My submission for this competition is marked by two separate routes; the first is an experiment using a pre-manufactured component. The second deals with a simple question- 'What is the life-cycle of our existing built environment?'

THE LIGHT SWITCH MOUNTING BRACKET- My investigation began with a trip to the local home improvement store. I scoured the aisles looking for some special object that caught my attention, something small, strong, cheap, and flexible.the mounting bracket seemed perfect. Anything built from the mounting bracket could be simply un-bolted and re-assembled into something else. I liked the idea of working with an elemental building component, an object from which many different structures could be built. After several weeks of experimentation I came to the realization that what I was making looked cool and innovative but really wasn't very strong, cheap, or flexible. I decided to abandon my experiment and reconsider my approach.

THE WASTE CONNECTOR- The idea of designing buildings that can be disassembled intrigues me a great deal. As I began to think of the life-cycle future buildings could go through, I immediately wondered what kind of cycle our existing buildings go through? Is there a way to improve it? Furthermore, why aren't buildings already designed to be disassembled? Do they cost more? Are they more difficult to build? And, are there psychological barriers associated with purchasing a home that is designed to be torn down? As time goes on I believe many of these barriers can be overcome, but in the end we are still confronted with the fact that nearly all existing buildings were not designed to be disassembled. So when a conventional building is torn down I ask one final question- 'Is there a way to turn that waste into a new space?'

CYCLE DIAGRAM- possessions and house eventually become discarded, that waste will be used to create a new space.

CONNECTION DIAGRAM- an object is attached to the connector with adjustable metal straps pressed against a small metal plate. A hinged bolt is connected to the metal plate allowing the connector to receive objects from nearly any direction.

OBJECTS- the adjustable metal straps allow objects with different shapes and diameters to be connected to one another.

JOINT DETAIL- the flexibility of the joint allows the builder to build in an improvised or ad hoc manner. Preconceiving the exact composition of the structure would be difficult because of the irregular nature of waste. Cables tie into the metal loops providing lateral bracing.

SATURDAY PROJECT- the method of building is clear and straightforward, a father and son could build a small structure in an afternoon.

BIRDS, PLANTS, SHADE- people of various ages, education, and interest could construct useful spaces from objects that would otherwise have been discarded.

ELEVATIONS- the final spaces represent a very individualistic architecture, an architecture that is born of one's own personality, ingenuity, and awareness.