Developed as a design project at the graduate program of The School of Architecture, Archi-i-Part is the final design thesis project of Azrien Isaac. In Azrien’s words, “my main goal was to design a packable matrix unit that can become both a generative and organization tool for building forms and dwellings”.
Isaac explored different packing efficiencies to minimize material waste, but also to theoretically create insulative dwelling properties necessary for human shelter.
During Arch-i-Part’s construction, Azrien’s kit-of-parts approachallowed him to reconfigure and modify the design, which was a key premise of the thesis: to create a structural system which is so flexible that it may be redesigned and modified on-siteby a builder.
The componentsof the project closely resemble crystals or minerals; they are of varying lengths from 18 inches up to four feet, and triangular in cross-section. They pack together to form an enclosure and are interconnected through concealed, friction-fit fasteners. Made from rigid foam and coated in an epoxy coating developed for truck bed lining, they are lightweight, improvisational, and easy to assemble into various configurations. This project elaborates on the possibilities of pre-manufactured building components through bottom-up processes and a minimal set of parts.
Azrien hopes that his thesis project will lead to future explorations in material design and micro-modular construction methods, which can be translated into dwellings that are more affordable, faster to build, and most importantly, more beautiful.
