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{{Short description|Architecture program at the University of Utah}}
[[Image:rammed earth.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Rammed earth]] [[trombe wall]] built as part of a project]]
'''Design Build Bluff''' is a program of The University of Utah's College of Architecture + Planning, where each year, architecture graduate students are immersed in a hands-on opportunity to design and build a full-scale work of architecture in collaboration with the Navajo people. The program derives its name from the town of [[Bluff, Utah]], adjacent to the [[Navajo nation|Navajo Nation]], in which the campus facility is located. Design Build Bluff projects are a full donation to the client and are noted for being innovative, sustainable and award-winning designs. The program is currently collaborating with the [http://mexicanwater.navajochapters.org Mexican Water Chapter House] on more community based projects.<ref name=UoUweb>[http://www.arch.utah.edu University of Utah College of Architecture + Planning website], DesignBuildBLUFF.</ref><ref name=archrecord>[http://archrecord.construction.com/archrecord2/work/0804/DesignBuildBLUFF.asp DesignBuildBLUFF: Drawing on two-by-fours]</ref><ref name=inhabitat>[http://inhabitat.com/2010/07/02/design-build-bluff-sustainable-homes-for-people-who-need-them/ Sustainable Homes for People Who Need Them]</ref><ref name=archidir>[http://www.archidir.com/house-design/sustainably-built-house-by-design-build-bluff-in-navajo-nation-southern-utah/ Sustainably-built House by DesignBuildBluff in Navajo Nation-Southern Utah]</ref><ref name=architonic>[http://www.architonic.com/ntsht/designbuildbluff/7000147 Students from the University of Utah Planning For And With Families Who Live Below the Poverty Line]</ref><ref name=uofu>[http://www.arch.utah.edu/?school_of_architecture%3Edesignbuildbluff%3Emission_and_philosophy DesignBuildBluff Mission & Philosophy]</ref>

The students are empowered “with the practical hard skills needed to test their theories through applied research. With the hope that students will become better, more conscientious, and empathetic architects for the benefit of the larger community.

== History ==

DesignBuildBLUFF was founded in 2000 by University of Utah Professor, Hank Louis. The program is modeled on a [[design-build]] program at [[Auburn University]], known as the [[Rural Studio]], which was founded by [[Samuel Mockbee]]. In the Rural Studio model, students abandon the comforts of campus and home for a cooperative life, to learn about [[architecture]] through action. The design-build paradigm emphasizes experimentation, scale mock-ups, in-process design iterations, consensus-building through ideas and emotions, and juxtaposing diametrically opposed cultures.<ref name=UoUweb/><ref name=archrecord/><ref name=inhabitat/>

Since its inception Design Build Bluff has expanded to include The University of Colorado Denver in 2010, and more recently evolved from an independent non-profit to being formally housed within the University of Utah. Hank Louis has since passed leadership, and in 2013 the program welcomed new director, José Galarza, who came from the [[Yestermorrow Design/Build School]].

== Design and construction ==
The program emphasizes the design and construction of homes using "green-build" techniques such as [[passive solar]], [[rainwater catchment]], [[permaculture]], [[earthen plaster]], [[rammed earth]], [[straw bale construction]], [[cellulose insulation]], Icynene foam (a green, water-based, open-celled [[building insulation]] product), and materials salvaged from the landscape of the reservation itself such as a substratum of natural clay, and reed from the local riverbed.<ref name=UoUweb/>

Design plans are formatted around donated and recycled materials such as lumber, windows, doors and appliances. Additionally, some of the homes are built from a unique material, FlexCrete, a new concrete block product made with fibrous aggregate from the surrounding soil, produced locally on the Navajo Nation, thereby further reducing the need to import building materials. The projects are completed on a modest cash budget, largely due to grant funding, and made possible by the generosity of the local design and construction community. Annual donors such as Big D Construction and 3Form have been involved in the projects for many years. Building sustainable, off-grid homes that have little impact on the environment accomplishes for the Navajo Nation the mission of respecting the landscape while providing adequate housing. As the program includes more community based projects it hopes to reinforce the relationship with the Navajo people, align with community goals, and maintain relevance.

== Projects ==
{{Div col|small=yes}}
* 2000 - Bandstand Project
* 2001 - Bend In the River Project
* 2002 & 2003 - Kunga House
* 2004 - Rosie Joe House
* 2005 - Johnson House
* 2006 - Sweet Caroline House
* 2007 - Benally House
* 2008 - ShipShop & BathHouse; Bluff campus renovation
* 2009 - Whitehorse House
* 2010 - Studio 23 & Windcatcher House
* 2012 - Little Water House
* 2013 - Hozho House
* 2014 - solRose
* 2014 - Mexican Water Cabins
* 2015 - Badger Springs
* 2016 - Cedar Hall
* 2017 - Lone Tree
* 2018 - Fire Mesa
{{Div col end}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* [http://www.arch.utah.edu University of Utah College of Architecture + Planning]
* [https://bluff.designbuildutah.org/ DesignBuildBLUFF website]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20081205020843/http://www.designbuildbluff.org/ Archive of former DesignBuildBLUFF website]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080613211146/http://www.cadc.auburn.edu/soa/rural-studio/ The Rural Studio]
* [http://www.dbia.org Design-Build Institute of America]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080511165234/http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/programs/ruralstudio/ "An Architecture of Decency" Radio Program About Design-build.]
* [http://inhabitat.com/2010/07/02/design-build-bluff-sustainable-homes-for-people-who-need-them/ "Sustainable Homes For People Who Need Them"]

[[Category:Architecture schools in the United States]]
[[Category:University of Utah]]
[[Category:Rammed earth]]
[[Category:Navajo culture]]

Design Build Bluff - Revision history

imported>Rupert Clayton: /* External links */