A Portable/Collapsible/ Extendable/Environmentally-adaptable Live-in Module
The concept : Temp sustainable dwelling in micro-space conditions
We progressively adopt a more and more nomadic attitude vis-à-vis the
way we live. Whether we are forced to perform different activities at one-single
space, such as eating and sleeping at the work place, or living and working
at home, space is bound to become more flexible and adaptable to different
uses. Beyond physicality, Internet connectivity allow us to virtually tap
into the rest of the world, bringing jungle to the city, nature to urban.
The western idea of family is changing, being replaced more and more by individual-based
or couple-based entities, with a high degree of instability and temporality.
Cost of living and home-purchasing ability has greatly decreased, reaching
limits of impossible affordability. At the same time, quick access to information
through the media brings us cruel realities in full-view, such as environmental
and meteorological disasters - most due to global warming and climatic changes
- plus others tragedies due to inhuman atrocity. It is for these reasons that
we must improve and drastically change our impact to the environment and look
for alternatives ways to inhabit spaces in a rather temporary and sustainable
manner.
Following this, the idea is to create a minimal live-in box, all easy to transport
and to be installed in place on a simple set-up procedure performed by a min.
of 4 people. It gravitates around the idea of space conceived in a collapsible
and foldable manner, where basic equipment is arranged puzzle-like as part
of a basic piece, and where all fits into a folded module, which we have called
PanelONG. When PanelONG is fully open, it unfolds into 3 main pieces composing
5 different spaces and emulating the idea of ‘home’ down to a
micro-dwelling, all containing an entry hall, a dining and/or working area,
a sleeping room, a kitchen and a toilet.
The collapsible/extendable module PanelONG is thought to be a piece of compact and portable sustainable-conscious Architecture, able to be placed in any environment in a harmonious and non-intrusive manner, while offering an interesting and pleasant aesthetic outlook for a very practical use. It will be sustainable energetically through thin film photovoltaics attached to the exterior honeycomb panels.
The PanelONG Module: Basic components and materials
The
collapsible module PanelONG is made by a one-piece unit 2.30 m x 2.90 m (2.55
m. in thickness), fabricated of composite Honeycomb Panels weather-treated
for exterior and insulated for interior use. Once the unit has been extended
to a full-length (up to 6 m. long), and once it is fully unfolded, it conforms
an indoor space of approximately 15,3 square m. in usable area.
The collapsible module PanelONG is weight less than half a ton. (500 Kg) and
easily fits into a Standard Shipping Container (not one but up to two of them)
PanelONG is a live-in module where differentiated indoor spaces are also disposed
and separated by composite Honeycomb Panel partitions. All built-in appliances,
including kitchen and furniture, as well as washbasin and toilet, are made
of reinforced Fibreglass.
Opening
the PanelONG Unit will equal to opening a Live-in Box, containing all basic
furniture and equipment built-in inside it. However it still cherishes the
idea of home by having two panels with openings to the outside - doubling
as windows - while one of the exterior panels doubles as an entrance door.
