C O M M U N I T Y A R C H I T E C T U R E L A B [CAL, INC]
Inspiring 21st Century Inventors
CAL, INC is a non-profit studio dedicated to effecting positive change through education. Using the discipline of architecture as a catalyst, and the art of building as a tool, we inspire students to think about our environment and how they may improve upon it. We empower kids and young adults to meet every challenge with creativity and the confidence that comes from having acquired knowledge and skills- some traditional, and some unique to the 21st century.
Check out our recent nod from Inhabitat...
And our pitch on YouTube
EDUCATION- IN STUDIO
Offer high school students an opportunity to learn how to use both traditional as well as computationally driven tools and machinery to realize sculptural, three-dimensional forms. Emphasis is placed on how to problem solve by mixing computer modeling, hand sketches, and traditional paper and cardboard media. Working in this hybrid fashion, students learn to both manipulate and become comfortable with multiple design processes, many of which are unique to the 21st century, and have exposure to a level of intellectual discourse that will influence their approach to other disciplines within the academic arena, and better prepare them for entrance into an increasingly competitive market place.
Note: CAL, INC works directly with regional high schools to identify kids who might benefit from the studio, and scholarships are awarded based upon need. These scholarships are made available through grants and individual philanthropy.
Inspiring 21st Century Inventors
CAL, INC is a non-profit studio dedicated to effecting positive change through education. Using the discipline of architecture as a catalyst, and the art of building as a tool, we inspire students to think about our environment and how they may improve upon it. We empower kids and young adults to meet every challenge with creativity and the confidence that comes from having acquired knowledge and skills- some traditional, and some unique to the 21st century.
Check out our recent nod from Inhabitat...
And our pitch on YouTube
EDUCATION- IN STUDIO
Offer high school students an opportunity to learn how to use both traditional as well as computationally driven tools and machinery to realize sculptural, three-dimensional forms. Emphasis is placed on how to problem solve by mixing computer modeling, hand sketches, and traditional paper and cardboard media. Working in this hybrid fashion, students learn to both manipulate and become comfortable with multiple design processes, many of which are unique to the 21st century, and have exposure to a level of intellectual discourse that will influence their approach to other disciplines within the academic arena, and better prepare them for entrance into an increasingly competitive market place.
Note: CAL, INC works directly with regional high schools to identify kids who might benefit from the studio, and scholarships are awarded based upon need. These scholarships are made available through grants and individual philanthropy.
IMPROMPTU DESIGN STUDIOS
CAL, INC partners with local high school students to run project specific studios. The intent is to design, raise money and then build things and places that a community or organization needs but cannot afford.
CAL, INC accepts proposals throughout the year, and selects projects based upon need and feasibility. Project examples include playground equipment, skate board ramps, rock climbing walls - basically structures and products off all kinds.
The studio participants are encouraged to use their own native and distinct intelligence to solve a particular design issue. The studio as a whole learns to identify and capitalize on each individual's unique abilities, and to exploit these abilities for the benefit of the project. As a group, we meet with the clients who present the challenge and their specific needs. We then set about the design process where participants work both individually and as a group, developing and critiquing the ideas presented. Once a design is settled upon, we analyze cost and determine the best means by which to raise the necessary funds (i.e. grants, fundraisers, etc...). The studio then organizes and executes the fund raising effort. Ultimately, once the money has been raised, the studio builds and installs the project.
CAL, INC partners with local high school students to run project specific studios. The intent is to design, raise money and then build things and places that a community or organization needs but cannot afford.
CAL, INC accepts proposals throughout the year, and selects projects based upon need and feasibility. Project examples include playground equipment, skate board ramps, rock climbing walls - basically structures and products off all kinds.
