Arrangement Modulation Landscape

The building modules which measure 5 meters by 10 meters are stacked and copied in a linear arrangement. The building modules are divided between family units which are two storied units and single units which are intended for couples and single people. The intention of using building modules is to make mass produced timber construction possible. The modular design will make it possible for future expansion by using dimensional lumber.

The building modules are pushed and pulled to create cantilevers and balconies. These balconies can be shared or be left private. This iteration starts to give the project its recognizable identity. The cantilevers project 2 meters over the module below, and creates a shaded balcony for the units below. The balconies on the second floor are 2 meters long which help open up the building module with the exterior.

The building modules are further developed into voids and terraces. Building modules are removed from the ground floor to create a connection through the whole building. The entrances to the individual units will be from this created connection. Users can also access the second floor using a metal staircase which is placed in this connection space. The voids on either end of the building will be used as a shared terrace for the family units. They will be equipped with planter boxes which are shared between two family units, this will help initiate a relationship with your neighbor

Concept

The main design concept was to find a way to connect inhabitants to the community. We achieved this by creating spaces where meeting your neighbor is emphasized, the shared family balcony helps bridge that gap. The connection between indoor and outdoor spaces was important to us, to instill a sense of community. The balconies and decks are all equipped with personal planter boxes to cultivate your own herbs, vegetables and fruits. These planter boxes connect humans to nature and was one of the biggest symbol seen throughout our design. We fell in love with the idea of nurturing your own plants, as it is the best connection to learn about nature. We purposely used large sliding and folding windows on the cantilevers and balcony to connect the modules to the exterior

Amenities

The planning of the building unit are mixed with single and family units. The family units will be found on either end of the building unit with entrances from the connection space or the exterior. Each building unit has a commercial, mercantile or retail space on the ground floor accessible to everyone, including visitors. Each building unit will have a different space which are rented out to businesses. The residential units coupled with the commercial spaces help achieve a level of autonomy. People can park their vehicles in the basement floor and can access the ground floor using a staircase or elevators. Maple trees which are indigenous to the Netherlands are planted on both ends of the connection spaces.

The community plaza illustrated below, shows how connections between the building units and nature are conveyed. People can grow their own vegetables, herbs and fruits in this community farm and can help sustain a natural way of living.

Space Program

Family Unit

The family unit’s planning began with the entrance. We chose to have pivot doors on each module’s entrance to create a more stable entrance that doesn’t require a frame. This keeps the entrance clean with minimal lines. All the units are structured using framed timber construction. All pieces of lumber used in the frames are dimensional lumber ranging from 2x4s to 2x12s. The cantilever is supported by steel I-Beams and are framed with dimensional lumber.

The family unit has all the storage on the ground floor and has a ladder staircase that connects the ground and upper floor. The kitchen and dining spaces are shared spaces with a murphy dining table. This allows for multiple uses within the kitchen maximizing its small footprint. The living room opens up to the outdoor deck with 3 glass pivot doors. These doors will help create directed air movement inside the module.

Timber Framed Modular Construction

The key feature of the proposal is the construction. It is done entirely of framed timber construction and steel structural members. We developed a system where future expansion can be possible by attaching new frames to the existing structure. 2x4s are used for wall frames and 4x4s used along corners and either sides of wall openings. Using dimensional lumber makes construction, fabrication and future expansion easy and affordable.

Planning

The entrance is through a pivot door cladded with the matching exterior siding. It opens into a foyer-esque space with a wall mounted bike stand. Storage cubbies are attached to the wall with a complimenting wood finish. The full bathroom has a pocket door to maximize floor space. The standing shower can be retrofitted to fit a bath tub.

Planning

The module is entered through a 1200 mm wide pivot door and is greeted by a wall mounted bicycle rack. Storage cubbies run down the length of the wall with a queen size bed at the end. The kitchen is separated from the living area through an island used for dining. The balcony has a large folding door that completely connects the indoors to the outdoors. The living area wall is finished with a light grey stucco with regular reveals.