Rapidly building with lightweight modules and a dry assembled foundation : used in a mock-up for home units made out of reclaimed materials

The current practice of house building is wasteful, not efficient and badly in need of a reset. Society is ready for a change towards eco-homes; yet industry stays traditional. A transition to a durable, industrial and flexible approach is required. To accomplish such, a system is developed combining industrial manufacturing as well as reusing waste materials from demolition. To demonstrate the potential of the building method, a mock-up for a hikers’ cabin is developed by students of Eindhoven University of Technology. The cabin is an accommodation for shortstay holidays, commissioned by SNK (organization of natural campsites). Cabins are constructed by two fully assembled modules with a lightweight structure based on inner doors (reclaimed from demolition), timbered (inside and outside also reclaimed materials from demolition), and with insulation obtained from reclaimed inlay elements of modular ceilings. Also many other materials (such as plumbing, wash-hand basins, toilet bowls, light switches, et cetera) are reclaimed from buildings due for demolition. The result is two fully assembled modules that are extreme lightweight and stable. On site, modules are joined on a foundation which is assembled of dry elements (reclaimed from demolition). All activities on site (making a foundation, placing modules and connecting a cabin to all services) are thus tailored for a one-day-construction.