Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) form an integral part of modern modular homes. It's a system used in moving air between outdoor and indoor areas. The primary purpose of an HVAC system is to maintain desired temperatures in a room. For instance, you can adjust it to warm your house in the winter and cool it in the summer.
After purchasing the HVAC system, you need to install it professionally. You can do the work by yourself. However, you can reap more benefits by hiring a service provider. Doing so will also give you more time to focus on other important matters.
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How To Make Your Air Conditioning System More Reliable
In most prefab and modular homes, the air conditioning system makes a significant contribution to your monthly utility bill, especially during the summer season. Many homeowners have a common question about making their conditioning system more reliable and efficient.
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High Horse Ranch Prefab Modular House, California
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| The living-dining-kitchen space and attached patio are the social center of the project and overlook the expansive southern view. |
| Construction |
| About KieranTimberlake |
| About Moderna Homes |
| About Bent Level Construction |
Project: High Horse Ranch
Architect: KieranTimberlake
Main house area: 2,580 square feet
Two guest cabins area: 290 square feet
Year: 2016
Builder / General Contractor: Buckeye Construction, Moderna Homes
Location: Willits, California
Structural Engineer: CVM
Civil Engineer: Adobe Associates
Lighting Design: Sean O'Connor Lighting
MEP Engineering: Engineering 350
Awards
AIA California Council Merit Award
AIA Pennsylvania Honor Award
AIA Philadelphia Merit Award
Description by architects
How can we orchestrate an intimate experience of nature while treading lightly on wild terrain?
Accessible only by winding gravel roads, the site for High Horse Ranch in California's Mendocino County is full of steep slopes and open meadows. The owners were struck by the dramatic experience of approach and arrival, where the edge of a cliff falls away and reveals a panoramic view of the forested valley below. Accordingly, the design was driven by their early vision of the guest experience: a long, climbing drive; a short, shaded walk to a sheltered welcoming area; and then, upon entering the house and rounding a corner, taking in the view.
The design evolved from a concept of how guests would approach the site and experience nature first hand. The site features steep slopes and vegetated areas of open meadow, manzanita thickets, and forests of oak, Douglas fir, and madrone.
A main house overlooks the valley and two guest cabins are carefully perched on natural, undisturbed clearings in the woods. The two cabins are satellites tethered to the main house's center of gravity, sharing its material palette of reclaimed wood, cor-ten steel, and floor-to-ceiling glass. The cabins depend on the main house as a meal-time and social gathering place, but each offers guests unique vantage points and the privacy of a standalone bathroom, desk, covered porch, and fire pit.
The main house is organized around a central living-dining-kitchen pavilion used for socializing and a more private bedroom-study pavilion. These spaces are designed to keep residents immersed in nature, with rooms defined by natural clearings and trees instead of walls and windows.
Intrigued by the precision and innovative design of Loblolly House, the owners favored building techniques that would touch the site lightly and reduce construction waste. As a result, the design uses off-site modular construction throughout with varying degrees of fit-out. The main house is comprised of two primary and 11 secondary modules, while the guest cabins are made from single, mostly-completed modules craned into place and set onto concrete piers. The factory-built modules were carefully transported up winding roads and set in place without harming a single tree.
4 Benefits of Automating Property Management
The automation of processes seems to be quite the norm across varied industries nowadays, the real estate sector included. For owners of real estate properties, making use of property management software offers a promising advantage. Whether what you have is a commercial or residential property, the advantages are similar, nonetheless.
Small Lightweight Aluminum Modular Prefab House / Mountain Shelter
| Schemes/Drawings/Floor plans |
| About Lusio Architects |
| About Vitosha Nature Park |
Design: Lusio Architects
Area: 13,8 m2
Year: 2017
Location: Vitosha Nature Park, Bulgaria
Mountain shelters serve as protection for climbers during severe weather conditions. However, a Bulgarian project team found that many shelters were destroyed, putting climbers at risk. As a winning proposal in the "Architecture of 2050" competition, this innovative small lightweight aluminum modular prefab house addresses this critical problem through a combination of sustainability, materiality and technology.
