PREFAB SUKKAH

SUKKAH PREFAB
Julian Ozen
The Concept
For a holiday so focused no comma on bringing people into nature, Sukkot can produce
excessive amounts of waste. Mounds of Paper
chains, decorations, wood scraps and dead
"schach" go to waste every year as Jews gather outside to become one with nature.
In entering Sukkah City I asked, "Can we rethink the traditional method by which we
build and dispose of these structures?"
In 2011, there are very few times where an
individual would pull out a set of traditional
tools. The Industrial Revolution and combined
with increasing amounts of Globalization have
obviated the need for an individual to possess any level of building skills, making it increasingly difficult to uphold the traditional
requirements of Sukkot. Unlike the traditional
Sukkah, Sukkah Prefab is easy to assemble,
easy to store and easy to reuse. It's parts are
built of high quality materials that better fend
off the weather, and its modular pieces allow
for more personalization.   
Sukkah Prefab is designed to bring comfort
ease and sustainability to the modern Sukkah
building process. In the same that way that
IKEA has built an empire around clean, easy to
build furniture, Sukkah Prefab is designed to
take the labor out of building a Sukkah, while
creating a space that is comfortable to live in
and better designed to serve the functions of
a modern traditional family.
The Panel
The concept behind, "Sukkah Prefab" is based
around a core piece, “the panels.” I wanted the panel to be as versatile as possible
^and searched for material that would be sturdy, easy  to fasten and customizable.
The hole in the center of the frame is accessed
through a gap at the top. In it can fit a 3x7’
standard mesh screen. Sukkah Prefab would
also offer various lengths.  of wood, fabric,
metal, lucite and other materials to make each
family’s Sukkah more personal.
For the actual competition, the design of the
panel would probably be less complex.
Each piece would lock together with standard parts found in home depot. The fastening
system shown would be replaced with door
hinges. My models however show what I would
think to be more ideal in a manufacturable
product.
The Panel
Slide in Panels Allow for
Easy Customization
Panels lock through
simple joints
Top View
Front View
Side View
Rafter
Traditionally, Sukkahs are built using Palm
leaves known as "schach." Schach however
dries within the week and cannot be used year
over . Sukkah Prefab offers a sustainable alternative that can not only be reused, but modified from year to year .
Continuing with the modular design, Sukkah
Prefab uses rails that are easy to attach and
detach, locking into place and reinforcing the
structure. These railsfollow traditional law in
that they are made from organic material but
still remains reusable.
can easily be attached to the ceiling,
and it is easier than ever to attach string
lighting and fixtures.
Holes in the rafters allows for easier decoration. Traditional paper chains and plastic fruits
Top View
Front View
Rafters can be bought for
varying sized Sukkahs
Holes allow for traditional
Sukkah decorations or lighting
Exstention Pieces
Two of the traditional requirements of
Sukkot are that Jews are supposed to
both eat and sleep within the Sukkah.
As people continue to adapt to modern
lifestyles, eating has become relegated
mostly to a couple of weekend meals
and dinner parties, while very few individuals still sleep within the Sukkah. One of the goals of Sukkah Prefab
would be to make performing these
mitzvahs as easy as it is to assemble
the Sukkah.
In addition to the standard frame piece,
Sukkah Prefab also offers custom pieces for added functionality. A pullout
table and serving stand makes Sukkah
Prefab better for hosting parties as well
as eating casual dinners. A mattress or
sleeping bag panel means that sleeping
in a Sukkah no longer means sleeping
on the floor. These additional comforts
should hopefully turn the Sukkah back
into ones temporary but primary dwelling as intended.
Extension Table
Top View
Front View (Closed)
Side View
Extension Bed
Top View
Front View (Closed)
Side View
SUKKAH PREFAB
Julian Ozen