The denser the site, the more complex the impact of the build....Sustainability Consultants: Jenny Manrique - Jorge Martinez Collaborators: Breana Bunce - Claire Nguyen Building affordable

The denser the site, the more complex the impact of the build.Systems make the complex empowering.

Architectural design & systems thinking.

If the future is dense, and design is costly, how might Melbourne make well designed communities

more accessible? How might we ensure that quality of life increases for our residents? Can we reduce

the fragmentation of our communities, building spaces that drive resilience rather than isolation?

As urban space becomes more dense, how might we best embrace a zero-carbon future? Good design

will meet the challenges of densification, great design will do so in a way that is accessible to the broad

community.

We have yet to find a robust, systems-thinking approach to address the multidimensional nature of

urbanisation and sustainability. The complexity of decision making in this evolving context is best met

by systems that are highly adaptable. We need a nimble, repeatable design system that deeply adapts to

local place. Our design is based on adaptive systems-thinking. Our cubed modules organise an atomic

structure, forming a system that adapts to reflect the unique parameters of place embedded in the

build site. This is supported by an internal and compositional logic that scales from site amalgamations

to larger scale urban plans. Most importantly, the larger the scale of the development, the greener and

denser are the outputs of this design system.

Through this systems-thinking approach, we have found ways to reduce the resource cost (time,

materials, environmental footprint) of delivering good design to the end user (the occupant) and of

incorporating stakeholders needs in a way that, rather than compromising it, propels and emboldens

good design.

Atom Module Cluster Site Amalgamation

4,500 4,500

Urban Ensemble

The verdant streetscape.

Site PlanSTREET

GSPublisherVersion 0.74.96.67

S T R E E T

OPENSPACE

OPENSPACE

OPENSPACE

OPENSPACE

OPENSPACE

OPENSPACE

Atoms organise functions on site. They can be rooms, landscape elements, or services.

The smallest modular element of our system is called an atom. Our atoms are 4500mm x 4500mm x

3000mm cubes.

Atoms are connected to create larger cubed ‘molecules’ — or modules for those with a more pragmatic

bent. Modules are made of atoms forming a 9000mm sided cubed. As a standalone unit, the cubed

module is directionless and placeless. Meaning is created when they are stacked above or below each

other, rotated 360º or flipped in a mirror version of themselves.

Voids of atoms transmute themselves into gardens, private open spaces or double-height living

rooms. The module seamlessly adapts to a single bedroom home just as well as a five-bedroom home.

Furthermore, it places nimbly to capture ideal orientation, cross-ventilation, and views on the site.

The perimeter of the cubed module is composed of beams and columns to maximise the interior space

and create inter-module connections through perforating both facades and roofs. The system also

enables the possibility of load-bearing walls around the façade, in the absence of such intermodule

links.

Atoms generate multiple outside/inside configurations, providing the ability to scale and adapt. This

enables the presence of voids, both vertically and horizontally.

Atom x 2 Studio

Atom x 3 One Bedder

Module

Atom x 4 Two Bedder

Atom x 6 Two Bedder

Atom x 7 Three Bedder

Atom x 8 Four Bedder

Atom x 5 Two Bedder(Horizontal)

Adaptability.

4,500 4,500

Atom

A design system fuelled by atomic structures.Atoms build & scale as fully interopable components.

54

3

Element

Start with the size of a constructionelement e.g. facade panel, window,

beam, column.

360°

Atom

Multiply these to createa replicable room size.

Module

Rotate and arrange these rooms (atoms)to favour solar access, prevailing winds,

views and privacy.

Character Cluster

Displace these modules to allow sunand wind into each dwelling.

Urban Ensemble

Arrange character clusters to provide a diversity of green spaces, benefitting both the residents

and the microclimate.

1 2

The Atomic Method.

Atom

4,500 4,500

Kitchen /dining

LivingCore Bedroom Balcony Bathroom /laundry

Void

Entrance views.

Modules (four atoms) are displaced in response to unique site conditions.

Vertical displacement of modules frees open space on the ground floor and generates lofty interior

spaces while horizontal displacement maximises northern light, cross ventilation and views on the site.

This architectural strategy of displaced modules allows the design to respond to the environmental,

programmatic and demographic conditions that are unique to each site.

Character clusters (grouped modules) create diverse spatial experiences.

Character clusters allow modules to interact in way that create site-specific meaning and utility.

