Plug it in: A perpetual living system

Abstract

Plug it in explores the question -- are the principles and guidelines of modularity sufficient to accommodate a community and yield a city. The problem will be expressed by the design of a mixed-use potential building with retail, office, and residential. Using the principles of modularity, it is intended to design a space that citizens can live, drive, walk, bike, shop, eat, and socialize in a manner which is deemed comfortable. This will test whether or not a full scale design using similar materials and memorable and consistent sizes will satisfy the needs of a large community. If the test works on a smaller scale, i.e., neighborhood, then it is theoretically possible to construct a city using one modular base unit of space. The building blocks for this project will be comprised of 750 sqft modules. Not only will this test the limits of modularity, but this thesis will explore a faster, more economical and more efficient way of building.