MHS-Digitalbooklet

8/6/2019 MHS-Digitalbooklet

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Relevant requirements include optimizing resourceconservation, energy ef ciency and health, generallysubsumed under the term sustainability.

This exploration has brought prefabrication to the forefront.Prefabrication refers to dwelling parts and systemsmanufactured in a production facility and transported to thebuilding site for assembly. Inherent in prefabrication aresustainable values derived from use of alternative buildingmaterials, less material waste in the production process,less impact on the building site, improved quality control andhigher production tolerances.

On the experimental edge of architectural design new soft-ware providing computer-generated structural analysispromises to evolve new ways of fabricating buildings, whichin turn will offer innovative options in design, andsubsequenty, a revitalized dialogue between interior andexterior living spaces

There is a demand or dwellings which can adapt to new li estyle

requirements; optimization ohealth, energy e fciency andresource conservation.

Kithaus, Modular Housing Systems


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Modular Housing SystemThe Modular Housing Systemdeveloped by Tim Siahatgar of UniqueStructural Systems, LLC, is a hybridmodular building system offering anarray of bene ts including sustainability.

The MHS is a pre-engineered systemusing a variety of aluminum extrusionsfor post and beam framing, connectedby a patented concealed bolt-and-clamp

component. This is supplemented by abolt-in-place diagonal corner brace formulti-story structures, usually concealedwithin the wall panels. The sheathingsystem uses either structural insulatedpanels (SIPs) or a combination of otherpanel materials which slide into thechannels of the framing members.

The way in which these componentsare integrated provides a synergisticrange of effects. The MHS framing com-ponents have a channeled pro le along

their entire length which allows connec-tion with other frame members at anypoint, offering an virtuallylimitless rectilinearstructural con gura -tions. The channels also readilyaccommodate modular window panelsor composite panel walls and can beframed to accommodate conventional

windows of any shape.

Roo ng, supported by a simple rooftruss and extruded pro le solid webtruss rafters, can be either conventional,

San Diego West eld Mall hospitality of ce, photo by the author

MHS is essentially a

traditional post andbeam system usingsimple rectilinear

space rame geometryand a bolted rather

than nailed method oassembly.


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framing member pro le MHS framing connection

SIPs or metal panel roo ng. The oor -ing uses the same extruded solid webtruss pieces as the joists and canbe used with any conventional ooringmaterial. Additionally, the joists will alsoaccommodate a suspended panelceiling system. Foundation systems canbe conventional curtain or slabfoundations or piling foundations typicalof many post and beam structures.

When Siahatgar rst arrived in the U.S.and saw the wood stud framing systemin use he said to himself, I dont believein it and I dont want to work with it asan architect.

Siahatgar got his Masters degree inarchitectural engineering in 1976.

In 1985 he rst developed the MHSsystem on a small scale for showcaseassembly. Seeing the possibilities itoffered he expanded the design andconverted it into a building system in

framing corner

1988. He completed the IBC and ICCcerti cations for the MHS in 2008. MHS versatility is derived from thepatented quick-connect clampingsystem, which allows assembly of astructure with only an impact wrench. Aconstruction team can be trained inone day and time and materials are notwasted due to errors in the construction

phase. This, along with non-destructivedisassembly again with only a handtool required makes the structurerelocatable in either the samecon guration or in an entirely differentone. An MHS structure can bedisassembled and reassembled asmany as ten times with no damage tothe integrity of the aluminum members.

Siahatgar says, This is a truly modularbuilding system. To me, modular meansusing the same element in differentways. It is a system which offers us

the best of both worlds; the exibility,simplicity and strength of traditional postand beam structures with the laborsavings and ef cient economics ofindustrial production. It is the closest wehave so far come to the ideal of a plug-in architecture.

The system further facilitatesmodularity with a simple selection of

components that supports thestructures frame while also affordingaccess to the connections. An entirestructure can be framed by employingonly seven components. In addition,any existing materials, nishing orconnections can be applied to thesystem.

There are other advantages achievedby this system; it offers all the bene tsof SIP construction while eliminatingthe main weakness the connection ofthe SIPs because the SIP is always


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housed within the framing memberschannels. The system also distributesthe panel shear strength across theentire aluminum frame. Further,because the frame corner membersare always open, utilities can be routed

within them. Each dimension createdproduces a space frame that allows usealong the entire surface area, along theframing members and within the ceiling,producing a complete envelope.

This enables use of the entire spacewithin the frame. Dead space, a wastedresource resulting from conventionalconstruction, is no longer an issue.The MHS structure functions moreef ciently because it offers more

exploitable space. Siahhatgar says, The modularcomponents were designed anddeveloped to solve construction

obstacles with the intent of exploitingthe full potential of a buildingcon guration. As a result, almost anysite-speci c or chosen application canbe designed to match the aluminumframe interface. MHS construction

options can be combined with anymaterial and installation techniqueused under previous technologies. Forinstance, wood framing can be usedwithin the structure for internal space


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division. Characteristically the MHSincludes rather than excludes solutionsto become highly adaptable.

MHS is essentially a traditional post andbeam system using simple rectilinearspace frame geometry and a boltedrather than nailed method of assembly.It overcomes the limitations of usinglarge, heavy, specially-crafted lumber

the limitations which compelled theinvention of stud framing through theuse of a light weight, low cost recyclablematerial (aluminum) and precision-engineered, mass-produced modularcomponents.

The MHS prefabrication system andaluminum construction in generalguarantee important energy ef ciencies.The rst group of bene ts concerns theweight of the aluminum building system:MHS aluminum framing weight is 1/12that of steel framing and 1/24 ofconcrete building. This eliminates theneed for heavy equipment at the site,since one worker can carry a 12-footMHS framing member. Compare thiswith placement of one steel I-beam atthe job site. The weight of concrete

used in an MHS foundation is almostone half that required for a steel orconcrete structure.

Less weight during transport of buildingcomponents means less use of energyand lower shipping costs. Flat packshipping of the components provides

substantially greater ef ciency thantransport of modular boxes; it is easier,faster, more exible and less expensivewhile storage is easier and lessexpensive as well.

Kithaus of ce/studio, Modular Housing System

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MHS-Digitalbooklet