In the Details

Spring 2023

Independent Study Partners: Sabin Ciocan (eave detail), Avery Lakeman (door detail), Sam Miller (not pictured)

Independent Study Advisor: Ron Rael

University of California, Berkeley

This course is meant to bridge the gap between the pristine drawn detail and the messy realities of the construction process. Sea Ranch, located 2.5 hours North of Berkeley was selected as a precedent study as it exemplified simple building principles and celebrated California design.

Through constructing three details from the Cluster Houses at Sea Ranch, we sought to better understand the costs and labor invisible behind drawn details. The process of building these details included finding the original documentation, translating this information by digitally redrawing it, sourcing materials, and making judgment calls on following current best practices versus those represented in the drawing.

In this process, we revealed the layers of complexity underneath what appear to be relatively simple details, and in that uncovering, developed a more nuanced understanding of the translation of drawing to building.