Bachelors of Architecture Degree Project
Woodbury University
Quartzsite, Arizona
2008
Nomadic Culture Driving Architectural Discourse
Current trends in future generations of a mobile architecture call for an integration of urbanistic qualities with an advancement in technology while maintaining luxury to enhance a current and future mobile existence. The Instant Urban Vehicle (I.U.V.) has the capability to fit into many diverse environments. The I.U.V. meets the spacious, luxurious, and flexible demands of the ever increasing nomadic lifestyle while incorporating the evolving culture of consumer existence.
The Culture
A current phenomenon in contemporary culture is the diminishing connection to place. This is caused by individuals in society seeking a life of continuous nomadism. Continuous nomadism shows us the possibility of urban life without the dependence of static structures as a basis for living. Today one in twelve U.S. vehicle-owning households own at least one Recreational Vehicle (RV)—a 58 percent rise since 1980. Among all U.S. households, nearly one quarter intend to purchase an RV, creating a transformed society that will establish their own definitions for a nomadic culture. A continual transformation in this nomadic existence is apparent in Quartzsite, AZ; one destination in a global network of instant urbanism created by millions of architectural vehicles. People from all over the continent visit this area in search for the consumer culture that entices the lifestyle of today’s nomadic customs.
The Architecture
Concepts of the contemporary nomad are redefining architecture. With RV parked next to RV an incredibly dense environment emerges, one that mimics the forms of the traditional metropolis and can become much denser than many cities of a built environment. Urbanism is created as individuals pick their spot and set up their temporary live/work recreational facilities; each buying, selling, sharing or just living within their space. The RV and its complimentary tent structures become the architecture. The RV provides housing and the tents and trailers provide the work facilities.
The I.U.V. integrates the opportunity for mixed-use program within each individual unit which provides the aggregate for instant urbanism. Each individual unit expands to create an enclosed exterior space and lofted interior space that gives the owner opportunity to interact with the exterior context whether in a dense urban environment or a wide open landscape. When the I.U.V. interacts with another in a dense environment, they produce larger more complex urban structures. The I.U.V. uses future industrial design strategies from General Motors for power and control of the vehicle.
Greater structural integrity is produced with an architectural unibody that uses lightweight materials uncommon in today’s society. The I.U.V. produces its own energy using Photovoltaic Film and Wind Turbines to power the domestic unit. Because each I.U.V. produces its own energy, every unit can subscribe to common goals of the larger urban environment by giving its excess energy to a network grid that can be sold to other units who use or need energy. This creates a temporary city which enables a population free of any power grid. The I.U.V. is architecture that represents a conceptualization of domestic space not normally explored by architects.
The Nomads