The studio participants are encouraged to use their own native and distinct intelligence to solve a particular design issue. The studio as a whole learns to identify and capitalize on each individual's unique abilities, and to exploit these abilities for the benefit of the project. As a group, we meet with the clients who present the challenge and their specific needs. We then set about the design process where participants work both individually and as a group, developing and critiquing the ideas presented. Once a design is settled upon, we analyze cost and determine the best means by which to raise the necessary funds (i.e. grants, fundraisers, etc...). The studio then organizes and executes the fund raising effort. Ultimately, once the money has been raised, the studio builds and installs the project.
EDUCATION- OUTREACH
CAL, INC conducts classes throughout the greater Boston area specifically designed to introduce kids between the ages of 9-15 to the basic concepts of structural engineering (and geometry and physics by default) by building simple structures and objects. By introducing these otherwise complex, abstract concepts within the framework of building, for example, a fort, children learn through the act of making. Designed to complement many Massachusetts Curriculum Framework standards, the classes use creative and physical tasks to guide instruction. Example:
CAL, INC conducts classes throughout the greater Boston area specifically designed to introduce kids between the ages of 9-15 to the basic concepts of structural engineering (and geometry and physics by default) by building simple structures and objects. By introducing these otherwise complex, abstract concepts within the framework of building, for example, a fort, children learn through the act of making. Designed to complement many Massachusetts Curriculum Framework standards, the classes use creative and physical tasks to guide instruction. Example:
R&D
CAL, INC is a multidisciplinary design studio dedicated to civicly oriented projects that engage, respect and revolve around the rehabilitation and preservation of the environment. Every project undertaken and class taught is done so with an eye towards sustainability- both in terms of the projects use of recycled and / or responsibly harvested materials, and its ability to physically withstand the test of time. To this end, the studio is actively engaged in the research and development of new building products, components, and assembly methods. Example:
PRAYER SCREENS [EARTH BRICKS / TOXIBLOK]
As part of his thesis at Rensselaer, Henry attempted neutralized toxically compromised soil by mixing it w/ Portland cement. He rammed (in the case of bricks) and cast (in the case of larger blocks) the new, composite media, developing a series of modular building components that, as a result of the Portland cement, rendered the compromised material benign. He then began to add granulated post consumer waste plastics as a structural matrix to the larger, cast blocks. In so doing, he replaced the need for traditional aggregate, thus eliminating the costly and environmentally questionable process of mining it. In addition, he developed an alternative to conventional plastic recycling- a practice that is difficult, fossil fuel intensive and expensive, and ultimately yields an inferior product to the equivalent virgin material. The final blocks were lighter than conventional CMUs, but had the same (and in some cases better) compressive strength. From these components, Henry built a series of architectural "constructs." His efforts were awarded first place in the "Concrete Thinking For A Sustainable World." The thesis has been published internationally.
CAL, INC is a multidisciplinary design studio dedicated to civicly oriented projects that engage, respect and revolve around the rehabilitation and preservation of the environment. Every project undertaken and class taught is done so with an eye towards sustainability- both in terms of the projects use of recycled and / or responsibly harvested materials, and its ability to physically withstand the test of time. To this end, the studio is actively engaged in the research and development of new building products, components, and assembly methods. Example:
PRAYER SCREENS [EARTH BRICKS / TOXIBLOK]
As part of his thesis at Rensselaer, Henry attempted neutralized toxically compromised soil by mixing it w/ Portland cement. He rammed (in the case of bricks) and cast (in the case of larger blocks) the new, composite media, developing a series of modular building components that, as a result of the Portland cement, rendered the compromised material benign. He then began to add granulated post consumer waste plastics as a structural matrix to the larger, cast blocks. In so doing, he replaced the need for traditional aggregate, thus eliminating the costly and environmentally questionable process of mining it. In addition, he developed an alternative to conventional plastic recycling- a practice that is difficult, fossil fuel intensive and expensive, and ultimately yields an inferior product to the equivalent virgin material. The final blocks were lighter than conventional CMUs, but had the same (and in some cases better) compressive strength. From these components, Henry built a series of architectural "constructs." His efforts were awarded first place in the "Concrete Thinking For A Sustainable World." The thesis has been published internationally.
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