Competition Brief
Modular architecture stands out as one of the most versatile design approaches, offering imaginative, efficient, and eco-friendly solutions for crafting homes and living spaces. Unlike conventional building projects, modular construction can function as a building block within an integrated system or as an independent structure, enabling the realisation of innovative designs.
In this competition, participants are challenged to create a modular home adaptable to any form or layout. This home can be situated in a location of their choosing, whether rural, urban, or suburban. The judging panel seeks design concepts demonstrating a thoughtful analysis of what a home represents and could become in an increasingly interconnected and technology-driven world.
This project was a joint effort along with 3 other individuals from the University to produce a detailed proposal towards the brief.
• There is no competition site defined, however, the building would need to be resistant to heat, cold, rain, snow, and wind.
• Environmentally responsible and energy-efficient resources for providing rest and bathing amenities.
• Should be able to generate its own power and provide safe drinking water.
• Attractive accommodation in its own right.
Requirements
Our modular home concept prioritizes environmental adaptability, offering self-sustainability for small families. The design features a garden with hydroponics for food production, ensuring a continuous cycle of sustenance in a controlled environment. The project's modularity allows flexible space configuration to suit various building forms, functions, and climates. Panels and components can be adjusted pre and post-occupancy, catering to diverse site requirements, including coastal, arid, temperate, and snowy conditions.
The units boast rotating roofs, enabling occupants to control daylight and shade. Integrated skylights with solar panels align with the sun's angle, maximizing energy collection. Utilizing hydroponics, 2-3 units grow food and plants indoors. Each unit includes a rainwater collection system, filtering water for various household uses, from hydroponics to showers.
Concept
Simple pile foundations leave no need for heavy machinery to move terrain and the structure can be placed on site. Every unit is equipped with photovoltaic panels, providing the main power source for the building. Throughout specially designed gutters, the building collects, filters and stores rain water in a large tank below the garden unit. This water is used throughout the building and goes through a cycle of filtration and recycling to be used for everyday chores around the house. The garden unit has the biggest environmental benefit. The garden unit has 2 stands stretching across two modules, those stands use hydroponics to grow various plants for the occupants. This method of gardening not only maximizes space because plants can be grown upwards and don’t require soil but it conserves water and facilitates its micro climate, which in turn can be beneficial to the occupants.
The aim of the garden module is to provide food for a family of three all year round. The garden uses hydroponics, a sustainable form of agriculture that allows for growing vegetables without soil. Nutrient levels and pH levels can be easily controlled making optimal use of the nutrients and can promote a faster growth rate. Far less water is used than a standard garden making it far easier to maintain. This allows for this type of agriculture to be suitable in many varying areas around the globe, ideal for a modular home. The hydroponics system is divided into 4 parts easily manipulated via rails, allowing easy access to every single plant. The rows themselves can slide from one side to the other of the module creating a completely moveable system that allows the garden to be integrated with the rest of the house in many ways.
The Gardens
Environment
The timber is naturally fire retardant from the charred treatment, and it is efficient at staving off insect infestations that would destroy untreated timber, as well as rot. The modules can also manage well on uneven or hard rock ground due to the raised pile foundations. The skylights and solar panels will also perform best in these environments by storing energy and providing natural daylighting
The burnt timber cladding can withstand the wide change in climatic conditions over the course of the year. Continental locations will experience a more varied range of precipitation levels and temperature, which the timber can withstand. It can resist warping from high humidity and precipitation, and the guttering system can catch and retain water for use within the internal systems of the module.
The dark exterior cladding efficiently retains and absorbs heat. The building stores energy that it generates from the solar panels and underfloor heating also offers a much more efficient way of warming the space. Additionally, wood-burning stoves can be fitted in the modules. The greenhouse offers a space for growing food when it otherwise cannot be done due to the harsh climatic conditions.
The harsh winds and high salinity levels of the coast can be resisted by the treated timber due to the carbonisation. The module structure also offers the ability to be constructed on a steep edge or slope. Additionally, specific modules can be added to the design such as balconies and overhangs to provide a more suitable, adapted building.
Coastal
Snowy
Temperate
Arid
