I've been admiring the work posted on PPB for a while and am finally getting around to posting a project of my own. Any and all comments are welcome!So without further ado, here it is:

Project: Hypothetical - exploring the idea of a modern residence that can be transported by truck. This residence would most likely be used as a retreat or vacation home.
Location: Anywhere that will allow semi trailer access. A sloping site on a pristine lake would be nice (see images).
Type of Project: Residential/Mobile
Design Approach: I started with a maximum width allowable for semi-trailer transport - 14'-0" wide in this case. The length was determined by reducing the interior to a "comfortable" minimum. Spaces include a living/dining area with wood-burning stove, galley kitchen, bath, and bed platform w/ storage below. The functions are pushed to the middle to allow circulation along the edges. Construction would consist of a timber post/beam frame with rigid moment (steel plate) connections. Posts would be spaced to allow 8'-0" width between each - this allows for finishes to follow a standard 4'x8' module. Exterior cladding would be wood/windscreen construction. Windscreen would incorporate vertical reveals at structural post locations. Window openings are limited to the two short ends of the structure. A roll-down shutter on each end will secure the home while it is unoccupied. Interior finishes have not been determined.

By the way, the structure would be set on a site-built foundation in this case.

View of living/dining area side

view of entry/bed platform side

interior view. plan to follow

floor plan

I Love this concept... very simple and do the work. The graphics you use, though conveys the idea, is a little lifeless – Try to add colors and materials, the wood and metal play here could be very nice.

Do you plan to further expand this concept for something like a modular basic unit that can be stacked or placed side by side in a way to allow a bigger overall unit ?

The location of the bedroom is not a highlight I think… with glazing to the entrance, maybe a flip will do a better job with the option to open the bedroom to the main living are with the lake view ?

The double corridor thing is a little limiting factor (the work area in the kitchen) even thought the symmetry is very nice, how about testing just one and shifting the spaces to the side ?

For such a small scale project i would have wanted to see more details in your views... this things could make this even better.

on a last note - i dont think the sofas you used are good for this design.


your design reminds me of the Suitcase House by Gary Chang
Commune by the Great Wall (http://www.commune.com.cn/chinese/product/commune/index.html)

I agree with Bakbek, I dont really understand what you are trying t achieve by having two entrances. All it really accomplishes in this scheme is extra "dead space."

The concept for the project is very interesting, good work on that front. I think though that you should consider the necessity of having any "corridor" space in such a small scheme. IMHO corridors are invariably places used to get from one place to another and that is it, If you flipped the kitchen and the bedroom, you could enter directly into the kitchen and thus eliminate most of the corridor, with the exception of a small area to pass the bedroom. This would give a much more spacious kitchen work area too.

Cheers


Andrew

Ewagner, maybe you should check FABPREFAB (http://www.fabprefab.com/) website. It's a valuable ressource exploring the prefab housing concept. Lots of examples there, good and bad. (I think I found this website some time ago thx to Greg's own website).
Anyway, I agree with other's comments about the double circulation on each side of bedroom and bathroom. Seducing in plan but totally undefendable concept in terms of space optimization, which in my opinion should be the first concern in small prefab houses. I'm sure it could work much better if you developp one single corridor, maybe glazed. This would allow your project to have another orientation. Right now, actually, the whole house is like a single corridor only allowing views in one direction.
About rendering, try to put some materials on and reduce shadow darkness. Hmm... not sure about the sofas... but hey, that's a matter of personal taste :D

Hope to see some more soon :cheers:

By the way, the structure would be set on a site-built foundation in this case.
Not a bad concept to start with.
That would be a huge (empty?) foundation.
Why not develope a module to go underneath. The bedroom could be placed there, with a stair connecting the groundlevel with the terrain (and the bedroom) below. The interior would gain a vertical quality and the excess corridor could be used for this purpose. The current bedroom area could be used as a storage from the outside maybe.

For sure a huuuuuge empty foundation would be quite uncomprehensible... If empty, then why not put units on colums? :wondering

I Wonder how this foundation will play with the fact it is a mobile scheme... the transportation thing will be a problem in that respect... even if it is good idea to use this space for some function - Bedroom, Double Vertical Space, Utility Area...

Hoe do the foundation work in your scheme ewagner? is it built on site on transport, or is it constant on site? this may effect the potential use of this space.

