A graduate of the Faculty of Interior Design at the Jan Matejko Academy of Fine Arts in Krakow, {tag:studenci} addressed the problem of housing, its availability, adequate space and ever-increasing prices. As one possible solution, she proposed modular houses that grow with the needs of the residents.
Housing is one of the most expensive consumer goods. When a young person invests in his or her first home, he or she has to be careful with the budget, which limits the size of the living space. In addition, as time passes, the needs of the residents change, and the number of people in the family often increases," says Sylwia Turkot.
The house can be expanded by adding more modules, both on the first floor and vertically
© Sylwia Turkot
To meet these expectations, a graduate of the Academy of Fine Arts in Krakow designed modular houses that grow with the needs of their occupants. Starting with a small area, it can be gradually expanded, both by adding another module on the first floor and by creating new floors. This way, owners don't have to worry about whether their house will be too small in a few years, as there is always the possibility of enlarging without moving out. The presented project is a master's thesis created under the guidance of Prof. Rafal Ziembinski and Dr. Malgorzata Zbroinska-Piątek.
house of prefabricated modules
The basic modules of the prefabricated space designed by Sylwia Turkot are: structural modules - sloping ceiling, equilateral wall module, and a wall module with different lengths of sides and a complementary window module. They are designed to complement each other and create different variations of juxtaposition. The modules are manufactured in halls with the latest technology and under controlled conditions.
Designing a space based on them is a bit like a game, in which the appropriate arrangement of "blocks" creates a functional apartment, the author adds.
The modules are divided into structural and complementary ones
© Sylwia Turkot
Thanks to the elimination and reduction of many risks that occur in traditional technology and the use of modern technologies, the construction of prefabricated buildings is more predictable in terms of timing and cost. Importantly, the costs associated with it are also lower due to the fact that most of the construction work is leveled out. The average prefabricated house is thirty percent cheaper than a brick house.
saving time through standardization
Another advantage of modular construction is that the time for the formation of housing units has been reduced to a minimum and is not dependent on weather conditions. To speed up the process of building modules, the author used the most economically advantageous solution - standardization, i.e. as many repetitive elements as possible. In principle, once the functional layout has been agreed upon, one can move on to the first stage of construction, i.e. the creation of the foundation.
The house grows with the needs of the users
© Sylwia Turkot
On the prepared foundation, prefabricated structural wall modules are assembled according to the agreed layout. The construction of the walls is reinforced concrete, with a division into a load-bearing, reinforced layer and an outer, sheathing layer, as well as thermal insulation and an air layer between them. Where the walls do not meet, window modules appear to complete and enclose the entire structure. Already at the stage of module production, appropriate pipes, wires, conduits and other accessories are placed in the formwork to facilitate and shorten the introduction of electrical and sanitary installations. The entire construction work can be shortened even to several months.
In places where the walls do not meet, window modules appear
© Sylwia Turkot
The entire structure is covered by ceilings. Both flat and sloped ones are made of prefabricated hollow core slabs. They are supported on fixed and assembly supports. Reinforcement has been laid at the joints of the slabs to protect them from keyboarding. The roof is additionally covered with protective layers and a sloping layer draining rainwater into gutters hidden in the facade. The sloped ceiling allows additional natural light and the installation of photovoltaic panels.
new technologies and no waste
Among other things, the energy produced by the panels powers a heat pump that heats water and the building, working in conjunction with underfloor heating. Another device that buildings are equipped with is a recuperator. Such an installation provides the house with fresh air, which is filtered, without the need to open windows, while reducing energy loss. Thanks to the cooperation of recuperation with a photovoltaic installation and a heat pump, a compatible heating system with high efficiency is created.
The sloped ceiling allows the installation of photovoltaic panels
© Sylwia Turkot
Faster heating and slower energy loss is one of the features of prefabricated space. In a prefabricated building, the chances of thermal bridges are minimal. Modular walls are better insulated than in the case of a masonry building with thermal insulation, and the joints between modules are additionally protected with mineral wool, and the joints themselves with expansion cord and flexible sealant. Another important element is that the construction does not generate waste, since most of the elements are made before installation. Subsequent work does not require any fitting or cutting of materials on the site.
The interiors are dominated by natural colors and materials
© Sylwia Turkot
nature in the interiors
In the designed interiors , the author used natural colors, textures and materials, which are associated with nature and warm the space, and at the same time are a background for the daily life of the residents. The floor is concrete in the form of poured concrete - a material that is very durable and easy to keep clean. Its neutral shade harmonizes with the rest of the interior elements. The walls were painted with structural paint in the shade of broken white. The whole is complemented by furniture in shades of beige, white and wood, as well as dark raw accessories such as large lamps.
Staying on the topic of housing, we encourage all students to participate in our new HEALTHY HOUSE competition. We are looking for single-family and multi-family home designs that are user and nature friendly, functional and created with the residents in mind.
