but extremely varied and flexible, configurations of domestic space, in order to accommodate different needs in relation to individual taste and different locations.
In particular there are two main issues:
• The search for architectural quality corresponding to the need for customization and modification of the house in time;
• Technological experimentation related to the issue of low energy consumption houses, during the entire cycle spanning from its construction to its eventual dismantling, and the recycling of components and materials.
The research has investigated the expressive possibilities of two prototypes of modular prefabricated houses to be mass produced allowing customization, in terms of the shape and size of the individual parts and the high quality of the design, materials and construction systems employed. All this taking into account the geographical location in terms of energy saving and language choices, based on an underlying conviction: modularity and mass production of the house-asset cannot be neutral with regards to the physical location it will become a part of, reflecting climate and environmental differences and established social and cultural factors. This is why two different locations were hypothesized- in a Northern and in a Southern region of Italy- so that the two prototypes could embody the specific climate conditions and domestic traditions both in the tectonic and morphological structure of the house. Moreover, during the planning stage, collaboration was sought with production companies that provided the necessary information regarding building components, construction details, material performance and costs. In particular, contacts were initiated with Polifar srl of Mogliano Veneto( Treviso) in regards to the application of the construction system for the residential housing“ Idea 108”( DE MARCO- MANDOLESI 2014) and with Rubner Haus AG, Chienes( Bolzano) for the wooden prefabrication system“ Dadomus”( VERGORI- MANDOLESI 2014).
Projects
Regardless of the different spatial concepts, of distribution and formal features, the design of the two prototypes originates from the following common programmatic choices:
• Type and size, enabling variations in interior space and dimensions;
• Long-term flexibility, allowing the recombination and division of dwelling units;
• A system to accommodate small volumetric increases in order to respond to changes in family composition;
• The possibility of accommodating different tastes and lifestyles. In relation to the choice of building systems and of mass production, what we have in both cases are“ hybrid systems”, whose purpose is to obtain versatility of the open system starting from a set of predetermined components( bearing panels, steel skeleton, curtain walls, roofing) similar to“ Lego” parts, to which functional finished and furnished kitchens and bathrooms can be added, which complement the structural dimensions. According to preference, materials and external finishes come in a wide range of solutions. This approach allows very satisfactory levels of customization, in particular in terms of plan distribution, housing dimensions, extension or reduction over time and formal characterization. In both cases the individual building units can be positioned independently or can form aggregations of multiple structures in natural environments or in consolidated urban fabrics, reaching a height of three stores. Light and dry technologies are favored, with on site stages of assembly and considerable savings on building sites and construction time, allowing construction components to be dismantled and reused and the recycling of parts produced with raw materials and manufactured where possible with low pollution impact.
520 ZEMCH 2015 | International Conference | Bari- Lecce, Italy