Autonomous Modular House

Faculty of architecture

Project idea

The project was conducted based on cooperation with a research team of AdMas in Brno. The research team specializes in self-sufficient technologies. My job was to contribute to the design process of a prototype of a container house that would serve as a testing facility for various self-sufficient technologies and green solutions. However, due to the relocation of the budget, which was used instead of supporting this project to combat COVID-19, the project could not be fully feasible and thus remained solved only by me in the level of my diploma thesis. For these purposes, the assignment was extended with the creation of modular variants of a prototype and their subsequent assessment when they were used as a part of a city block while maintaining the self-sufficient concept. So the aim was to create a universal modular system, that could be used to build up various compact living unit volumes. The modules are supposed to function as solitaire family houses and the combination of the modules into a residential block and a solitaire block should be possible at the same time. The project presents a form of social rental housing. The concept is based on the overall sustainability and self-sufficiency. On the same side, it supports the idea of community and sharing. The housing modules consist of compact CLT prefabricated panels, that are shipped to a construction site after a remote assembly. The functions associated with housing as well as the self-sufficient systems are placed into a modular grid that is being formed by the base module. The concept is being assessed in the actual city block of Bazová Street in Bratislava with a consideration of the surrounding urban relations.

Project description

MODULE CREATION CONCEPT
The creating of the universal module was based on the experimental assembly of modules into two basic already known typological principles - block and solitary buildings. In order to be able to respond universally to both principles, a compromise has resulted. Thus, the creation of a basic longitudinal module, from which a half and a multiple form is a square and thus allows variable folding for both cases. The module dimensions were originated during the creation of the 3 function types: a technical module (with entrance hall and bathroom), a living module, and a social module (with kitchen and living room). All types have been designed in an effort to make them as compact as possible. The width of the modules was given with regard to the construction, compactness, and also to the construction under the modules, in case of designing underground parking. When determining the width, the overall logistics of the modules was also considered, so that they could be transported in a semi-trailer, which is limited by a width of 2.5 m.

CONCEPT OF MATERIALITY
The choice of material solution was the CLT system, a system that supports modularity, and the overall idea of sustainability. In addition, its prefabrication enables an optimized construction process with the import of pre-assembled modules for construction and their quick assembly and disassembly. As a timber structure, it also reduces the carbon footprint and creates a healthier indoor climate.

FACADE CONCEPT
The facades are also designed in a modular system. The basic half-module 4 x 3.5 m can be divided into 4 parts on each side. This modular plan allows for a variant arrangement of windows and panels. It is therefore supported by a concept with different types of panels that are randomly repeated. As the main element, an insulated panel with wood cladding is used to acknowledge the wood structure.
The system also provides space for the involvement of people in the design process. The modules are delimited by a suspended aluminum frame, which includes a sliding shade rail and hidden drainage of rainwater from the roof terraces and distribution of utility water for watering panels with climbing greenery.

LOGISTICS CONCEPT
To ensure fast and efficient assembly, the design seeks to maximize modular assembly before bringing it to the construction site on the trailer. Therefore, the basic module is divided into two parts, which are connected on-site (in the principle of container folding). Such a semi-module has its own floor CLT panel with floor construction, as well as a ceiling CLT panel and side CLT panels with a facade cladding. Its maximum width, even with the facade cladding, therefore does not exceed 2.5 m.

SUSTAINABILITY CONCEPT
The project is based on basic forms of sustainability such as the use of renewable resources, not only in terms of obtaining energy from PV panels, but also obtaining ground heat using energy pilots, or the overall materiality and choice of a system that allows disassembly and extends the material cycle. Within the design, various forms of green solutions are proposed, such as green facade panels, green roofs, urban permaculture in the form of greenhouses with vertical hydroponic farming or roof gardens. Waste management allows the collection and compost of organic waste usable for farming, as well as the collection of rainwater on the land and its reuse for watering. Another waste-free step is wastewater treatment. The design also includes a well-insulated building envelope with compact spaces that help reduce energy needs for heating and cooling.

URBAN SOLUTION
The concept is verified at a specific location on Bazova Street in Bratislava. Within the jointly solved urban context, the overall revitalization of the Bazová city block, including the surrounding area, is planned. From a broader point of view, the addition of the administrative block on the west side, the extension of the green belt leading from the southern residential complex, and the idea of a newly built park. This park is complemented by a green transition from Svätoplukova Park, which also defines the boundary of the newly created square. It is also planned to revitalize the existing industrial halls, which will give rise to various new urban functions. The overall spatial planning also includes the function of housing with a focus on rental social housing located in the triangular area.
My design is a triangular plateau that responds to the street line of Bazova Street and together with the green crossing, defines the newly emerging square in front of the revitalized industrial halls. I divide the plateau into two blocks with smaller inner blocks, which materially define the space for residential modules. The area of the plateau and the 3 floors above are more private and intended for rental housing, while public functions are set on the ground floor. Its layout allows passage through the square, but at the same time leads to a visit to public functions. The adjacent street profile of Bazová Street is adapted to the calm atmosphere of the new residential block and thus more adapted for pedestrians and cyclists. Within the green park there is a hidden entrance to the underground garage, which is located under the building.

