Project-1948
Usonian Apartments
A Dendriform Dwelling Tower

photo credit: Raymond Morton Hall:
"Raymond Viner Hall Architecture"

This project had a carefully studied design for a concrete multi-story structure. Cores (the trunk of the tree) and floor slabs were to be integralyy poured at the rate of two stories per week, and the prefab finish materials following four stories down. Unique partition arrangements permit 1-1/2 to 5-1/2 unit apartments at will, thus anticipating, changes in the rental markets for the life of the building. Although both aesthetic and financial projections were quite exciting, the client's problems of health caused the project to be laid aside reluctantly.

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The 1/2 vertical skeleton section (right) was structured for flexibility. For production: 5 1/2 room apartments, or 4 1/2 and 1 1/2 room apartments, or 3 1/2 and 2 1/2 room apartments were to meet changing demand. The structure was to be built as a trifarious vertical concrete "core". It was designed with cantilever concrete floorslabs, copper & glass exterior sheath, and integrated heating, lighting, and furniture.

Typical Floor Plan

photo credit: Raymond Morton Hall:
"Raymond Viner Hall Architecture"