Threads Through Sheffield

Jomon Pit-Dwelling, Prehsitoric Period

Japanese Architecture, Alex, W. (Studio Vista, London, 196 p.49

Pantadome by Kawaguchi amd Arata Isozaki, Barcelona

Engineering a New Architecture, Robbin, T. (Yale University Press, London,1996) p.48

Separated by over 5000 years and located on opposite sides of the planet these two forms of shelter still have a lot in common. Both use a lowered ‘pit’ to increase internal height for less structure as well as helping thermal and acoustic properties. Both are constructed on the ground and then lifted into place, minimising error and reducing the amount of effort, energy and time involved in construction. And most importantly both forms of construction are reversible, i.e. they can be deconstructed by following the same procedure in reverse; allowing the components to be re-used or recycled.

Two forms of provisional construction seperated by 5 millennia.