Big Dig House by SsD Architects
SsD Architects designed the Big Dig house in Lexington, Massachusetts.
As a prototype building that demonstrates how infrastructural refuse can be salvaged and reused, the structural system for this house is comprised of steel and concrete discarded from Boston’s Big Dig utilizing over 600,000 lbs of salvaged materials from elevated portions of the dismantled I-93 highway. Planning the reassembly of the materials in as if it were a pre-fab system, subtle spatial arrangements are created. These materials however are capable of carrying much higher loads than standard structure, easily allowing the integration of large scale roof gardens. Most importantly, the project demonstrates an untapped potential for the public realm: with strategic front-end planning, much needed community programs including schools, libraries, and housing could be constructed whenever infrastructure is deconstructed, saving valuable resources, embodied energy, and taxpayer dollars.
Visit the SsD Architects website – here.
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Lance on 17 Jan 2010 at 3:52 pm #
I looked at the initial photos and thought I was going to poo poo this home. I was more than pleasantly surprised. I can’t say I care for the pool table where it is, but that’s just an aesthetic choice anyway. But overall, very nice job, especially the main living area.
graham on 17 Jan 2010 at 4:36 pm #
Nice house, I like the idea of recycling components from the demolished highway.
I hope the couple can work through their problems and spend some time together in the house instead of avoiding each other all the time
Matt on 17 Jan 2010 at 4:50 pm #
I like some elements, but there is too much artifice. It seems like a lot of the structural and interior design elements will date quickly. The house represents what I think is dichotomy and tension between contemporary and modernism. Modernism is a timeless form; contemporary is of the moment, but dates quickly.
Filip on 17 Jan 2010 at 6:57 pm #
The metal beams run both inside and outside the house. Doesn’t that volume of metal conduct a lot of heat out in winter? Beautiful on general and very Eco friendly.
Papo de Arquiteto on 17 Jan 2010 at 8:47 pm #
O metal é justaposto dentro e fora da edificação, isso foi um dos pontos mais interessantes do projeto. Gostei muito da idéia. Parabéns
David on 17 Jan 2010 at 9:53 pm #
The Big Dig House was also featured in the first season of e2: Design in the episode “Grey to Green”, which ran on PBS. Here’s the iTunes link
Patrick on 18 Jan 2010 at 8:21 am #
Love the roof top garden on the garage.
chip on 18 Jan 2010 at 10:05 pm #
Regarding the interior- it seems odd that a new home is so embracing of urban industrial exposed elements- something of it reminds me when people started putting fake exposed brick walls in their homes where it didn’t make sense.
It looks great, but something about it seems rather ‘forced’, like unnecessary cultivating a industrial factory feeling. I love concrete ceilings, exposed beams, catwalks and exposed duct work, and houses are welcome to have those elements, but here it looks like style emulation than finding it’s own.
I like the exterior- some of the the beams and cross are a bit much, but it is a pleasing shape and the materials are nice. If it truly is green and budget conscience, then it is a remarkable structure.
Brook on 21 Jan 2010 at 7:49 am #
I find it amusing that people feel compelled to criticize something which is obviously super subjective while at the same time being incapable of recognizing this effort for what it is…A superb example of using what’s available to make something that’s functional from something that was heretofore considered garbage! Way to go SsD! Keep up the good work. Big fan of rooftop greenery too! Nice.
Zero34 on 29 Jan 2010 at 10:29 am #
@brook – not everyone has the same taste. This is after all the point of comments, for people to voice their opinions, and though not everyone will voice their “recognition of this effort for what it is” I’m rather certain they none the less recognize it some way.
With that said, this is a superb house on MANY levels. As with most modern styled homes I can easily see why it wouldn’t suit everyone’s desires. I wish i could have seen the differentiation between the kitchen/dining room/pool table area. All in all a beautiful home that I wouldn’t mind being the owner of!