michael jantzen's prefabricated modular housing system

michael jantzen’s prefabricated modular housing system
all images courtesy of michael jantzen

exploring the potential of readily available agricultural building components, american architect michael jantzen, has developed a conceptual design for sustainable, prefabricated housing. the project examines the potential use of commercially available steel incorporated into a modular design. the low cost building system is constructed of steel arches and straight panels made from thin recyclable sheets, which can easily be bolted together. the eco-friendly construction uses very little material to form a strong envelope – that can be taken apart and easily re-assembled. the buildings offer a high degree of flexibility in the way that they can be clustered together, therefore able to accommodate different needs. simply by adding or subtracting modules or arches the shape of the entire structure can be altered.

aerial view of the modular housing system constructed from recyclable steel sheets

the sustainable, low cost housing system can be insulated in a variety of different ways – erected inside of the structure’s outer shell is a skin of light gauge material with cellulose insulation blown in-between the two layers to whatever thickness is needed. designed to function off the standard utility grid, the building is able to generate its own electricity with photovoltaic cells and a small vertical axis wind turbine. incorporated renewable energy systems allow for the units to be passively solar heated and cooled, with rainwater collected from the roof arches.  further energy efficient designs such as solar and wind powered hydrogen manufacturing can also be employed. the re-use of already manufactured materials offers a recycled alternative to the growing need of low cost housing.

a conceptual design for sustainable, prefabricated housing

constructed of steel arches and straight panels the structures offer a low cost solution to housing

the buildings are able to generate their own electricity with photovoltaic cells and a small vertical axis wind turbine

the modular units are designed to function off of the standard utility grid

the modular buildings offer a high degree of flexibility in the way that they can be clustered together

simply by adding or subtracting modules or arches the shape of the entire structure can be altered

the housing system is flexible and able to accommodate different needs

view showing the exterior form

detail of the building’s arched structure

interior

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.