Modular volumetric construction is gaining traction throughout North America. Stacking large manufactured container-like boxes to create buildings is often idealized but remains dichotomic, opposing production and customization. Volumetric modular is controlled by transport criteria and repetition is key to achieve economies of scale. The essence of modular is often related to volumetric but the term refers more correctly to using dimensionally coordinated elements to inform building design – a module can be any standardized element that regulates a project’s dimensions. Modular panelized increases potential for design freedom using prefabricated planar components to shape walls, floors and roofs. Panels can be designed, fabricated and even modularized for a specific design. Stressed skin timber panels have been produced for years and are an easy way to speed up construction as components are assembled in a factory setting while construction proceeds on site.
Design, fabrication and construction flexibility are at the heart of the mnmMOD-insulated panel invented by Tryggvi Thorsteinsson and Erla Dögg Ingjaldsdóttir. Expanded polystyrene foam moulded over and united with a cold-formed steel stud skeletal structure shapes strong, lightweight and high thermal resistant composite wall or roof elements. Panels are defined and dimensioned according to project layouts, fabricated, flatpacked and shipped on site where they’re simply assembled to form the envelope of any low-density structure.
The mnmMOD panels are the central piece of an ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) start-up founded by the same Icelandic designers. MnmMOD panels showcase the platform theory used for years in the automobile industry applied to building construction. The panel is the basic dimensional unit that can be arranged in different shapes and formats to achieve multiple designs and in this case by different companies. Plùs Hùs is the rudimentary microdwelling that uses the panels for walls and roofs anchored to a concrete slab. The unit is little over 300 square feet and can be personalized from a simple shed structure to a functional living space including a small bath and kitchen.
Both modular volumetric and modular panelized systems allow for the overlapping of tasks that makes offsite construction a quicker alternative to the linear process of conventional building. Working with panelized subassemblies leaves more work on the job site than volumetric, but flatpacking panels optimizes transport. Further panels can be packed in sequence to further speed up construction.
mnmMOD composite EPS-steel stud panels
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