to conduct sophisticated scientific studies is greatly hindered by the lack of infrastructure and facilities with minimal environmental impact. Critical technology is badly needed at remote research sites where biological studies are being conducted under natural conditions. In order to overcome this limitation, engineers, architects and computer and biomedical scientists must target it in a systemic manner, bridging gaps with critical technology, and developing new technology where none is available.

The goal is the further development and prototyping of a rapidly deployable, scaleable, field-ready infrastructure through integration of multiple complex systems. Through on-site evaluation of the recently completed portable laboratory and further research into existing technologies, a hierarchy of dependencies will be uncovered that inform the relationships of each system and group. A template of evaluation will develop to analyze the existing portable laboratory and supporting infrastructure that will consist of both qualitative and quantitative data collection. Parallel research through case study and scope assessment will attempt to uncover areas of integration as well as further understanding of functional needs and manufacturing processes related to infrastructure production.

Using this hierarchy a portable infrastructure will be developed that incorporates shelter, power, communications, educational facility, computing, waste management systems and fully adaptable laboratory. Each component, while integrated, should remain somewhat self-sustaining to allow a highly customizable system to occur. Through exploration of innovative materials, processes, and assembly methods this portable infrastructure will accommodate dynamic infrastructure needs.

The developed system will be evaluated on its ability to provide a low impact solution for remote research in sensitive environments, disaster relief housing, and on-demand medical facility. Underlying consideration toward the justification for mass production and the identification for end user groups will exist throughout.

The result of funded development of rapidly deployable, portable infrastructure will be a mass producible, highly customizable system that can be made available at a low cost to researchers, healthcare agencies, and disaster relief entities. It is our belief that our infrastructure can facilitate discovery, education, and healing in otherwise impossible situations.

Two existing prototypes have been developed that represent success in the exploration of portable solutions to specific criterion driven circumstances. T.U.T (Transportable Urban Typology) is a small-scale portable research unit designed for use in the Eastern Shore of Virginia, USA. Beginning in 2000 founding team leader Matthew Lutz and a small group of students designed and built T.U.T as a working prototype of a portable laboratory.

P.L.U.G (Portable Living on Uncommon Grounds) currently exists in the form of a prototype remote research facility in use in the Mahale Mountains, part of the Tanzanian National Park Association. P.L.U.G is the result of a specific program requiring a portable, adaptable, low impact, laboratory infrastructure that can be built and deployed on an extremely limited budget. Beginning in the fall of 2005 our team designed and constructed this unit based on the knowledge gained from the previous portable laboratory. P.L.U.G. was developed to meet several key goals. The unit must be portable. Given the location and inaccessibility of our site in Mahale each component of the laboratory must not exceed a weight that can be carried comfortably by two people. In addition the laboratory must be able to be constructed by only two individuals using innovative tool-less connections. The unit must be adaptable and able to accommodate changing uses and sites. The unit must be low impact. P.L.U.G. was designed with specific foundation components that allow the building to be removed leaving no memory of itself. The existing unit relies on a ridged aluminum chassis that is in-filled with lightweight structurally insulated modules. The structural chassis securely houses the laboratory and provides clean research space. A fabric super structure creates a heat shield for the main chassis while providing a second floor living space for up to four researchers. This infrastructure incorporates a three-kilowatt solar array, a long-range directional communications satellite dish, as well as toilet and shower facility.

P.L.U.G. is a prototype eco-friendly infrastructure designed and built for the conduct of biological studies in geographically remote areas. It is the result of a unique and innovative collaborative research program between the Virginia Tech’s College of Veterinary Medicine and College of Architecture and Urban Studies. Together, faculty and students developed, deployed and constructed PLUG at the Mahale Mountains National Park, Tanzania (latitude 6ºS, longitude 30ºE). Construction of this unit was completed in March of 2007. During the summer of 2007 our team traveled to Tanzania to deploy the prototype. In-situ field-testing began during August of 2007 and all systems met or exceeded expectations.

