Tanmayee Govilkar

2K House Project

Background:

This construction project was an opportunity for MIDC students to design and build an efficient prototype home for the tornado victims in the surrounding areas of Alabama while gaining experience with the major challenges inherent in a construction project. We started with a plan to design a 400 SFT house project and had a budget of about $2,000. Over the course of five weeks, as we progressed with the planning and designing of this project, our ideas evolved, and we finally ended up constructing a 160 SFT house for such an ambitious budget.

Primary Duties:

At the very beginning of the project, we divided ourselves into four groups (3/4 people in each group) where each group was responsible for different project activities such as Programming/Planning, Schematic design, Construction Documents and Implementation. The goal was to perform preconstruction activities in smaller groups during the first few weeks and then build the house collectively as a class in two weeks. I was involved in the schematic design phase of the project where we outlined the requirements and overall program for the project, prepared study drawings and 3D models to illustrate the concept and also estimated cost based on our concept. Best suitable option for the assigned budget was created at the end of the schematic design phase and then design moved forward to the design development phase. During the Implementation stage of the project, I helped my teammates with creating a construction work plan. This plan helped us further to understand daily activities on the construction site. Once construction started on the site I tried to engage myself in almost every activity performed on the site. This helped me understand the various skill trades involved in the construction of this project.

Research Issue:

A big challenge for us during schematic design phase was to design a livable space within only 400 SFT of area with a very tight project budget. Like most other building construction projects, there were limited funds available for the construction of this prototype. This limit had a major influence on the design decisions from building size and configuration to material selection and detailing. To maintain the budget of $2000 we reduced interior walls and created spaces using furniture units and curtains. Number of doors and windows were restricted in order to reduce the construction cost. Shape and size of the house was designed in such a way that it could be built in a short period of time and easily moved from one place to another on a trailer.

Reflection on the Project:

1. When were you most engaged? Who /What contributed to your learning on this project and why?

I was most engaged during the schematic design/ Programming, Planning stage of the project. We, as a group analyzed different case studies for Tiny Homes and created a program for “Our House.” We prepared different design options and finalized one which was suitable for the assigned budget of $2000. I was also involved in making detailed study plans and 3D models to illustrate concept of “Our house.” During the construction phase of the project I learnt so many things about construction processes and assembly of different parts of the building from foundations to structural wood framing. My construction counterparts helped me to understand different construction techniques and right ways of doing things on the site.

2. When were you least engaged?

I was involved in almost all of the phases in some way, however small my involvement was. This was the best part of this exercise.

3. What surprised you about this project?

Project requirements and parameters were changed at different stages of the project. Initially we started with the 400 SFT floor area which further reduced to 160 SFT to accommodate the tight budget. Different changes were made in the drawings/ details during the construction of the house. Some decisions were taken on the site first and drawings were modified accordingly which should have been the other way around.

4. What would you suggest for additional projects of this type?

This project though small in size, gave us an opportunity to experience every single stage of building construction project from its conception to the execution. I realized that in order to complete a project successfully, design and construction can not be thought as two consecutive phases. Rather, these should collaborate and communicate with each other more often. I think, we lacked this collaboration between the different phases, somewhere during the process which resulted in slowing down the construction process.

However, with any project undertaken, there are always lessons learned which help us make better decisions and tackle issues differently. I would say, I am now more confident to work on a similar project in the future.