west oakland housing project
site: west oakland port, northern california
ucb case studies studio, fall 10
instructor: nicholas de monchaux
ucb case studies studio, fall 10
instructor: nicholas de monchaux
located in the industrial wasteland of the bay area, a housing system of stacked modular units re-collages materials and paths to create an urban park. each unit is repeated 200 times and rearranged uniquely as a green-stitched-tapestry hovering over homes, retail spaces, public parking, and the bart line: bay area rapid transit. the process is an exploration of high density, a reflection of competing scales on site, and mimicry of ‘everyday’ rigidity.
form simplification: unit plan and
stacking for subsequent units is
determined by placement of central
skylight and opening for courtyard
walls that require plumbing are
orthogonal, while bedrooms and open
spaces have steep or angled roofs
stacking for subsequent units is
determined by placement of central
skylight and opening for courtyard
walls that require plumbing are
orthogonal, while bedrooms and open
spaces have steep or angled roofs