Modular Apartments

Can you describe your design process for the building?

Like many of our projects, we start from what we know about the program and budget. Modular construction was discussed immediately, as a cost reduction tool, so that parameter fed into the mix early. The plan, section and overall geometry were driven by the constraints of the prefab process, therefore allowing us to realize the full cost saving potential, as well as making a building which expressed its unique construction characteristics.

How does the completed building compare to the project as designed? Were there any dramatic changes between the two and/or lessons learned during construction?

In many ways the completed building is exactly what we designed. The prefab process required a good deal of coordination, making the compressed time schedule on this job very challenging. We learned that while modular construction saves time on the construction end, it requires extensive design coordination and review on the front end, as field modifications are difficult and costly.

How does the building compare to other projects in your office, be it the same or other building types?

Multi-family urban housing is a significant portion of our practice. We seek projects that allow for innovation in environmental performance, program relationships, construction methods and urbanism. Other recent projects include the 100K House, a LEED Platinum 1,000SF infill house prototype being built for $100/SF (built), and the overbuild of an old grain silo with apartments that exploit former storage silos as rainwater cisterns, climbing walls and geo-thermal heat sinks (unbuilt).

How does the building relate to contemporary architectural trends, be it sustainability, technology, etc.?

The project can be filed under “high performance, low-impact, and cost effective”. Many post-recession projects will look to combine these goals. This LEED-rated student apartment building was focused on carefully extracting high value from every move, large or small. The modular construction tactics took an existing technology typically found in single-family home construction and scaled it up. The fiber cement rain-screen façade not only creates a specific architectural image, but adds to the performance of the building and has substantial recycled content. A 15,000SF green roof manages the stringent Philadelphia stormwater regulations, while providing a nice visual oasis in the context of a central city location.

Are there any new/upcoming projects in your office that this building’s design and construction has influenced?

Philadelphia has a challenging construction environment. Construction costs are quite high, while the market is soft. This means buildings are expensive to build and buyers don’t want to pay for them. The prefabricated approach allows a significant portion of the building to be constructed off-site and more inexpensively. We think this method of construction fits well into this local condition and is attracting attention for future projects.

E-Mail Interview conducted by John Hill