Beyond bolts : architectural details, construction, meaning

Abstract

An architectural Detail is a small piece of the whole, yet it has the power to characterize and define the entire building. Details tell us what a building is; they are fundamental to the life and personality of a space. Additionally, the design of a simple connection can and should be indicative of the designer's attitude toward the building in general; indeed, detail is architecture at its smallest size. The focus of this thesis will be the design of a small house and in particular, the elements of its construction. The intent: to explore how details can both solve construction problems and aid one's understanding of the house and help it gather meaning.