Character clusters come in different sorts of arrangements, providing different scales, uses and spatial

experiences to both dwellers and neighbours of the community. Our atomic structure and strategy of

displace form allows for interconnected permeable green spaces, wide corridors and covered/open

collective spaces at all levels.

Torsion loads in the modules are minimised through the symmetrical design, enabling the building to

be constructed in a broad range of different materials and construction processes as suited to the

site and locally available materials. Clusters can therefore leverage the combination of site-specific

materials and ensemble compositions to deliver a design system that tangibly creates a sense of place

and community within the specific urban context.

A design system that adapts to place.Cubed modules are directionless and can be mirrored, rotated and stacked.

1. Required density. 2. Module-length displacement to front and rear setbacks for amenity.

3. Half-module-length displacement to side setbacks for amenity.

4. Displacements result in solar access, ventilation and privacy.

A lush communal open space.

Housing that is liveable and a good neighbour.We’re better together.

Family-friendly apartments with good outlook & light. Great amenity for neighbours, streets, and the surrounding public realm.

N

solar

intermittentgreening

prev

ailin

gw

inds

garden

views

throug

h-site perm

eability

All elements in the design are considered atomically, including landscape.

Landscape PlanBalconies

Site Strategies

900900600 600

600900

4,500

4,50

0

300 x 300 Grid

Privacy Pods

Deep plantersstrategicallyplaced to

protect privacy

900900 900900

300

Veggie Pods

Planters encouragingresidents to

grow produce

Edge Pods

Set within the structure

to green thebuilding facade

Grass Pods

Set within thestructure to

provide lawns

Deck

Raised deckon pedestals

Longitudinal section. Street view.

Ground Floor1:200

First Floor1:200

Second Floor1:200

0 10 20 30m

At-Grade Longitudinal Section

At-Grade Cross Section

Basement Longitudinal Section

Basement Cross Section

Design Team: Felipe Ayala - Viviana Garcia - Sebastian Quinones - Jhonathan Murillo - Alex SarmientoSustainability Consultants: Jenny Manrique - Jorge MartinezCollaborators: Breana Bunce - Claire Nguyen

Building affordable and resilient communities.Enduring, sustainable, repeatable.

A flexible construction system plays a role in tenure diversification and greater housing affordability.

Traditional Concrete Structure & Brick Veneer Walls

Wall:

13mm gypsum board92mm steel framing with insulationVapour control layer50mm cavityStainless steel brick tiles110mm facing brick

Floor:

10mm finish laminated flooring25mm screed20mm reinforced concrete slab50mm sound insulation13mm gypsum board

1. Plastered concrete beam2. Powdercoated aluminium louvres3. Flat steel bar balustrade structure4. Prefabricated concrete planter5. Wood decking over adjustable pedestals & waterproofing membrane6. Aluminium double glazing assembly7. Plywood soffit lining8. Galvanised mild steel sill with flashing trims9. Reinforced concrete on ground

14

3

3

6

7

DETAIL B:ENGINEER TIMBER STRUCTURE + TIMBERFRAMED WALLS (PREFAB READY)VERTICAL SECTIONSCALE 1:20

1- METAL CAPPING OVER TIMBER WEDGE

2- TIMBER FRAME TO FORM PAPAPET

4- COLORBOND ROOFING OVER WPM &THERMAL INSULATION FORMING SLOPE

2

3- GLULAM BEAM

5- ALUMINIUM DOUBLE GLAZING ASSEMBLY6- SOLAR CONTROL SLIDING LOUVRES

WALL:

13MM GYPSUM BOARDVAPOR CONTROL LAYER25MM METAL TOP HATS TO ALIGN WITHCOLUMN BEYOND, SERVICES VOID20MM EPS THERMAL BREAK50MM KINGSPAN KOOLTHERM INSULATION70MM TIMBER FRAMING18MM ORIENTED STRAND BOARD35MM TIMBER BATTENSBREATHABLE MEMBRANE25MM HORIZONTAL TIMBER BATTENS15MM TIMBER CLADDING

7- REINF0RCED CONCRETE ON GROUND

10MM FINISH LAMINATED FLOORING25MM SCREED90MM CLT SLAB200MM LVL RIB SLAB OR RECIPROCALTIMBER FRAME50MM SOUND INSULATION13MM GYPSUM BOARD

