Reviving Low Tech High Tech Architecture
“People assume that in the 21st century buildings should be made of titanium, because we have a narrow definition of progress. Maybe a 21st-century building is made out of dirt used in an intelligent and beautiful way.”
John Ochsendorf MIT Professor of Structural Engineering and Architecture proofs structurally stable, aesthetic structures built of mud as opposed to steel and concrete (reducing costs, energy consumption and pollution associated with traditional modern construction)
See Smithsonian’s With-Ancient-Arches-the-Old-is-New-Again
Structural visualization and research projects here
Images from construction of Mapungubwe Visitor’s Center in South Africa:
See source gallery for more images here
This comment copied for reference from the Smithsonin page linked:
I would like to clarify the attribution of the project in South Africa and give credit to the design team. The Mapungubwe Visitor’s Center was the brainchild of Peter Rich, one of the most brilliant architects working today. The design of the soil vaults was carried out by an interdisciplinary team, with Michael Ramage taking a lead role. James Bellamy expertly directed the construction throughout. Matthew Hodge and Anne Fitchett consulted on the soil bricks and labor practices. Philippe Block analyzed the vault for asymmetrical loadings, and Henry Fagan served as a structural engineer for the supporting structure.
Thank you for your interest in our work,
John Ochsendorf
Posted by John Ochsendorf on July 8,2010 | 09:05 AM
Read more: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/specialsections/40th-anniversary/With-Ancient-Arches-the-Old-is-New-Again.html##ixzz0uGLDi540