Title: Habitat '67 - Towards the Development of a Building System
Date: February, 1967
Volume: 12
Issue: 1
Page number: 60-66
Author(s): Moshe Safdie
https://doi.org/10.15554/pcij.02011967.60.66

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Abstract

Habitat '67 is at once a research project, a mock-up prototype-and an exciting structure of the future that is certain to be a significant architectural milestone. The concept is bold-but not for boldness'  sake. It is one man's answer to the ever louder cry of anguish from our cities. And the answer has warmth and feeling, for it is offered, with people and families in mind. Habitat '67 is part of Expo '67  and, largely because of this, was made possible. At least made possible more easily, since the atmosphere surrounding a World's Fair reaches out to the new, and daring, and imaginative. To  avoid the  frustrations, delays and tediums that many planners face, is all to the good. But at once the pressure of time seriously limited desired preliminary study, research and development, and even change as the  project unfolds. Its technology is the best that the engineers, architects, fabricators, and constructors directly involved can offer-and this is considerable. But it could not hope to achieve the optimum in  all technologies. As a research project it will offer most in what to seek in the future. As a prototype it will exhibit function within its present frame of reference. And the big test still remains-will it do  for people, for families, for the city, that which is envisioned. Moshe Safdie, architect, presented the "why" of Habitat '67 at PCI's Houston Convention and Engineer Jan Komocki reports on its  intricacies of structural design in the following articles.