Conference Agenda

The U.S. market is dominated by unaffordable and unsustainable homes. Due to the industry’s continued use of outmoded and inefficient processes, the average home produced now is more expensive, wasteful and toxic than those built decades ago: in the 1960s, homes cost about three times a buyer’s annual salary; by 2020, this figure had nearly doubled (Delgado 2021). Additionally, factors such as waste generation, pollution and energy consumption have surged, placing unsustainable demands upon our planet (US Energy Information Administration 2021). These rising costs have left home ownership out of reach for many, trapping large portions of the US population in a cycle of dependent rentership (Harvard 2020).

Overcoming these challenges requires a radical shift within the industry. Fortunately, emerging technologies such as robotics, 3d-printing, and artificial intelligence hold significant potential, theoretically allowing for a reformulation of not only what is produced, but how and by whom. Already, these technologies are showing signs of productive disruption; with strategic integration, they could begin to address challenges such as climate change, resource scarcity, and housing access.

This paper examines this hypothesis through a comparative analysis of three recently completed homes, analyzing both their inputs, including financial costs, time invested, and energy consumed, and outputs, encompassing life-cycle costs and energy usage, as well as their projected value. This analysis will then be compared against a baseline standard, as established by the current inputs and outputs of the industry. The resulting findings will provide architects, builders, developers and educators with an evidence-based framework for understanding how these innovative technologies can address the urgent social, environmental, and technological challenges faced by the U.S. housing market - and how we might provide a more inclusive, sustainable and affordable housing solutions for a nation in desperate need of them.

Affordability is one of the most important factors in student housing development, especially in rapidly growing cities with increasing property prices. Beyond economic aspects, student housing needs to focus on environmental issues and community integration to create and maintain sustainability in the long run. ReGen Hall illustrates a unique approach to student housing projects aiming to demonstrate the viability of integrating ecological sustainability and affordability while preserving the community fabric. Located in Austin, Texas, the project incorporates advanced modular construction methods, Passive House design principles, and innovative net-zero energy strategies. This 62,000-square-foot residence hall integrates renewable energy systems, including a 320-kW photovoltaic array and rainwater harvesting infrastructure, to significantly reduce operational emissions and water dependency. Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) of the building carried out over a projected lifespan of 100 years reveals a carbon footprint of 2,853 tons of CO2e. This analysis is calculated using verified data from One Click LCA and industry benchmarks to ensure rigorous methods. Economic evaluations show cost reductions through modular construction, bringing total project expenses well below local benchmarks. Moreover, community-focused design elements, such as shared spaces, green courtyards, and a free medical clinic, foster social cohesion while meeting the housing needs of a diverse student population. Employing a quantitative research approach and spatial analysis, this study evaluates the environmental, economic, and social impacts of ReGen Hall. The findings demonstrate that sustainable technologies can effectively balance affordability and environmental stewardship and offer a model for future student housing developments.

By the definition provided by McNeel's Rhinoceros®, a fillet operation involves “adding a tangent arc between two curves and trims or extending the curves to the arc.” This research adopts the term "fillet" to unify the discussion from an industrial vocabulary perspective. In contemporary machining methods such as injection molding, turning, and CNC cutting, movements involving radii or rotations frequently result in fillets as byproducts at the corners of machined parts.
This study aims to redefine fillet as a design language shaped by the technological background of contemporary machining, and seeks to establish a theoretical framework that incorporates the design processes surrounding fillets within the broader context of industrial production.
The study examines plastic molding, CNC machining, and 3D printing, which respectively represent three main manufacturing methods: formative, subtractive, and additive, to investigate when and how fillet emerges and how it is integrated into aesthetic and functional assignment. A comprehensive discussion is then conducted on the transition of fillet from byproduct to design product and their eventual prevalence as a design language.
This study shows that fillet, which initially appears as a byproduct during manufacturing, cannot be viewed solely as an incidental phenomenon. Instead, it emerged from a designed production process aimed at ensuring operational efficiency. This intertwines the design of tools and machinery with the design of form and functionality. The reciprocal relationship between material constraints and design intent underscores the role of production methods in shaping design outcomes.
Fillets reflect not only material performance but also the technical characteristics of tools used in production, with their distinctive rounded forms highlighting these interactions. To deepen understanding, the study suggests a quantitative analysis of tool and material thresholds against designer-assigned radii, offering new perspectives on fillets as a modern formal language.