Drawing from these successes and our growing experience, our team has the ability to successfully develop a highly customizable, portable, rapidly deployable, field ready infrastructure. We have compiled a team consisting of three graduate students and faculty within the Virginia Tech College Of Architecture and Urban Studies. The School of Architecture houses unprecedented resources that will facilitate the project. We have access to professionally equipped metal fabrication facilities, wood production shops, a plastic studio and have recently added multi axis CNC milling, metal cutting, and router facilities. The availability of our facility drastically reduces the cost of fabrication, which allows us to focus resources on the specific goal at hand. Our team has a very close working relationship with Dr. Taranjit Kaur of the College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Kaur was the catalyst for the development of P.L.U.G and has worked on design teams of numerous laboratory facilities on the Virginia Tech campus and across the country including the Salk Institute renovations. Dr. Kaur is currently utilizing the P.L.U.G. prototype laboratory while conducting research in Mahale.

The National Science Foundation (NSF), U.S.A. under NSF Grant #0238069, awarded to Dr. Taranjit Kaur, supported portions of the P.L.U.G prototype. Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the NSF.

Team Members:

Jonathan Lee King (Nathan):
I am currently in the second year of a Master of Architecture Degree at Virginia Tech. I completed criteria for the Master Of Design degree in Industrial Design in the spring of 2007 with a concentration on component construction and modularity. I have a strong scientific background as well as undergraduate degrees in Art and Art History. I have served as team leader from the origin of the P.L.U.G. proposal. During my design education I have design a portable hydrogen fueling station for the department of mechanical engineering at Virginia Tech and have been heavily involved in many design/build projects. Current projects include a modular educational facility for the SEEDS environmental organization in Blacksburg, Virginia USA.

Matthew Lutz:
Assistant Professor, School of Architecture and Art, Norwich University
B.F.A. Historic Preservation Savannah College of Art and Design
M. Arch. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
Matthew Lutz is a licensed architect in the Commonwealth of Virginia and was most recently an Assistant Professor in the College of Architecture and Urban Studies at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. He is currently an assistant professor in the School of Architecture and Art at Norwich University where he teaches Introductory to Passive Design and introductory courses in building systems. His other course offerings have included topics in upper academic level design, recording and interpretation of historic structures, and special study courses focusing on portable dwellings. Mr. Lutz’s research interests include studies in mobile, solar powered buildings, and research related to low-income housing alternatives. With a team of faculty he was recognized by Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University with an Excalibur Award for excellence in a comprehensive cross-disciplinary technology-enriched project that focused on the design and construction of an environmentally sensitive mobile solar powered dwelling. His efforts in research related to Virginia Techs entry in the Solar Decathlon competition contributed toward the U.S. Department of Energy’s Innovation Award in the 2002 Solar Decathlon Competition. This award, to the Virginia Tech Solar Decathlon Competition Team, was for outstanding innovations in a solar powered, grid independent housing model.

Mr. Lutz was recognized in 2006 /2007 with a Faculty Design Award from the ACSA (Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture) and with a New Faculty Teaching Award from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. His most recent efforts have resulted in the design and construction of a portable bio-medical research station being used by scientists studying human-animal health issues in the remote Mahale Mountains of Tanzania.

David Bradley Clark:
Mr. Clark received his Bachelor of Architecture in 2006 and is currently pursuing his Master of Architecture at Virginia Tech. David served as team leader for the highly successful 2005 Virginia Tech Solar Decathlon entry and has unique expertise in mobile architecture. David designed and implemented the power integration in the existing prototype and traveled to Tanzania and assisted in the remote deployment of the P.L.U.G laboratory. In addition to these experiences David is skilled in areas of fabrication and construction.

Clive Vorster:
Mr. Vorster is currently a PHD candidate in Environmental Design and Planning with a concentration on industrialized processes. Clive Received both Bachelors of Architecture and Master of Science degrees from Virginia Tech and has taught courses in structure, industrial design, architecture, and foundation design. Clive traveled with the team to Tanzania to study remote infrastructure.

Professor Robert Dunay:
Director of Industrial Design
RA, T.A. Carter Professor
Professor Dunay was one of the primary faculty advisors for the 2002 and 2005 Virginia Tech entry in the Solar Decathlon Competition sponsored by the Dept. of Energy. Both projects fared well in the international competition with the 05 house capturing first place in critical categories of architecture, dwelling, day lighting and electric light judged by an international panel of architects and designers. He has also led two exhibitions selected on a competitive basis for the International Contemporary Furniture Fair held at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York. The 2003 exhibit won the Editor’s Award for Best Design School as determined by the editors of top international design magazines.

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