Additional structures were designed and permitted as part of the 5-acre development; this includes a standalone garage, guest house, and basic site amenities.
Project Mod
Overview
Project MOD is as a self-development project by Andre Architecture, co-developed with the owner of Norwalk Concrete Industries, a well-established precast concrete company. NCI has fabricated rapidly deployable precast concrete shelters for years, but their product was largely limited to utilitarian use. In collaboration with NCI, we designed a new, modular housing type that could be quickly deployed as a more modern and marketable residence comparable to the cost of wood.
Client | Self-development
Site | Joshua Tree, US
Engaged | March 2016 – June 2019
Current Phase | Archived
Type | Research & development, Housing
Role | Co-developer, Designer, Architect
Services | Site Selection, Design, Engineering, Permitting, Financial Pro Forma
Features | 24-part Assembly, Prefabrication
Size | 1000 Square Foot
Cost | $175,000 for Installed Shell, in 2019
The notion of a kit of parts was conceived with interchangeable roof, wall, and floor elements to create a variety of large-span, single-story structures.
A 24-part model, with a 26’ span, was engineered for a desert site in Joshua Tree, California. The project was fully designed, engineered, permitted, and bid by a local fabricator.
The panels are designed to expose the concrete finish inside and out, made possible by using a core-insulated core. This finish has life-cycle cost savings in maintenance and durability, especially for harsh climates.
Years later, this research was applied to a suburban housing scenario. A different, two-story module was developed to fit on the back of a standard tractor trailer; additional offsite and prefinishing work is now possible.
