The Princeton Envelope Group (PEG) is a design and research unit at the Princeton University School of Architecture. Headed by Alejandro Zaera-Polo and coordinated by Urtzi Grau. The unit is engaged in a three year research program on the Politics of the Building Envelope the conclusions of which will be published in a forthcoming book by Actar Press, Barcelona+New York.

Author: peg

13 Jul

Ben Van Berkel Lectures on the ‘Envelope’

13 Jul

Alejandro Zaero-Polo Lectures on ‘Envelopes’

09 Jul

Fabric AtmoSPHERE

Title Text Passive Conditioning Text Title Text Title Text Title Text Title Text Title Text

09 Jul

New Orleans Site

Program Distribution The original program of the Magnolia Projects was composed of 1400 residential units in flat vertical buildings: 400 X 1 bdr (360sqf), 400 X 2bdr (480sqf), 200 X 2 bdr (540sqf), 40 X 2 bdr (600sqf), 40 X 3 bdr (720sqf), 200 X triplex 2 bdr (600sqf),80 duplex X 2 bdr (600sqf), 40 [...]

09 Jul

Wal-Mart World Map

Walmart World Map The world map charts insolation levels, annual precipitation, cultural protectionism, economic freedom, anti-globalization, and four climatic case studies: Stockholm, Sweden, New Jersey, Cairo, Egypt, and Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.

09 Jul

Shotgun Prototype

New Orleans Vernacular The dominant housing typology is the so called “shotgun house.” It exists in a great variety – from single shotgun, to double, to camelback. TITLE: Shotgun Typology Observations: -people live on the street due to climate condition -the shotgun house works in relationship with the street -the porch is the threshold between [...]

09 Jul

Ecology and Environmental Systems Diagrams

Flat Horizontal Mechanical System The Flat Horizontal is a victim of its own success. In order to accomodate a wide range of events, it depends heavily on systems of mechanical control. Today over half of the building’s annual operating costs are committed to heating and cooling alone. 1/3 of construction costs are committed to temperature [...]

09 Jul

Consolidated Envelope Prototype

The paradigm of the decorated shed is turned inward to reconsider the possibilities of the ground plane and ceiling canopy. The flat horizontal envelope offers the opportunity to supplant mechanical systems and produce architectural effects through its construction of interior climates. Design guidelines for new public buildings explicitly divorice environmental contral from both architecture and [...]

09 Jul

Circle Program Diagrams

The construction of a conditioned interior space for a variety of recreation, assembly and performance programs under could operate under one roof. Combined requirements result in nested envelopes. Diagram explores the organizational potention of the circle as an omni-directional part: radiated organizations, bi-directional organizations, multi-directional organizations, hierarchical whole, non-hierarchical whole, ambiguous whole.

09 Jul

Elements and Section

Roof Elements: Drain (catchment, number of panels, orientation), PV (coverage, panel size, orientation), Skylight (spacing, size, rotation, differentiation), Green (ratio and planting type), Paint (finish, hue shade warm/cool). Section: 1. Extensive Green Roof Subsoil Composite 2. Seasonal Grass Planting by Location 3. Aluminum Flashing 4. 1″ sq. Batten 5. 1″ Rigid Board Insulation 6. Batt [...]

09 Jul

Tube Unit Diagram

Floor Area = Roof Area Availability of Overhead Light: The envelope is deployed as a tunable mechanism of light control capable of regulating direct sunlight to meet a wide range of specific requirements.

09 Jul

NOLA Public Housing Analysis

Hurricane Kartina (2005) left New Orleans in a major lack of housing solutions due to the vast damage created by the storm. One of the results of the hurricane was the rise of real estate values causing the exclusion of a large part of the community, mainly the black, poor part, from the city center. [...]