Miscellanous Plug-in Creations Projects (1998-2003)
ROBOTIC FIELD FACTORY: In connection with the Intelligent Manufacturing System (IMS) collaborative research on the IF7 Field Factory research (see Research Topic), a robotic field factory was designed for fully automated assembly of pre-fabricated volumetric modules that can be stacked or inserted into a frame constructed on the site (See IF7 Digital Condo project described under the Design Topic). Design, structure, kinematics, production flow by A. Scott Howe (some versions of the structure were inspired by Norman Foster's Renault project). Only design steps were taken to support the Field Factory research, during the period of 1998-2001.

Other images and animations:
IT Condo animation excerpt showing IF7 Field Factory (2.7mb)

Technical papers and articles:
A.S. Howe (2003). Design Principles for Kinematic Architecture. Proceedings of the Second International Conference on Construction in the 21st Century (CITC-II). 10-12 December, 2003, Hong Kong.

A.S. Howe; I. Ishii; T. Yoshida (1999). Kit-of-parts: A review of object-oriented construction techniques. Proceedings of the International Symposium on Automation and Robotics in Construction (ISARC16). 22-24 September 1999, Madrid, Spain. London: International Association for Automation and Robotics in Construction (IAARC).

Miyamoto, Ishii, Shibata, Dobashi, Howe, Yoshida, Takada, Ueno, Kunugi, Yagi, Nakata, Hatakeyama, Kigawada, Yomo, and Koga (1998). Study on assembly process for large-scale structures. Heisei 10 nendo IMS Kenkyu Seika Koen Ronbushu (1998 IMS Research Results), pp.119-122. Tokyo, Japan: Intelligent Manufacturing Systems (IMS) Center.

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PARTY HUT: The Party Hut was designed to demonstrate kit-of-parts system life-cycle management research concepts, illustrated in a short film called "The Party Hut" (see Research Topic). The life-cycle of a building is divided into eight steps, beginning with the idea, and ending with the disposal (or reuse) of its materials. The party hut is designed using the same kit-of-parts construction system as that was introduced in the LDS Building System (described elsewhere under the Design Topic), using a suite of construction robots for its assembly.

Other images and animations:
The Party Hut film excerpt showing party hut flyby (3.1mb)

Technical papers and articles:
A.S. Howe (2003). Design Principles for Kinematic Architecture. Proceedings of the Second International Conference on Construction in the 21st Century (CITC-II). 10-12 December, 2003, Hong Kong.

A.S. Howe (2000). Designing for Automated Construction. Automation in Construction 9, 3, 259-276.

A.S. Howe; I. Ishii; T. Yoshida (1999). Kit-of-parts: A review of object-oriented construction techniques. Proceedings of the International Symposium on Automation and Robotics in Construction (ISARC16). 22-24 September 1999, Madrid, Spain. London: International Association for Automation and Robotics in Construction (IAARC).

A.S. Howe (1998). A new paradigm for life-cycle management of kit-of-parts building systems. (Doctoral Dissertation, University of Michigan, 1998). University Microfilms International, No. 9909905.

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EVOLVING HOUSE: In the Evolving House concept, a flexible kit-of-parts system is marketed to make it easy for home owners to purchase a small home and expand (or shrink) the residence by incrementally purchasing or selling additional parts. The Evolving House concept eliminates the need to have a residential finance mortgage system, since purchases are small an incremental.

This project won "Housing Design Honorable Mention" and "Small Rural Agricultural Community Honorable Mention" awards in the California Central Valley "Housing the Next 10 Million" design competition sponsored by the AIA California Council in 1999.

Other images and animations:
competition panels (PDF)

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STONEWOOD RESIDENCE: The Stonewood Residence was planned for a slope, and consists of a heavy timber post and beam frame wrapped with standing seam metal on roof and exterior walls. All north- and south-facing walls are glazed, and all west- and east-facing walls are solid. Therefore, windows are created using pop-outs.

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CONTAINER RESIDENCE: A residence constructed of volumetric modules based on shipping container standards. Included in the system are diagonal roof and slope glass modules, that use temporary frames to fill out the container volume for shipping. Each volumetric module consists of a standard frame with modular plug-in wall, window, or pop-outs.

Other images and animations:
presentation panels (PDF)

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GPS ANTENNA: An antenna structure with an elevated platform on a single cantilever platform. The platform opens up for mainenance, with three stairs that swing down to give access to the platform.

Other images and animations:
presentation panel (PDF)
Plug-in Creations Architecture, LLC