This thesis develops a transitional approach for moving the design and construction installation of the mechanical systems of the single family dwelling from its custom construction to industrialized products and construction. The approach is referred to as the MECHCORE Approach.

Research of the past attempts to industrialize mechanical systems showed that the primary reasons for failures were high production and product coats, lack of flexibility, and demands for changes too rapid for the housing industry to bear. A review of physical, technical, economic, and business factors of the industry shows that there is a need for industrialized mechanical systems that the industry can take steps toward this end if the steps are transitional enough to cushion the shock of change. The objectives industrialized mechanical systems must reach for to succeed are formulated from research data and used to guide the MECHCORE Approach.

Examins.tion of conventional house framing revealed no real attempt to coordinate it with the physical requirements of medical systems. Ways are suggested to alleviate the problem. A study of distribution and intensity of mechanical systems in the home indicate that there is a great potential for integrating components and coordinating their installation. This can be capitalized on by dividing mechanical components into three functional areas (core, transport, and service) and dealing with them in terms of these areas. This thesis organizes the home’s mechanical system on this three element basis and proposees component integration and levels of rationalization that evolve to industrialize systems.