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Making living affordable by combining digital processes and modular building methods as a way of reducing costs and time and saving resources: An interdisciplinary competition for students that was organized by the research area of Integrated Construction Planning and Industrial Building at TU Wien (Vienna University of Technology) as part of the FFG-supported research project “Wohnen 4.0 – Digitale Plattform für leistbares Wohnen” (Living 4.0 – Digital Platform for Affordable Living) inspired some innovative solutions.

Wohnen 4.0 – Modular building methods for affordable living
The competition brief asked interdisciplinary teams of students of architecture and civil engineering to develop living concepts based on modular building methods. The interpretation of the term “module” was left open to the participants. The competition requirements included the ability to produce off-site and the highest-possible degree of industrial prefabrication. Further criteria were a high-level of utilization of the floor space, flexibility, adaptability, residential quality, overall constructional feasibility, and meeting the requirements of affordable living. 

Digital, modular housing
The objective of the competition is to drive forward the digitalization of design and building processes – in particular, for modular residential buildings. Because the combination of digital processes with modular/kit-based building systems has the potential to not only speed up the production of living space, but also, in particular, minimize both costs and the use of resources.

ATP CEO Christoph M. Achammer, who is heavily involved in the area of modular housing, chaired the jury. Out of the total of nine entries the project “Adele 22” was selected as winner due to its clear concept, coherent, flexible floor plans, and very high residential quality. In addition to this, the jury also praised the well-developed structural solution and the high level of both the prefabrication of the structure and the constructional feasibility.

ATP Vienna is a project partner of the research project and donated the total prize fund of 2,000 euros. The architect Dario Travas, ATP’s Partner in Zagreb and Head of Design in Vienna, handed over the checks to the winners during the award ceremony.