ANDREW POTTER

xxxx Terra Vita Drive

South Barrington, Illinois

 

This residence exists as a proposed solution to the rapid destruction caused by the Chicago suburb. Rural land is being transformed into residential development at speed far out-pacing the growth of infrastructure. Suburban mega-manses, Mc Mansions, and faux-chateaus place undue strain on finite resources as well as their immediate surroundings.

 

Such excessive demand makes it difficult for rural emergency responders to cope with potential events as the scale of disaster is far beyond the departmental and infrastructural capacities. This project does not attempt to solve the American cultural tradition of the engorged single-family dwelling. Residence for Fire Protection exists as a hypothetical remedy to issues of resource strain as well as the predicted increase in severe weather events resulting from climate change.

 

The structural fabric of the project serves as support to an undulating canopy of foliage that can be built to fit new or existing buildings. The aim of this canopy is to collect and store water for emergencies such as house or grass fires. Additionally, the water transforms the canopy into a diverse environment, which now exists in place of the typical suburban lawn. The canopy also shelters the residence from extreme winds while its structure provides many paths for lightning to safely pass from sky to ground. Residence for Fire Protection would serve as an ecological, structural, and typological intervention within the monotonous suburban fabric.

 

Ultimately the project becomes a network of activities - both human and otherwise.