The dock at this Austin, Texas, project was intentionally crafted as an integrated component of the overall site conditions, helping frame the surrounding land, water, and sky.
However, the width and footprint of the dock were constrained by Austin city code based on the width of the lot’s waterfront. As a result, the dock’s footprint is the minimum necessary to support the boarding and storage of a boat. The placement of the dock was further constrained by an existing man-made inlet and steep topography.
While the city’s zoning code does not allow for opaque walls on boat dock structures, Matt Fajkus Architecture’s design solution was to install calibrated perforated screens. In addition to solving the zoning constraints, the screens create an experience with framed views, a level of privacy, and a balance of sun and shade to create a comfortable year-round outdoor environment.
Leonid Furmansky
Is Vinyl Siding Green?
Vinyl-siding manufacturers make numerous claims for the “greenness” of their product, but many green-building consultants aren’t convinced. To get some insight into the issue, JLC asked industry expert Alex Wilson to weigh in. As the founder of BuildingGreen in Brattleboro, Vt. — which publishes Environmental Building News and GreenBuildingAdvisor.com — Wilson has been writing about these issues for decades. His comments follow.
As with a lot of building products, there are both pros and cons to vinyl siding when it comes to environmental performance. I do not consider vinyl to be a “green” product, but neither do I think it’s as bad as some make it out to be. The primary environmental problem with it is the chlorine chemistry. PVC is about 40 percent chlorine by weight, and in some situations, such as accidental fires or improper incineration, toxic chlorinated compounds, including dioxins, can be produced.
On the positive side, vinyl does not require painting or staining, so the environmental impact of maintaining it is relatively low. Vinyl is theoretically recyclable, though little if any vinyl siding is recycled after being removed from a building.
Many vinyl products contain lead stabilizers, but according to Jery Huntley, president of the Vinyl Siding Institute, lead stabilizers have never been used in North American vinyl siding. To comply with the IRC and IBC, vinyl siding must be certified according to ASTM D3679, which includes a test for lead.
Unlike flexible PVC, which is used in shower curtains, electric cable sheathing, and roof membranes, vinyl siding has never been made with phthalate plasticizers, which are under fire as “endocrine disrupters” — compounds that mimic natural hormones and can interfere with our endocrine systems.
It is also worth noting that vinyl siding takes less fossil-fuel energy to produce than some other siding materials — like fiber-cement — so the climate-change impacts and direct pollution emissions from its manufacture are lower.
On the other hand, both wood and fiber-cement siding — if they’re properly installed and maintained — can outlast vinyl siding. With these products, “properly installed” means prestained, protected by a substantial roof overhang, and installed over an air space (rain-screen detailing). In commercial building, there are some great terra cotta rain-screen cladding systems that I hope will come down in price and make their way into residential applications. — Alex Wilson
As the seasons shift, the dock was created to provide greater shade during the heat of summer and more sun during the cooler winter months. To achieve the desired balance, the design team utilized digital modeling, sun studies, and parametric input to both craft and analyze the performance of the roof and screens. The dock, designed to have a minimal impact on its ecosystem, was constructed from a barge floating on the water to avoid excessive site clearing or disruption. The dock’s steel structure is treated to last in the marine environment, which alleviates the need for constant maintenance that is common with wood structures.
The steel roof, composed of two triangular planes, is optimized for articulating views to and from the site and modulating direct sunlight exposure. The judges commented how, despite the presence of “heavy” steel, the effect of the project is “very light,” which is a testament to the roof geometry and the perforated screen.
Leonid Furmansky
Hardwood and natural stone materials were used for the structure in combination with the dock’s steel frame. The design team sought to integrate the structure with its surroundings while also allowing the project to stand out for its physical expression by changing and reflecting the ambient light and colors of the sky. The project does not include plumbing or HVAC systems, further minimizing its consumption and energy use.
