A team of students from Poznań University of Technology also took this year's Modular Home Design Challenge 2021. Eliza Tomczak, Patrycja Skawicka, Piotr Skorupiński and Marcjanna Wabińska are the authors of the Modewood project. Their concept, which can be adapted to varying weather conditions, received an honorable mention in the competition organized by Bee Breeders.
The goal of the international Modular Home Design Challenge 2021 was to design a modular home that can be built in any form and layout, erecting it in a location of choice: rural, urban or suburban. The jury was looking for design concepts that demonstrate a critical analysis of what a home is and can be in today's increasingly technology-driven world. We wrote about the detailed guidelines and the composition of the jury, as part of The Family's Background project by Warsaw University of Technology students, for which they received the BB Green Award.
The Modewood project received an honorable mention in the Bee Breeders competition
© Eliza Tomczak, Patrycja Skawicka, Piotr Skorupinski, Marcjanna Wabińska
Honorable mention for the team from Poznan University of Technology
Among the awarded works was a project entitled Modewood by Eliza Tomczak, Patrycja Skawicka, Piotr Skorupinski and Marcjanna Wabińska. As they say about themselves:
We are a group of fourth-year students of the Faculty of Architecture at Poznan University of Technology. Modular architecture is in the circle of our interests, but the main idea of our work is sustainable development, as well as pro-social design and the issue of low-energy architecture. In the name of the principle of less is more, in our projects we focus mainly on minimalism, while using ecological materials and, above all, those of native origin, so that the involvement of local businesses is also ensured. We also believe that architecture should not appropriate nature but coexist with it. The symbiotic coexistence of architecture with nature is very important to us, and even crucial in the creation of the space we design.
The project consists of four modules and can accommodate a family of three
© Eliza Tomczak, Patrycja Skawicka, Piotr Skorupinski, Marcjanna Wabińska
Modewood, or universal house
The house designed by the students consists of four modules and is designed to comfortably accommodate a family of three. Modewood was created with the idea of creating an ergonomic and functional place to live. In order to ensure that the full privacy of the household members is maintained, the authors separated a separate night zone. In addition, the living area opens up to the surrounding nature. The architects also created a clear division between private and public space. The house consists of modules: one of them contains a private area, a bedroom and a common entrance area. The other is fully public with an open space that includes a living room and kitchen, as well as a terrace.
Different types of roofs allow Modewood to adapt to virtually any climate
© Eliza Tomczak, Patrycja Skawicka, Piotr Skorupinski, Marcjanna Wabińska
Modewood is versatile, which means it can be adapted to a variety of locations - preferably in rural and suburban areas. The modular home is both efficient and sustainable. Thanks to the flexibility of the roof modules, various combinations are possible, making the building adaptable to varying weather conditions. Thus, in a mountainous landscape, where snowfall must be taken into account, the authors recommend a traditional gabled roof. In dry climates, where precipitation is lower than average, they suggest a butterfly roof to increase rainwater collection area. In temperate climates, on the other hand, they recommend a shed roof so that optimal water collection can be achieved and solar panels can be installed.
The structure of the house was made of CLT wood
© Eliza Tomczak, Patrycja Skawicka, Piotr Skorupinski, Marcjanna Wabińska
The young architects chose cross-laminated timber for the structure.
CLT has many advantages, such as aesthetic appearance, durability, easy and fast installation, as well as excellent thermal and acoustic insulation. In addition, to increase the potential for sustainability, the furniture and cladding are made from locally available wood, the authors explain.
self-sufficiency and adequate light
The students also focused on light in their design, recommending that rooms where the influx of daylight contributes to greater comfort should be laid out on the south and west sides, while rooms not requiring much sunlight should be laid out on the north and east sides.
recommended location of rooms in relation to sunlight
© Eliza Tomczak, Patrycja Skawicka, Piotr Skorupinski, Marcjanna Wabińska
Through the use of movable blinds - panels, users can control the access of natural light to the interior of the house. The authors designed a mechanism that can be both automatic (activated by a change in weather conditions) and manual (operating a digital system). At night, the blinds can be completely closed, acting as an additional thermal insulation layer.
Green installations: recuperation, solar roof tiles, water recovery
© Eliza Tomczak, Patrycja Skawicka, Piotr Skorupinski, Marcjanna Wabińska
The architects did not forget about green installations either. The mechanical ventilation with heat recovery used is an energy-efficient solution that works efficiently all year round and removes accumulated carbon dioxide, moist air and pollutants from the rooms. What's more, Modewood is self-sufficient by generating its own power. Building-integrated photovoltaics, such as solar roof tiles, are designed to generate electricity stored in batteries. The modular house provides drinking water, and the water collection system is housed in a tank located under the roof.
Areminder that the student competition HEALTHYHOUSE is underway. We are looking for designs of single-family and multi-family houses that are user- and nature-friendly, functional and created with the residents in mind. Submit your works.
