LIGHT METAL AGE Vol. 5, p. 25 Sept. 1947 ...ALUMINUM IS FEATURED in the Muntz house, designed by Jacque Fresco of Scientific Research Laboratories and marketed by Earl W. Muntz of Los Angeles. Aluminum is used as the chief material because of its light weight, high strength weight ratio, permanence, and ease of shop fabrication. Its light weight reduces shipping costs and permits the fabrication of larger sections in the factory, while extending the radius or profitable marketing. Factory produced units for an entire house are said to weigh only a little more than 5,000 lbs. Framing members and walls are erected on previously laid concrete foundations, poured into a standardized mold, around a network of previously assembled and set-in plumbing pipes and electrical conduits. Roof of the structure slopes down to an abrupt curve and then becomes the rear wall. This wall is securely anchored in the concrete foundation and braced by specially designed extrusions which are connected by patented lock joints. This roof and rear wall have lengthwise corrugations which act as stiffeners and at the same time provide drainage channels to the rear of the house. Insulation is provided by the reflective nature of aluminum and by an inner lining of spun glass. |