;) very interesting and simple design, i would like to see how you use color and material to enhance the simplicity of the design and yet keep it attractive..
good work.
davis

Thank you all for the quick replies. The foundation was not initially intended to be an issue, but I see how the large empty volume of the foundation could be considered wasted space. After reading your responses, I think a more appropriate foundation solution would be a series of concrete piers - no wasted volume here. The piers could be poured on site and the living module lifted on to them with a crane. Let me ponder the other plan issues for a bit... :)

Already looking much more convincing to me! :D

Maybe you should consider participating to the LIVINGBOX (http://www.edilportale.com/livingbox/eng/livingbox.htm) competition and push your design even further. :D

I kind of liked the visual of the mass foundation... it is better looking the pillars option. Isn't poured on site pillars the opposite of the Mobile concept?

Bakbek - I think most mobile structures require some site accomodations - whether it is a simple concrete pad to set the unit, a few concrete piers, or a more solid/permanent foundation as depicted in my earlier images. I suppose, though, that the truest form of mobile structure would incorporate mobile foundations or "feet" that could adapt to a variety of site situations :wondering I'm not sure I've seen anything like this yet.

Hmmm - have you looked at the Studio 804 Modular1 house and Modular2 house?

http://fabprefab.com/fabfiles/fabschool/UKansasStudio804/modular1pics/Studio-804-001.jpg

http://www.studio804.com/projects/750shawnee/week19_images/ext_sod.jpg

I like what you have done, but you are going to have to try very hard to break new ground with this idea. Much of what I see in your sketches has been done before and it would probably really useful for you to look at more. Try the FabZone at www.fabprefab.com

Thats pretty cool stuff Greg, can you recommend any more good sources of prefab info?

Cheers

Andrew

Greg, thanks for your comments. This project is by no means an attempt to break new ground. I've been visiting fabprefab.com for quite some time already and appreciate many of the projects there. My design is merely a design "exercise" - an attempt to throw another option out on the table. After all, the only way for a typology such as this to develop is for designers/architects to make small refinements along the way. As an eternal optimist, I think small, tangible, affordable projects have great merit in spreading the language of modernism to the general public.

Well then I'm behind you 100%. You've got to get one built.

I now it's recently fashionable to place buildings against the slope of the terrain, but it's not the most economical and feasible solution.

I would also design the prefab buildings to open along the long side with panels going up and down to create a roof and deck that expands the house.

Interessting weekend house featured in DETAIL (http://www.detail.de/Archiv/En/HoleArtikel/1987/Artikel) magazine 3/2001. House in Vallemaggia, Switzerland. Architect: Roberto Briccola.

another pic

last one

Interessting weekend house featured in DETAIL (http://www.detail.de/Archiv/En/HoleArtikel/1987/Artikel) magazine 3/2001. House in Vallemaggia, Switzerland.

reminds me a bit of the house extension you did Michel! :wondering

Yes - as if that tall boxy house collided with the brick cottage!

Ok ok, I'll try to take some time soon to post that extension back. :D
In the meanwhile, here's a sneek preview...

This reminds me of an article a read about an architect in Aspen CO who re-designed his trailer in a mobile home park there. (I cant recall what publication it was in) I'm all for modern mobile/prefab homes. Especially if they are relatively inexpensive. It allows people who dont have alot of funds access to live in a modern style home. Heck, I'd live in one!

I found this trying to get more examples of modern mobile homes.

Jennifer Siegal: Mobile Home Design
Los Angeles

"Jennifer Siegal is principal and owner of Office of Mobile Design. OMD's focus is on the design and construction of portable, demountable, and mobile structures. Clients include The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, Venice Community Housing Corporation, and the Hollywood Beautification Team. She is an Assistant Professor of Architecture and director of the History/Theory Department at Woodbury University" Source: (http://www.volume5.com/ecolab/index.html)

http://www.designmobile.com/

2..

3..

Ok ok, I'll try to take some time soon to post that extension back. :D
In the meanwhile, here's a sneek preview...

you big tease, you...:rolleyes:

i missed that post, and I'm looking forward to your repost...

Ok ok, I'll try to take some time soon to post that extension back. :D
In the meanwhile, here's a sneek preview...

:bump:
Great thread.
Micheal did you ever post this one?