"If the shelter is to withstand the weather, it must protect itself first."
Designed by Lusio Architects, this small lightweight aluminum modular prefab house consists of four separate aluminum modules. The modules can be delivered by helicopter and then assembled on site. When set up, the shelter appears "hidden" on the mountainside to "not attract unwanted visitors". In case of bad weather, the shelter becomes a beacon, "with lights and sound that make it extremely easy to find, even in the thickest fog."
There are several elements integrated into the small lightweight aluminum house to assist in the safety and rescue of climbers. A direct video connection to the mountain rescue team is automatically activated when someone enters the shelter, and a floor heating system is powered by the solar and wind energy captured and stored by this small modular house. A system of hammocks is also included on the walls of the shelter to provide multiple resting spaces while saving space.
Based on weather conditions, the lightweight prefab aluminum house changes modes to ensure the safety of the people inside. The modes include "FIND ME Mode", "RESCUE ME Mode" and in periods of better weather, "RELAX Mode".
Description by architects
Three factors from the deep-dive research formed the shelter’s design:
it has to be smart and hidden when not needed, as many of the shelters in Bulgaria are destroyed by vandalism
it has to shelter people in extreme weather conditions as temperatures in Vitosha can drop up to 20 degrees in one hour, which makes the mountain dangerous and often times underestimated
situated in Vitosha National Park, it has to be light and sustainable, with a minimal footprint
Design solutions
The modular lightweight aluminum house has to be smart in order to protect the mountaineers, but also itself from unwanted visitors.
Via aluminum coating it reflects its ambiance and remains hidden in good weather. In case of bad weather conditions, the shelter transforms into a beacon, with lights and sound that make it extremely easy to find even in the thickest of fogs. In this mode of operation, a person walking inside would automatically activate the floor heating and video connection with the mountain rescue service. The low-positioned windows would invite him to sit on the warm floor and in case that the group is large, there are integrated hammocks into the walls which are easily pulled out. Also, water and shoe-drying containers are placed at the entrance.
The lightweight aluminum modular house is sustainable and produces energy through solar panels and a wind turbine and stores it into a high-capacity battery; its use is prioritised only for emergency cases and critical life support. Sensors for weather conditions and occupancy govern the shelter’s different modes. If threatening human behaviour is detected, a signal is immediately sent to the local mountain service and a video connection is established.
Its body is extremely lightweight and is inspired by the aeroplane industry. In order to have a minimal footprint, its modules can be transported via helicopter and assembled on-site.
2500 ft² Prefab Modular House, Mexico
| Drawings/Floor plans/Sections |
| About VTALLER |
| About Tropico de Arquitectura |
Architects: VTALLER, Tropico de Arquitectura, TALLER DOS
Construction: TALLER DOS
Year: 2015
Location: Zapopan, Mexico
Representation: SEE 3D
Area: 230 m² (2500 ft²)
The proposal of the 2500 ft² prefab modular house arises from the search for a theme of using the interior space and the optimization of the use of materials to find a practical and efficient decision for construction and living space design. The client is an architect and builder, focused on the economic factor, fast construction process and maintaining a contemporary and elegant design.
The prefab modular house responds to a modular structural solution, leaving the apparent materials to act on their own. Steel as a structural element makes it possible to create openings that can be resolved with light walls and wooden panels, which are integrated between them to create the building's personality.
The space is open with the solution of offering sufficient natural light and cross ventilation on its two facades, the project is solved with a patio that generates activity on the ground floor, and acts as the heart of the prefab modular house. A double height ceiling generates breadth and connection from the entrance and there is a terrace that connects the interior with the exterior through a pergola.
The façade is resolved with a shutter that has the right angle so that the eastern sun does not enter directly into the interior, but as a soft and indirect light, creating an intimate and private atmosphere in the main room. In the wooden front there are modular doors that act as blinds for the same treatment of views, sun protection and privacy.
