Totally Tubular Modern Prefab
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 06.16.08
Around 1960, Swiss artist Guy Dessauges wondered why we were so square. "La voûte résiste à des pressions beaucoup plus grandes que le plafond plat. The vault resists pressure much larger than the flat ceiling. Pour la même qualité de matériaux. For the same quality of materials. Je me suis demandé pourquoi l'on ne pourrait pas utiliser le cylindre pour y construire une habitation. I wondered why we could not use the cylinder to build a home. Le seul problème était le diamètre du cylindre. The only problem was the diameter of the cylinder. Il fallait avoir un diamètre suffisamment grand pour y installer deux étages. L'idée s'est cristallisée en dix minutes. It was necessary to have a diameter large enough to install two floors. The idea crystallized in ten minutes. (google translation of his page here)
"J'ai construit une maquette et des personnages à l'échelle. I built a model and characters to scale. Deux formats se sont imposés assez rapidement.Le diamètre de 6 mètres et celui de 8 mètres. Two formats have become quite rapidement.Le diameter and 6 meters by 8 meters. Ces deux diamètres conviennent à un être humain de 180 cm. These two diameters agree to a human being 180 cm. En fabriquant des modèles je réfléchissais beaucoup aux avantages et désavantages de la forme cylindrique. In producing models I was reflecting the many advantages and disadvantages of the cylindrical shape. Je découvris assez rapidement que je ne devrais tenir compte que des avantages. I discovered quite quickly that I should take account not only advantages. "
"In the polyurethane foam is installed cables and pipes for sustainability. Dans la courbe serait placée les armoires. In the curve would be placed cabinets. L'intérieur aurait l'aspect d'une maison normale. The interior would have the appearance of a normal house. Le diamètre était trouvé il fallait une longueur. The diameter was found he had a length. Après quelques calculs je découvris que si je coupais le cylindre en biais sur un angle de 45 degrés j'avais deux balcons bien exposés à la lumière... After some calculations I discovered that if I cut the cylinder at an angle on an angle of 45 degrees I had two balconies well exposed to the light ...
Another advantage, if I tournais on the cylinder itself, the whistle gave shadow to the facade. En un tour de main, j'avais plusieurs solutions adéquates. Un modèle pour les pays du nord et un pour le sud! In a tour de main, I had several solutions. A model for countries of the north and one for the south! Cela me donnait la longueur du cylindre pour avoir la lumière optimale jusqu'au fond du cylindre. That gave me the length of the cylinder to get the best light to the bottom of the cylinder.
La partie arrière où se trouvait la cuisine et l'entrée, restait coupée à angle droit. The rear whereabouts of the kitchen and entry, remained cut off at right angles. Une fois terminé le premier modèle je constatais que mon idée était une idée d'ingénieur, pas du tout une idée d'artiste! Once completed the first model I concluded that my idea was an idea for an engineer, not at all an idea of artist!
From 1964 to 1968 I lived amazing adventures in trying to achieve this idea ... Cela seulement, en valait la peine... That alone was worth it ... J'ai tout abandonné en 1969 car j'avais en priorité celle de gagner ma vie, ce qui n'est pas de tout repos dans mon beau pays, et partout ailleur, finalement. I have all abandoned in 1969 because I had a priority to win my life, which is not easy in my beautiful country, and everywhere else, finally.
A conclusion that I can certainly sympathize with. ::Guy Dessauges via ::Andreas Angelidakis
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this reminds me alot of some other work that I saw where the architect was proposing to incorporate "recycled" airplane fuselages into a design much the same way as a lot of these shipping container projects that you see.
A slightly better translation (mine - it's not perfect either):
Since the ancient cave vaults and Roman times, the concept has remained at mid-way. A semi-circle. A vault resists a much greater pressure than a flat ceiling does. For the same quality of materials. I wondered why we could not use the cylinder to build a home. The only problem was the diameter of the cylinder. It was necessary to have a diameter large enough to contain two floors. The idea crystallized in ten minutes.
I built a model and figures to scale. Two formats became apparent quite quickly.The 6 meter and 8 meter diameters. These two diameters suit a 180 cm (6') human being.
While producing models, I thought about the many advantages and disadvantages of the cylindrical shape. I discovered quite quickly that I should only take account of the advantages.
All attempt to describe the disadvantages would destroy the idea in embryo! The cylindrical shape is extremely solid, whether it be in concrete or polyester...
I opted for polyester: between two sheets of polyester reinforced(laminated) with fiberglass, a 30cm bed of polyurethane foam created a perfect seal for the cylinder. It wasn't necessary to invent a new material nor a new method of construction. It all existed already.
Cables and pipes are installed in the polyurethane foam for durability. Cabinets (storage) are to be placed in the curve. The interior would have the appearance of a normal house.
The diameter was settled; it was necessary to find a length. After some calculations I discovered that if I cut the cylinder at an angle on an angle of 45 degrees I had two balconies well exposed to the light ...
Another advantage, if I rotated the cylinder around itself, the peak shadowed the facade. After using some skill, I had several adequate results. A model for countries of the north and one for the south! . That gave me the length of the cylinder in order to have optimal light down to bottom of the cylinder.
The rear part, where the kitchen and entry may be found, remained cut at a at right angle. Once the first model was completed, I concluded that my idea was an idea for an engineer, not at all an idea of an artist!
I thought that was an advantage in making a prototype... I was sadly mistaken!
To learn the outcome of this story, read books 2 and 3 of my memoirs. A great idea that comes at a bad time and a bad place has no chance at all!
Between 1964 and 1968, I experienced astonishing adventures in attempting to realise this idea... only those worth pain. I abandoned everything in 1969, since my priority was to earn my living, and there is no time off at all in my area, or anywhere else, in the end.