STRATEGIC REMODELING

Many people start a residential remodeling project by designing an addition and selecting finish materials. But if your goal is to live in harmony with nature, you need to begin with something more basic: a personal strategy for weaving your needs together with the natural elements available at your site. Next week authors Carol Venolia and Kelly Lerner will explain how such a strategy can help you decide what you want to accomplish and give guidance on how to proceed. (Photo by Catherine Wanek.)

COLUMBIA STUDENTS BUILD PARAMETRICALLY

The Trusset System, developed at the Digital Fabrication Lab at Columbia University, enables students to explore and build complex forms. One recent project was designed by students in the Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation as a doubly-curved, parametric computer model. They fabricated parts with CNC machinery and assembled them with minimal use of traditional plans. Next week we'll follow the student's process, from computational design techniques through final installation.