What Do We Build?

So we go modular... Why so?

Because modularity provides us with different advantages:

• Homogeneous materials throughout constructions
  Less cost consuming once the process has been approved or even less if it already exists.
• Repetitive tasks that can easily be taught to everyday people
  Creating jobs and opportunities; improving skills in one domain.
• Fast reconstruction since each parts can be brought on site very easily and combined in a similar way
  Shelters for everyone as fast as possible.
• Together we stand.
  Compared to one big structure with long spans and complex linked elements reactions, the way a multitude of single small elements will behave is more likely to resist another earthquake.

How Do We Build?

• The structure is a column and beam style construction. It allows more open spaces one can use for whatever purpose he/she wants.
• By providing different units (empty, stairs, living, working, for example), we can offer solutions that only depends on people’s wishes.
• We’re using cross-section-like posts so that all the networks can be included inside, be it electricity or water pipes from upstairs stories or the roof
• The presence of steel reinforcement in the wooden posts allows elements to be easily fixed on the facades, canopies for example...

What Materials Do We Use?

Wood will be the main material. The main reasons for us to use wood are as follow:

• Wood is cheaper than steel.
• Wood is eco-friendly; all treatments against decay, insects, or whatever threat have been studied so that they don’t destroy their own environment.
• Despite all stereotypes, Wood structures can be really resistant to fire since it’s protecting itself against the fire. Though we think wood is better than steel when dealing with fire, people will always be able to exit such houses safely, as stipulated in Chinese fire regulations: the article 5.1.7 which states
  building of class 4 (total floor area < 600m²) can be build with inflammable materials.
• Wood can be easily manufactured before assembly.
• Wood is a light material that can be really easy to carry on site, then assembled with less machinery than steel needs to.

Wood doesn’t mean "old fashioned" though: we will use "Pressure treated" wood called "Southern Pine".
This kind of wood imported from USA is spreading in China for its structural and possible resistance qualities. Its price is similar with Chinese wood with improved quality. The Chinese regulations about Deforestation since 1992 are also in favor of imported wood (see "The Assessment and Monitoring of Forest Resources and Forestry Products Statistics in China"; Appendix B; Liu Dachang & Christian Cossalter; 2006 and "Deforestation and Forest Transition: Theory and Evidence in China"; Yaoqi Zhang; 2000).

Pressure treated wood provides protection against insects among other things. It makes even more sense in the region of DuJiangYan which has a huge colony of termites.
The process is to inject products deep in the wood, near the core, preventing heavy and repetitive maintenance from the owner. Pressure treated wood is viable without any other treatment for 50 years following Chinese code.

Evolution Of The Family

We designed several layouts to show how the building can evolve from one single person to a 5 persons family; we’ve chosen 3 persons family as an intermediate stage, and this is the layout we’ll show on our perspectives and plans.

This is where Conway’s Game of Life takes place: Each module is acting as a cell that can be added depending on the evolution of the family unit.

The whole structure can evolve depending on the needs and the environment of the family and building. It can even have terrace like layouts since the posts have intermediate reinforcements.

Organization On Site

The assembly instructions take all their sense here: “It’s a kit, here’s how to assembly them.”
Basically, people will have the notice which explains how to build the structure and add the different panels between them.
The prefabrication comes in handy by providing easy solutions for putting together plots and beams, and their panel counterparts.

The stairs are designed with wood, but as the panels appearance, they can be done in other materials available on site such as stones (reused or not). The only limit is people’s wishes.