The prefab modular house achieves a formal abstraction by searching for the shape by itself, so that the decisions made are specific and functional, resulting in an order of natural elegance.
Modular Residential Tower, India
Residents can choose modules to attach to their apartments in modular residential tower, India
| Schemes |
| About Pooja Crafted Homes |
Design: Penda Architects
Construction: Pooja Crafted Homes
Design: Team Chris Precht, Dayong Sun, Xue Bai, He Quan, Pengchong Li, Frank Li, Snow Sun
Area: 36,000 m²
Project year: 2015
The penda office released images of its first project in India. Based on a modular building system, Pooja Crafted Homes will allow residents of Vijayawada to organize their own apartments by choosing the modules from a catalog that will then be attached to the modular building's structure.
"In a time of mass production and a certain conformity in the construction industry, we try to use modern construction techniques to rescue a level of individuality for the residents of a tower. A type of individuality that you would have when building your own home," commented penda architects.
The tower, which is scheduled for construction in 2016, will be divided into eight distinct elements: structure, walls, facade, ceiling, floor, infrastructure, balconies and vegetation. As well as a modular shelving system, the modular tower's structural grid and infrastructure will be the only consistent elements in the building. Each unit will be customized by its residents to allow for future modifications.
"The modules differ in that they have different types of flooring, facade elements and internal organization. When choosing these elements, we offer owners a tool to become the designers of their own apartments", added the architects.
The different facades and open corridors of the building allow a constant air flow between the apartments, ensuring natural ventilation for the residents. A gray water and rainwater systems will be implemented to collect and reuse water for irrigation of vegetation.
Description by Pooja Crafted Homes
For those who dream with a passion for the extraordinary, Tree Storey is the search stopper. This project is an example of sound construction, high amenity value and a quality lifestyle. Spread over 6285 Square yards. The project offers you all the comforts and conveniences of modern urban living infused with nature-made tranquility.
Key Attributes
- 95 Residential Apartments
- Variable Unit Sizes of 2100 – 2650 Square Feet to meet every lifestyle requirement
- Gated Community with perimeter Solar fencing, regulated ingress and egress
- Larger Club House with plethora of features like Swimming Pool, party areas, Gym, Games Room etc.
2 Bedrooms Modular Prefab SIP Panels House
| Drawings |
| About abarca + palma |
Project: Modular House 01
Architects: abarca + palma
Area: 120 m²
Internal area: 77 m²
Bedrooms: 2
Year: 2016
Location: Pupuya, Chile
Photos: Andres Maturana
Manufacturers: Maderas Bucalemu, Sudpanel, Yousef
Construction: Francisco Abarca, Camilo Palma, Sebastián Ochoa
Collaborating Architect: Nicolás Acosta
Land Area: 5800 m²
Built Area: 120m²
Construction Term: 4 months
Value: 20 UF x m²
This 2 bedrooms modular prefab SIP panels house is located in the hills of the "Los Maquicillos" region, between Plaza de Matanzas and Vega de Pupuya. Its implantation on the hill provides a wide view to the sea and a very close view of hills, big trees and the powerful rural landscape of the “La vega de Pupuya” ravine.
The prefab modular house has 77 m² of internal space, which includes two bedrooms, a bathroom and a kitchen integrated into the living and dining room that leads directly to a covered balcony and a corridor that projects over the land on its sloping part. All environments have a view that can cover the entire region of the ravine and the distant sea.
This first Modular House 01 is a part of a system of prefabricated modules and a serial structure and is adaptable to the terrain. The wooden structure is built in situ by joiners before the arrival of the prefabricated panels that are mounted on it.
It is a mixed system, where the carpentry tradition and the industry are directly connected. The structure made of pine wood is composed by the method of pilotis, beam, composite pillar and serial trusses that build a roof that protects the entire modular prefab house. The prefabricated panels are of the SIP type with variable thickness depending on the country's climatic zone.
