alternatives were put through a process to determine which solution best fulfilled the criteria. Discussion with the client led to a decision of a combination of two alternatives. The Bird Cage forms the main weatherproofing shell while the Plastic Plumage covers the window openings.
Background
The Flock House project is a concept to provide a new form of housing for different migrating populations throughout the world. These structures demonstrate an inspirational method to use repurposed materials to construct everything needed to function in a modern society. It shows a new way to come together as a community and work together to help the individual and the community. The Flock House will inspire community-interdependence and resourcefulness. Mary Mattingly is the voice of the client that we worked with on the project. Mary and other professionals, engineers, builders, teachers, designers, and architects built a similar sustainable living environment called the Waterpod Project. This is a floating barge that moved around the boroughs of New York to show a sustainable living culture. The Flock House is a mobile structure for land that will be able to link up with other Flock Houses. Each Flock House will have a skin/shell to protect it from the elements as well as alternative energy sources, bike power charging stations, a solar dehydrator, and a power meter to display the power used and stored.
Problem Statement & Criteria
Problem Statement
The Flock House needs to be covered with a skin or shell that meets the criteria listed below. The Flock House will be inhabited by 2 artists and the skin needs to have the main function of protecting the occupants from the elements outside and providing them with privacy.
Objective
Flock House needs a waterproof skin made from material that is inexpensive, sourced from reused materials, able to be produced by someone with moderate technical skill, and suited for a variety of weather conditions.
Criteria
The criteria for the skin of the Flock House was created from a problem analysis and through communication with the client. Each criteria is weighted with its designated importance. The scale is from 1-10 with 10 being the most important.
| Criteria | Weight | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Weatherproof | 10 | Needs to keep occupants dry and sheltered from the wind |
| Repurposed Material | 10 | The more materials that are recycled and repurposed the better |
| Safety | 9 | Structure has to be stable as to not harm the occupants |
| Durability | 8 | The shell has to be able to withstand normal wear and tear from travel or be easily replaced. |
| Aesthetically Pleasing | 8 | Has to be visually appealing and attract the attention of passersby |
| Reproducable | 7 | Should be able to be reproduced by as many responsible adults as possible |
| Lightweight | 7 | The shell should not add so much weight that six strong people could not lift a Flock House |
| Translucent | 6 | Needs to allow enough light through so the occupants can see well while inside |
| Educational | 6 | Should show visitors a new way to look at building and living in new structures |
| Cost | 4 | Should cost less than $375 for the shell to be made |
Description of final project
The final project decision is a combination of The Plastic Plumage to cover the windows and The Bird Cage for the outer shell.
Plastic Plumage
Plastic Plumage is a way of using empty one gallon milk cartons in a new way to cover the windows on the Flock House. The layering of each string of plastic shingles allows for a fluttering effect when wind is present. These shingles provide a moderate amount of water protection while still allowing light and fresh air in.
-
One window with plastic shingles
-
Construction continues
-
Inside view of shingles
Bird Cage
The bird cage is a spiral hemisphere made out of recycled corrugated plastic. Each piece is overlapped by at least two inches on the bottom and wraps around itself in a layering style that is very visually appealing and so attracts attention to the Flock House.
-
Bird Cage closed
-
Door opened to allow access
-
Top view of Bird Cage
-
Bird Cage unfolded
Cost and Materials
Design Cost
Design cost is measured in hours. The total hours spent on the creation of the skin for the Flock House are 352 with the total being broken into respective segments as shown in the pie chart below.
Implementation Cost
The implementation cost is what it cost Team Ecodermis to construct the Plastic Plumage/Bird cage Combo and what a retail cost would be.
| Item | Quantity | Our price per item ($) | Total | Quantity | Clients estimated price per item ($) | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corrugated Plastic Sheets | 9 | 8.07 | 72.63 | 12 | 14.00 | 168.00 |
| Chicken Wire | 1 roll | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Crimp Sleeves | 48 | 0.25 | 11.96 | 144 | 0.25 | 35.88 |
| 1/4 inch eye bolts | 30 | 0.90 | 27.00 | 50 | 0.90 | 45.00 |
| 1/16 inch metal wire per foot | 15 | 0.08 | 1.20 | 50 | 0.08 | 4.00 |
| Corrugated plastic shipping | 1 | 28.00 | 28.00 | 1 | 35.00 | 35.00 |
| 1/2 inch pvc pipe 10 feet | 4 | 1.79 | 7.16 | 0 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Wood handle | 2 | 0.20 | 0.40 | 2 | 0.20 | 0.40 |
| 1/4 inch by 4 inch eye bolt | 1 | 1.79 | 1.79 | 1 | 1.79 | 1.79 |
| Total Cost | $150.14 | $290.07 | ||||
Data/Results
Placing a tub inside the structure allows us to measure how much water can seep through. Putting newspaper throughout the tub allows for detection of water leakage. Using a water hose and a spray nozzle we showered the Bird Cage for 30 minutes. The results were that the edges of the structure got wet from water running down the sides of the corrugated plastic and collecting in a ring on the outside. This would be a good area for the Flock House to make a water collection system most efficient.
To get a true wind test result, we took our structure to an open field to allow for as much unobstructed wind as possible. According to our altimeter the wind varied between 6 and 15 MPH. Due to the lightness of the structure, we used 100lb to weigh it down to see how the panels held up under the wind force. The wind produces enough force on the panels to cause tearing around the bolts. A rubber grommet should be added where the bolts pin the bottoms of the plastic together.
DIY
How to Build Your Own!!