Tempe Arizona
During the Fall of 2020, Arizona State University ran a graduate-level studio that was originally intended to be a continuation of the ASU Precast Studio – but with very few students choosing in-person learning, the ability to do hands-on learning, field trips, and other experiences the studio is known for were unable to take place.
Ultimately, Philip M. Horton, Interim Director of The Design School, Arizona State University, designed the studio as an all-virtual experience. The program and sites for the studio were fire stations in metropolitan Phoenix, with students still focusing on precast/prestressed concrete design.
“Slade Sheaffer took a more standardized approach, using hollow-core slabs and a relatively standardized approach to precast stairs and shear walls. In the other project shown here, Rachel Frail took a more custom approach, inspired by case study research of some ongoing work in Germany for sustainable urban housing that pairs infra-lightweight precast concrete columns and shear walls with cross-laminated timber floor plates,” says Horton.
Unique Program Aspects
Students used the fall semester to work from home and design fire houses
Students took various approaches to the design, some using standard approaches and others going to European design for inspiration
Faculty
Philip M. Horton, Assoc. AIA
Industry Partners
TPAC
Elias Fink