14

3

6

8

DETAIL C:STEEL STRUCTURE + STEELFRAMED WALLS (PREFAB READY)VERTICAL SECTIONSCALE 1:20


2- STEEL STUD FRAME TO FORM PAPAPET


2

3- STEEL BEAM

5- ALUMINIUM DOUBLE GLAZING ASSEMBLY6- PLYWOOD SOFFIT LINING

WALL:

13MM GYPSUM BOARD50MM STEEL STUD FRAME TO FIXINTERNAL LININGSERVICES VOIDVAPOR CONTROL LAYER92MM STEEL FRAMING WITHINSULATION18MM ORIENTED STRAND BOARD25MM HORIZONTAL TIMBERBATTENSCORRUGATED STEEL CLADDING

7- GALVANIZED MILD STEEL SILL WITHFLASHING TRIMS

FLOOR:

10MM FINISH LAMINATED FLOORING25MM SCREED20MM REINFORCED CONCRETE SLAB50MM SOUND INSULATION13MM GYPSUM BOARD

5

7


3

3

1

3

6

9

DETAIL A:TRADITIONAL CONCRETE STRUCTURE +BRICK VENNER WALLSVERTICAL SECTIONSCALE 1:20

1- PLASTERED CONCRETE BEAM

3- FLAT STEEL BAR BALUSTRADE STRUCTURE

5- WOOD DECKING OVER ADJUSTABLEPEDESTALS & WATERPROOFING MEMBRANE

4- PREFABRICATED CONCRETE PLANTER

6- ALUMINIUM DOUBLE GLAZING ASSEMBLY

7- PLYWOOD SOFFIT LINING

WALL:

13MM GYPSUM BOARD92MM STEEL FRAMING WITHINSULATIONVAPOR CONTROL LAYER50MM CAVITYSTAINLESS STEEL BRICK TILES110MM FACING BRICK


FLOOR:


5 Level 2

Level 1

Ground

8


4

2- POWDERCOATED ALUMINIUM LOUVRES

2

Level 2

Level 1

Ground

Level 2

Level 1

Ground

Steel Structure & Steel-Framed Walls (Prefab Ready)

Wall:

13mm gypsum board50mm steel stud frame to fix internal liningServices voidVapour control layer92mm steel framing with insulation18mm Oriented Strand Board25mm horizontal timber battensCorrugated steel cladding

Floor:

10mm finish laminated flooring25mm screed20mm reinforced concrete slab50mm sound insulation13mm gypsum board

1. Metal capping over timber wedge2. Steel stud frame to form parapet3. Steel beam4. Colorbond roofing over WPM & thermal insulation forming slope5. Aluminium double glazing assembly6. Plywood soffit lining7. Galvanised mild steel sill with flashing trims8. Reinforced concrete on ground

Engineered Timber Structure & Timber-Framed Walls (Prefab Ready)

Wall:

13mm gypsum boardVapour control layer25mm metal top hats to align with column beyond, services void20mm EPS thermal break50mm Kingspan Kooltherm insulation70mm timber framing18mm Oriented Strand Board35mm timber battensBreathable membrane25mm horizontal timber battens15mm timber cladding

Floor:

10mm finish laminated flooring25mm screed90mm CLT slab200mm LVL rib slab or reciprocalTimber frame50mm sound insulation13mm gypsum board

1. Metal capping over timber wedge2. Timber frame to form parapet3. Glulam beam4. Colorbond roofing over WPM & thermal insulation forming slope5. Aluminium double glazing assembly6. Solar control sliding louvres7. Reinforced concrete on ground

14

3

3

6

7





2

3- GLULAM BEAM


WALL:




14

3

6

8





2

3- STEEL BEAM


WALL:



FLOOR:


5

7


3

3

1

3

6

9








WALL:



FLOOR:


5 Level 2

Level 1

Ground

8


4


2

Level 2

Level 1

Ground

Level 2

Level 1

Ground

14

3

3

6

7





2

3- GLULAM BEAM


WALL:




14

3

6

8





2

3- STEEL BEAM


WALL:



FLOOR:


5

7


3

3

1

3

6

9








WALL:



FLOOR:


5 Level 2

Level 1

Ground

8


4


2

Level 2

Level 1

Ground

Level 2

Level 1

Ground

Adaptable spaces for the community.

0 10 20m

0 1 2m

Documents

The denser the site, the more complex the impact of the build....Sustainability Consultants: Jenny Manrique - Jorge Martinez Collaborators: Breana Bunce - Claire Nguyen Building affordable