Particular prefabricated modular construction methodology 1º

For some time we have been thinking about the concepts presented in the title of this article, with the intention of combining through them a constructive method that is capable of bringing together two concepts that in construction are usually considered opposite: “accessibility” and “quality. ”. This with the intention of contributing, from the trade, to solve in the best possible way the requirements of the projects that are needed in the different scales of living.

When we talk about generating “accessible and quality” solutions, we mean thinking and constructing buildings that are capable of achieving a competitive value in the market, always keeping the focus on developing a unique and original architecture for each project. It is about generating architectural-constructive solutions for the requirements of living, from the particularity of each case.

 

The particular from architecture

The word “particularity”, from the architecture, refers to the unique (the peculiar), and what leads us to consider this concept from the beginning of a project, is to develop solutions tailored to each case, considering the multiple dimensions that configure its identity, such as: location, sunlight, climate, remoteness, landscape, neighborhood, connectivity, heights, specific needs of each client, etc.

 

The particle as a constructive element

From construction, and specifically from this constructive methodology, the particular refers to the concept of “particle”, understood as an irreducible constructive element within the universe of elements that make up a structure. The particle then becomes “the minimum”, and the combination of one particle with another is what makes up the total of the work.

We are talking about the concept of “discrete unit”, addressed by Fabio Cruz in his work “formal construction”, and our intention is to take this concept to its maximum expression, as we embark on the task of conceiving a constructive methodology where the structural elements to be used They are not hidden or made up by the finishes, but rather, where the meeting of one particle with another, configures a finished constructive language, where the structural elements are shown so that the inhabitant can realize the way in which the structure it inhabits is working. 

For the avoidance of doubt, we could say that this constructive methodology consists of arranging the structural elements in such a way that the dialogue between one and the other yields a visible constructive value in the entire project, the use of this methodology translates into constructions always originated from the development of an architectural project with identity, so that the “modular” does not fall into a solution of “habitable typology”, but rather in a constructive methodology available to architecture.

 

 Constructive methodology

For this publication we decided to use the word methodology (and not system), since its meaning is closer, etymologically speaking, to a way of understanding and approaching construction, unlike a construction system, which is traditionally understood as technique that is used with different materials, measured and tested, that is chosen to build a project. 

The construction system has a specific way of combining certain materials, for example: reinforced concrete system, confined masonry system, metal-con structure system, wooden partition-based system, etc. Any of these construction systems appears as a possibility when building a project, as a post-design decision.

On the other hand, the word methodology does not refer to any particular system, but rather to a way of building, what form ?: one where the use of the elements, and where the interaction between them, generates a constructive and formal language that defines the development of the project from the beginning.

A constructive methodology keeps us open to the possibility of rethinking the construction and using different materials, its focus is on a way of proceeding, rather than a definitive solution, this translates into buildings always built from the development of an architectural project with identity.

The word methodology establishes a principle of openness to the needs and possibilities of each project that is developed. Instead of marrying into a system and implementing it at any cost in this or that place, an efficient construction methodology is capable of considering the value that exists in the particularity of each case.

 

Economy and sustainability

The benefit of considering the particularity of each project

ect from the availability of materials in a certain geographical area, this is undoubtedly a fundamental factor to consider when facing the choice of it or the construction systems to use. For example: if a certain project is going to be built in the south of Chile, it is expensive and not very ecological to think of a structure made up mainly of metal elements, considering that that geographical area has a large supply of wood. This “look” translates directly into an ecological awareness regarding the materials to be used, understanding that using materials that require greater transfer also means a greater carbon footprint.

However, this first and obvious way of maintaining a spirit of economy in the construction of a project is not by itself the best solution in all cases, nor the only one. It may happen that the incorporation of a certain constructive element, although its use entails a greater carbon footprint than other materials, implies considerable savings compared to the use of other materials, or energy savings since it manages to incorporate a passive air conditioning dimension, or long-term savings as it requires less maintenance, etc.

The main reason why an efficient, economic and ecological construction methodology can be developed, is thanks to a rigorous care of the materials, which ranges from maintaining a low waste of materials, to the definition of how to plan and execute the or construction systems to use. It is in the latter where the most considerable energy savings can be programmed in the execution of a project, and it is the area of ​​action for this methodology that we have been talking about.

 

Particular prefabricated modular construction

The methodology we propose consists of the use of prefabricated construction systems, that is, the systematic, planned and serial production of the construction elements to be used in the construction of a project. This way of proceeding surpasses traditional construction systems since what it seeks is that the result does not depend on the expertise of the person in charge of building it, but on the efficiency of the lines of work incorporated in a construction workshop, it is about looking the government over the construction systems through matrices and work tables that ensure the correct and standardized construction of the different elements. This translates into absolute control over the materials and the quality of the elements, and in an optimization of working times. The fact that it is built through standardized construction elements (wall panel, column, beam, etc.), under a design proposal (technology development in the joints of the different construction elements), allows us to anticipate the execution of the construction itself, achieving better planning and coordination of the items, even allows to have a stock of construction elements ready to be used in any project.

the development of the technology of the joints of which we speak, is what ultimately translates into an efficient constructive language, and sincere, in the sense that it makes transparent the way in which its different components work.

With the aforementioned we want to present you the concepts, foundations and ideas behind the development of our constructive methodology, in future articles we will show you the formal solutions that we have arrived at and with which we are currently working.