Before you start construction on a new home, there are numerous important questions that must be considered. Many of those questions will depend upon your individual needs and desires. Are you building for a small or a large family? Do you wish to build in a residential community or a secluded area. Do you wish to build on a slope with a view or in a flat area hidden among large trees? Nevertheless, many considerations are important to any home.

The Questions:

Below is a short list of questions that we will attempt to address in the Basic Structure module. Your first assignment is to compose a short list of your own questions. The instructor will look through the submissions and choose a few of them to incorporate into the primary course material or into the Projects and Extensions component. Click on the "Your Questions" link to go to the submission form, where you will find some hints on how to go about the process of composing questions.

• Why is it important to know about the ground composition and integrity?
• Should I build by cutting into the hillside or by building up on columns and how do I place my cistern into the structure?
• How can the existing flora on my house site be incorporated into my design?
• What kinds and sizes of living spaces will I need in my house?
• How can I ensure that the basic structure of my house will be strong?
  • To what stresses will the structure be subjected (settling, sun, hurricanes, earthquakes,etc)?
  • What building materials should I use in the basic structure of my house?
• How can I decide between considerations and conflicts among forms and functions? (cost, aesthetics, privacy, ventilation, strength, community sensibility, VI Code)

• Your Questions    This link will provide you with some ideas and provide a form for submitting your questions about basic structure.
  

  Fields of Science to be Addressed:

  Physics:

  • Static Equilibrium (forces and torques)
  • Shear and Stress

  Chemistry:

  • Introduction to Chemistry
  • Polymerization
  • Chemistry of Cement

  Geology:

  Earthquakes

  Architecture and Structure:

  • Frame Construction
  • Concrete Construction
  • Architectural Overview
  • A Local Construction Tour
  • Canal Houses of Amsterdam
  

  Laboratory :

  • Lab 1: Forces
  • Lab 2: Forces and Torques
  • Lab 3: Making Concrete
  • Lab 4:Stress and Strain
  

  Projects and Extensions:

  • Survey of house and roof types.
  • Building strategies and building materials.
  • Prefabricated homes
  • Mortgages