 FactoryStructural steel frame in welding jig |
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 Apartment on low-bed truckApartment loaded on low bed trailer for delivery |
 Delivery at site squareRoom module going through narrow service road to craning position |
 Craning basement apartmentCraning of apartments on NW side that went in the basement. The slab for the first level apartments is still being cast in the foreground |
 Craning first level apartmentApartment being positioned on top of basement level apartments in NW corner. The post-tensioned slab above the basement parking is in the foreground. |
 Craning first level apartmentsPositioning first level apartment on NE side on top of the slab above the basement parking |
 Craning upper level apartmentUnit going into NW corner of building |
 Craning upper level apartmentSome of the upper level apartments on the NE side were positioned above the "common areas" of the apartment block that were created by bolting structural posts together on site |
 Craning modular roof sectionsPositioning pre-manufactured roof elements on the NE side of the building that were bolted to structural components already delivered in the apartment module |
 Elevation from NE sideThe entrance to the apartment block including hard and soft landscaping |
 Elevation from NW sideFinal elevation of building on NW side showing the basement level apartments with 3 storeys above them |
 Elevation from SW sideElevation with entrance to parking garage |
 Elevation from SE sideElevation of building showing modular fire escapes and external cladding on the sides of the apartments at the end of the building |
 Interior kitchenInterior of apartment with kitchen cupboards and storage feature wall forming a divide to the living area |
 Interior from living areaInterior of apartment from living area with bed looking towards the bathroom and kitchen areas. The media unit on the storage feature wall and work area with desk and custom sprayed bookshelves (all manufactured by ourselves) is in the foreground |
 Interior from changing roomInterior from changing area with custom Surinno vanity and cupboards in the foreground and desk with custom sprayed bookshelf in the background (all manufactured by ourselves) |
 Interior bathroomBathroom with glass mosaics and porcelain wall tiles. In-house brands were used to maximise value (Twyford wall hung pan, Crystalux frameless glass shower enclosure and Italian Mamoli brassware) |
Studio Vijf, Stellenbosch (2014)
62 stackable structural room modules
Brief
Design, manufacture, fit-out, deliver and stack 62 up-market student apartments. The 4 storey structure must be completed in under 6 months so that the accommodation is available at the start of an academic year for rental and sectional title sale.
Why was modular used?
The build programme could only be accomplished through the use of a structural apartment pod. Any other method that relied on slabs or even a structural steel frame with infill panels would not have enabled the building to be completed in time for the start of the academic year, which would have had a severe impact on the financial viability of the project.
Key features
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62 apartments craned into position in 22 crane days
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apartments were bolted together on site to create the structure
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superior acoustic and fire specification
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exposed structural steel galvanised and sprayed for superior quality
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exterior facade and balconies complete in factory prior to delivery, limiting the need for scaffolding on site
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ground floor apartments included feet for connection to foundations
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third floor apartments included bolting connectors for roof elements
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in-house finishing brands were utilised to extend value in the finishings
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all cupboards, custom sprayed joinery and surinno worktops manufactured by Inside Group
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factory finish included: data and electrical reticulation, plumbing, waterproofing, porcelain tiling, solid timber doors, double glazed PVC balcony doors, bulkheads, shadowlines and custom joinery, wallpapered walls and painted feature walls
Case study
Click here for a more detailed case study on the project.
When should you use modular constuction methods?
How much time can you save by using modular construction?
In the news
Civil Engineering
December 2014
