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TCA/PCA Storm Housing 2007 Design Competition
Honorable Mention: Lisa LaCharite & Farzam Yazdanseta (University of Maryland)

Biloxi House 1
Biloxi House 1 is a flexible prototype: the program and elements of the house can be adjusted to fit different conditions. The elements are:
- Three tilt-up pre-cast concrete panels parallel to one another. The west exterior wall expresses its tectonics by keeping the tilt-up scaffolding for structural support on Biloxi House 1.
- Four tilt-up pre-cast concrete panels perpendicular to the three parallel panels used for lateral support and to denote areas of public and private. Private areas would exist between and behind the walls for lateral support whereas the public areas would remain closest to the water on the south end of the house near the Gulf and the outdoor porch. Additional perpendicular walls can be added for more private space. From south to north in Biloxi House 1: public living/dining/kitchen, private bathroom/smaller rooms such as mechanical or washer and dryer, and private bedroom area at north.
- Lateral steel beams that are fastened between the parallel concrete walls with structural supporting brackets. They serve as framing for both the floor and the roof. In the Biloxi House 1, the steel beams are revealed through the parallel wall on the west on the floor plane.
- Secondary lateral joists to support decking.
- Decking will stand 8’ above ground level. It will be oriented longitudinally north-south pointing toward and away from the coast parallel to the procession through the space. The movement within the house will move parallel with the tide.
- Large porch near the water is an extension of the floor moving through the boundaries of the interior out to the horizon.
- Set of stairs that can be relocated depending on the site. In the Biloxi House 1, the stairs start on the south end.
- Residual outdoor space made private with third parallel panel and optional lattice for green growth stemming up and over the house to filter the light coming through the skylight.
- Larger boundary windows on north and south sides and three sets of filtering windows in each of the parallel panels. Two sky lights on west and east oriented north-south. One side denotes connection and procession, the other has a baffle to reflect and bounce light to provide good light for living spaces.
- Columns under the porch to support load and provide an open space beneath the house for sheltered outdoor activities.
- Overlap of perpendicular panels as a Chinese box to reveal thickness of walls. Notch and rest panels together to visually communicate their reliance on one another.
projectdesigner
Lisa LaCharite
Farzam Yazdanseta
University of Maryland
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