LAYOUT SOLUTION
The divided plateau into two residential blocks - one larger and one smaller, requires the need for three communication cores. These are inserted in reasonable positions and between them are already modules of apartments, which are accessible from the inner galleries. The modules are composed in different ways, but the hygienic cores are always on top of each other. The variable assembly of the modules allows greater freedom in the mass creation and the creation of stepped floors, which can be used as much as possible for the inhabitants for the needs of farming, but also for the needs of meeting or relaxing with the surrounding greenery, simply areas that do not often appear in the urban housing environment. At the same time, they support the idea of self-sufficiency and community thinking. The modular composed plateau is filled with public functions pertaining to housing and emphasizes the very self-sufficiency of the concept. They are e.g. vertical hydroponic greenhouses for fruit and vegetable growing, they include a market and self-service bistro, zero-waste mini-market, bakery, pharmacy, fitness, cafe + co-work, but also a multifunctional pavilion as an event space. The green solutions also include bicycle shelters by the cores, cycle lanes, a water area, green recreational modules, community gardens on a plateau, and roof terraces and greenery on the facades. All functions are thus integrated into the modular grid.

Technical information

MATERIAL AND CONSTRUCTION SOLUTION
The entire 1st floor is formed as a reinforced concrete skeleton in combination with load-bearing reinforced concrete walls. The column system is based on the basic modular grid and from the structures above. The three communication cores are designed from reinforced concrete prefabricated panels. All other structures are designed as wooden structures. The plateau-bearing parterre consists of modular wooden columns and the CLT facade cladding. Wooden columns with beams and ribbed CLT ceiling system forms a walkable plateau with grassy modular areas and community gardens. Assembled CLT half-modules with a width of 2 m and a length of 8-12 m are placed on the plateau, which would be shipped to the construction site on a semi-trailer. A total of 53 flats are assembled in this way on the 3rd and one recessed floor.

THE CONCEPT OF SELF-SUFFICIENCY OF THE RESIDENTIAL COMPLEX
RES 1 - PHOTOVOLTAICS
All areas of green roofs are used for the installation of PV panels (500 m2). Their interaction with green roofs can have a positive effect on the performance of the module, especially in summer - when the green layer provides a cooling effect and can increase their efficiency. Photovoltaics is also part of sliding shading panels in the form of semi-transparent elements in window constructions (there are a total of 80 m2 on the south and west facades) and in a similar form also on the roofs of greenhouses. (120 m2). The obtained energy is led to the technical room in the basement (in the size of two modules), where the battery storage is located. Alternatively, the electricity can be sold to the public grid.

RES 2 - THE USE OF EARTH HEAT THROUGH HEAT PUMP
Another renewable source in this concept is the use of ground heat through heat pumps and energy pilots. The whole building is founded on concrete pilots, which do not only fulfill a static function but are equipped with a special pipe as a heat transfer medium. Thanks to this, the pilot also acquires the function of a heat exchanger - it acts as a source of heat in the winter or cooling in the summer In one technical room for each block there are 2 heat pumps, 2 heated drinking water tanks, and a control unit, which ensure the distribution of hot drinking water to households. The distribution of heated water directly from the heat pump to surface wall heating in households covers heating/cooling needs.

GREEN SOLUTIONS
In terms of increasing the quality of the microclimate of the urban environment, green roofs are designed on all roofs above the 5th floor. The greenery is also integrated into the facade panels in the form of a flowerpot, which is part of the aluminum frames with an integrated irrigation system and a mesh for carrying out climbing greenery. The solutions are supplemented by the concept of so-called urban permaculture, which can partly allow food self-sufficiency. The resulting roof terraces mainly fulfill a garden function with the creation of modular areas for farming pots and the growing of fruits, vegetables, or herbs. For apartments that did not miss such a terrace, there are areas for shared growing or even greenhouses with the possibility of vertical farming. Greenhouses with a larger capacity, extending over two floors, are located on the 1st floor near the market and self-service bistro, where the grown goods can be used directly for sale in the market or consumption in the bistro itself. On the 1st floor, there is also a module with the collection of organic waste and a composter for its subsequent use for fertilization.

WATER MANAGEMENT 1 - WASTEWATER TREATMENT AND USE
The self-sufficiency system is complemented by the treatment and utilization of wastewater on the plot, which can be provided by a wastewater treatment plant located in the basement. The purifier is designed for about 160 people and occupies a volume of 2 modules. The purified water is distributed by means of technical installation cores to households and can be used for toilets flushing.

WATER MANAGEMENT 2 - RAINWATER COLLECTION AND USE
Rainwater collection is enabled by gutters located in the corners of buildings and horizontal gutters located in aluminum frames. All water from the roof terraces and green roofs are drained into retention tanks located under the park with the possibility of infiltration. The water can then be used for watering greenhouses, gardens and recreational greenery on the 1st and 2nd floor

QUALITY OF THE INTERNAL ENVIRONMENT
From the point of view of energy savings and a better indoor climate, an air recuperation system is proposed by means of a recuperation unit for each residential block. The supply of fresh air is from the 1st floor and the discharge of polluted air through the technical installation cores above the roofs of buildings. Clean and polluted air from/to households is also distributed via the technical installation cores.

Co-authors

The project was consulted under the supervision of doc. Ing. arch. Henrich Pifko, CSc.