Exercises in Thematic design Three: Layered forms: gravity, finds us ready to tackle the combination of different architectural systems into a single form where each system covers the entire field of action.

After an illustrated introduction of the principles involved, an introductory first exercise gives free variations on a vernacular house type, composed of two systems: mud brick and wood frame, eventually making its instances combine in what could become an urban field.

Then we move to the 'fat column house' exercise ( see ill. below) where three systems: in-site poured concrete, prefab concrete, and steel trusses, combine. The catch here is that this must be done within a predetermined volume for the final building, thus making for an very intense and compacted play as the different systems stack up.

conclusion of the introduction to the 'fat column house' series of transformations