Proposal/Arch 652

I wrote a proposal for the " Architectural Research Methods" for my grduate study here in BSU.
the pre-writing goes like this;

Proposal/ Arch 652
Fall Semester /2008

“Unknown cities within the city…. The foundation of self respect in their society is not having cash but a place to live.”
-Professor Richard Sennet

“The house was not so hard to make because I kept the structure minimum…..It sometimes gets cold but I like the view of the river.”
-Okawara, A homeless in Tokyo

“These homes (of homeless) embody simplicity and functionality at one with their environment, like the Japanese Tea house of Sen Rikyu.”
-Architect Kyohei Sakaguchi

Architecture has taken a great leap since the beginning of the human civilization. The materiality, techniques, forms; functionality has profoundly changed since early shelter of nomadic tribes to modern intelligent buildings. Architects and designers throughout the world have put most of their energy in creating aesthetically beautiful, structurally sound and functionally user-friendly built environment. In such an encouraging scenario, when I observe the world around one questions comes up in my mind, what about the architecture of the homeless people.

Small enclosure of materials like flattened cardboards, corrugated metal roofs, sheets of plastic, leftover materials in Dr. Wes Janz’s word ensure them same security and sense of privacy that our house provides us. Intricate network of metal pipes, geometrical roofs, and even use of solar panel reflects their interest in design fulfilling function. Though they are not architect, their construction approach to support their need of shelter always draws my attention.

Thus, I propose to study a tragic arena of architecture, existing architecture of homeless people. The materials used, forms, structures along with the surrounding environment in different part of the world. I want to discover their inherent feelings about their home.


To achieve this, I will carry out literature study on the construction of homeless people using available books, internets and magazines. I will collect talks, views and case studies (if possible) of the related groups or individuals to discover their world of architecture and social aspects. Based on such study a set of photographs, structure and material study will be compiled in a report form.