Beyond Mechanical Limits: Cohousing and Permaculture

Abstract

This research aims to achieve two objectives. The first objective is to minimize and eliminate building contributions to climate change starting from a domestic prototype. The second is to increase the role of architecture as a bridge to optimize the relationships among people and surrounding natural elements through an urban mixed use design for Cohousing communities. Detailed reexamination and reverse engineering of conventional design methods supports these goals to achieve an innovative overall building design. Redesigning built forms by utilizing or developing advanced materials and concepts will enhance the successful result. I propose to eliminate conventional central heating and air conditioning system dependence for urban mixed use architecture with careful building envelope and site design to promote a new successful experimental prototype. A thorough dissection and examination of traditional Korean domestic building systems will support a theoretical sustainable solution as a key methodology. To optimize an urban domestic paradigm, the concept of “cohousing” and selective “principles of permaculture” is utilized as a foundational methodology. I will present the Korean traditional vernacular architecture “Hanok” and selected Cohousing communities for representative case studies as catalysts to ultimately accomplish these goals. The proposed innovative urban domestic paradigm promotes low impact city lifestyles embracing city streetscapes and leads to a healthier environment that focuses on people and nature respectfully. The successful outcome will contribute to the health of human relationships as well as the relationship between humans and nature.