In climatic terms, the modular prefab house is characterized by a large roof that protects the entire built area with eaves over one meter in length, which ensure protection from rain and sun, giving greater durability to the coverings of the residence and reducing considerably maintenance. The cover is separated from the modules to reduce the incidence of heat on them, in addition to promoting air circulation. Finally, the width of the residence and the sequence of windows allow for cross ventilation in all rooms.
For this 2 bedrooms modular prefab SIP panels house, five modules were used: Double Bedroom Module, Simple Bedroom Module, Bathroom and Kitchen Module, Living Module and Balcony Module, in addition to a corridor across the front of the house.
Skuta Alpine Shelter - Prefab Modular Mountain House
| Drawing |
| Video |
| About OFIS Architects |
Architects: AKT II, Harvard GSD Students, OFIS Architects
Year: 2015
Photographs: Anze Cokl, Andrej Gregoric, Janez Martincic
Location: Zgornje Jezersko, Slovenia
Manufacturers: Guardian Glass, Rieder Group
Structural Engineering: AKT II, London, United Kingdom; Hanif Kara; Edward Wilkes
Structural Engineer Local: Projecta, Milan Sorc
Engineering And Consulting: Freeapproved, Anze Cokl
Realization and Local Coordination: PD Ljubljana Matica, Slovenia; Matevz Jerman; Davor Rozman
Façade: Rieder Smart Elements, Austria; Wolfgang Rieder; Matthias Kleibel
Glass: Guardian, USA; Domen Komac
Bivouac Maintenance Representatives: Matevz Jerman; Davor Rozman
Main Contractor: Permiz d.o.o., Slovenia; Bostjan Perme
Anchoring and Fixing: Hilti, Slovenia
Thermal Installations and Fire Safety: ROCKWOOL stone wool
Construction Team: Alpinist section PD Ljubljana Matica, Visinska dela Orti; Team: Matevz Jerman, Jernej Ortar, Blaz Ortar, Davor Rozman, Natasa Vodopivec, Matevz Kastrin, Boris Mance, Boris Bokavsek, Luka Klemencic, Ziga Asic, Jernej Knop, Anze Klaric, Uros Grilj, Marko Granda, Boštjan Oblak
Helicopter flights: Slovenian Army - Tomaz Perse, Primoz Pintar, Andrej Groselj, Peter Smrkolj; Installation Support: Mountain Rescue Association of Slovenia, GRZS - Brane Zorz, Tadej Mrak, Bojan Goli
Client: PD Ljubljana Matica
The prefab modular mountain house project developed by an architectural design studio at Harvard Graduate School of Design led by Rok Oman and Spela Videcnik of OFIS. In the fall of 2014, studios of thirteen students faced the challenges of designing an innovative, yet practical, prefab house/shelter to meet the extreme needs of the alpine climate. Inspired by Slovenian vernacular architecture with its rich and diverse architectural heritage, students produced twelve proposals that met various terrain conditions, material considerations, and programmatic concerns were produced and cataloged.
The extreme climatic conditions in the mountains introduced a design challenge for architects, engineers and designers.
Within a context of extreme risk to environmental forces, it is important to design buildings that can withstand extreme weather conditions, radical temperature changes and rugged terrain. Responding to environmental conditions is not only a protective measure, but also translates into an issue of immediate safety of life. The harsh conditions of wind, snow, landslides, terrain and climate demand a response of specific architectural forms and conceptual projects.
120 years after the installation of the Aljaz Tower in August 1895 in Triglav, this new prefab modular shelter was inserted under the Skuta mountain in the Kamnik Alps. It replaces the old 50-year-old camp that was previously on site.
The camp is an object that represents a basic human need, a shelter. It is a symbol of refuge. The exterior shape and the choice of materials were made to respond to the extreme conditions of the mountain, and also provide views of the stunning landscape.
