by Marvelous Akande
It is Week 6 of the 2025 DesignBuild. This week was a significant milestone for our class as we had the opportunity to present our housing ideas to the client. Throughout the week, we refined our concepts, received feedback, and prepared for the big review.
Monday: Discussion, Desk Review, and Final Preparations
We began the week with a discussion on two assigned readings: The Modern American House – The Small House Era by Isenstadt and Home Delivery by Barry Bergdoll. Our conversation explored the history of various housing typologies, the evolution of residential architecture, and the role of prefabrication in housing development. These discussions provided valuable historical context and insight into how past innovations influence contemporary housing design and what the roles of architects have been.
Following this, we had a desk review session with our professor. Each group presented updates on their progress, reviewed the key requirements for the upcoming client presentation, and continued refining their designs. This session allowed us to align our work with project expectations, address any lingering questions, and make final adjustments before the big presentation
Wednesday: Client Presentation at Holyoke Housing Authority
The highlight of the week was our visit to the Holyoke Housing Authority office, where we met with our clients, Damaris and Pedro, along with a few professionals in the field. Each of the four groups presented their unique housing concepts, showcasing different ideas and design approaches. The client provided thoughtful feedback, which will guide the next phase of our work.
What’s Next?
After spring break, our class will shift from working in separate groups to collaborating as a whole. Using the feedback from Damaris and Pedro, we will consolidate our ideas into a single house design that best meets the needs and wants of the client.