Its implantation in the wild requires respect for natural resources and, therefore, it should be implanted in a light and safe way to ensure that the shelter was strongly anchored with minimal impact on the terrain. In addition, the outer layer needed to be made of a highly resistant material, together with fiberglass and concrete elements for the facade, which were able to meet all the requirements of aesthetics, material quality and the challenge of withstanding the harsh conditions.
The interior design imposes modesty, totally subordinated to the function of the shelter providing accommodation for up to eight climbers.
Inspired by traditional alpine architecture by constructive elements, materials, structure and form, the design scheme made by students Frederick Kim, Katie MacDonald and Erin Pellegrino was selected. After the end of the school semester, OFIS architects and AKT ll structural engineers continued to develop and adapt the project for the given terrain, responding to other contributions from climbers, Anze Cokl, Milan Sorc and other engineers and led the project to the throughout the planning phase.
The design consists of three prefab modules, partly to allow transportation and also to divide the space programmatically. The first is dedicated to entry, storage and a small space for food preparation. The second provides space for both to sleep and socialize while the third has a bunk area for sleeping. Windows at both ends offer beautiful panoramic views of the valley and Skuta Mountain.
Due to the nature of the installation process, the prefab mountain house was designed as a series of modules, so that it can be brought in parts to the mountain. The entire prototype was built off-site, in a workshop. The modules were designed as a series of robust frames, which would be structured together on site, providing a manageable installation and a less invasive base. In order to disturb the terrain on the mountain as little as possible, the modules are secured with strategically placed pin connections, which also act as the foundation on the ground. Glass is a triple panel system that has been designed to withstand heavy loads of wind and snow. The camp was set up by Ljubljana Matica under the direction of Matevz Jerman, with transport by helicopter with support from the Slovenian Armed Forces and a Mountain Rescue Service team - Ljubljana Station. The entire transport and installation process was carried out in one day.
Although the scale of the prefab modular mountain house is small, the project required a lot of effort and planning from more than sixty participants who were mostly volunteers and sponsors. Everyone agrees that, despite the small size, the project was no less demanding than any major construction project. However, all the effort and planning for this small-scale project is aimed at maintaining the memory, spirit and culture of the mountains as a special place for Slovenians. The hope is that the modular house will serve as a shelter for all climbers in need, and that through their care and attention to the camp they will continue to use it for many years.
Modular system allows to build houses among trees without cutting them
| Floor plans and drawings |
| About Rebelo de Andrade Architecture & Design |
Location: Vila Pouca de Aguiar, Portugal
Architects: Luís Rebelo de Andrade
Area: 55 m²
Year: 2015
Photographs: Fernando Guerra | FG + SG
Project Team: Luis Rebelo de Andrade, Diogo Aguiar, Raquel Jorge, Pedro Baptista Dias, Madalena Rebelo de Andrade
Structural Design: Modular System
Infrastructure Project: Scarlety Engenharia
Construction: Modular System
Project Coordination: VMPS - Eng. Vasco Portal
Eco Houses are born from a double conceptual root. On the one hand, the profitability of the Parque de Pedras Salgadas as a hotel tourism project, makes the option of rehabilitating the existing hotel or building a new one, becoming a project as slow as it is expensive.
On the other hand, the organic nature of the park ends up suggesting the implementation of these bungalows, of reduced dimensions compared to a conventional hotel and of much easier concealment in the existing grove.
Their main feature is their modularity. This fundamental feature continually transforms the experience of those who inhabit it. Any of the houses - made up of entrance and bathroom + living room + bedroom - allowed for a multitude of very different provisions, which resulted in the possibility of implementing them without having to cut any of the existing trees. Each house, in fact, coexists with a specific set of trees and integrates into this ecosystem without disturbing it. These are houses that, ultimately, want to be confused with trees. They want to be trees.
Although they do not differ from each other - an option due to the need to establish an atmosphere of security for guests - the versatility of the structure allows the relationship between public space and private space to be balanced and justified. The modules and decks are oriented so as not to impair the privacy of their occupants. Covered with slate plates, the feeling is that they are as old and organic as the park itself.
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