Project/Modular Living Environment

From Drexel Smart House

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The Smart House technologies must maintain a certain level of upgradeability, since improvements will constantly be made to designs. Therefore, it is important that nothing is too “hardwired” into the home, and that the spaces under floors and inside walls are reasonably accessible. This project will design a completely modular living environment consisting of a reconfigurable wall system, modular wall panels, a raised and modular floor system, modular power outlets, and more. This complete system will provide for an environment that can be modified in minutes rather than days or hours.

This project was started as part of the class requirements for Special Topics in Smart Design - Fall 2007.

Reconfigurable Wall System

The goal is to create a system of interlocking wall panels that can be moved into multiple configurations allowing for multiple room setups or a completely open floor plan. There are several challenges in this design. The wall panels must be easy to move and lock into place. They must also fit into some sort of grid structure in order to ensure proper placement. Improper placement would result in gaps in the wall. Also, the panels should not appear to be separate pieces but rather one piece of a continuous wall.

Each panel should include all necessary wiring, plumbing, etc. These components should automatically lock in when two panels are fitted together. Each individual panel will also be divided into multiple wall panels.

Modular Wall Panels

The walls (both permanent and reconfigurable) should be be constructed in multiple panels so as to allow for access to wiring, plumbing, etc. and to allow for exchange of the panels with other panels with built-in controls, video screens, etc. This system should be as visually seamless as possible while still allowing for easy access. Also, when replacing the panels with any electronic equipment, it should be easy to make the necessary connections.

Raised & Modular Flooring System

This is an evolution of traditional raised floor systems often seen in office buildings. The biggest problem with traditional systems is that they are not aesthetically acceptable for a residential environment. This problem will be overcome through innovative use of materials, _________.

Additionally, the system will be used for accessing wires and possibly for underfloor ventilation. As the rooms are reconfigured, the floor panels can be changed out to reroute airflow, network ports, power outlets, etc.

Modular Power Outlets

Components

Personnel

Project Leader: Jameson Detweiler
Technical Expertise: Jesse Gallagher
Design Expertise: Alissa Menges

Presentations & Documents

References

External Links

Raised Floor on Wikipedia

Previous Work

Residential Open Building by Stephen H. Kendall and Jonathan Teicher (electronic book available on Drexel's network)
Concept Home Principles - Flexible Floor Plans‎ - study conducted by Path Concept Home on flexible floor plans in the residential environment

Modular Floor & Wall Companies

Innovative

NanaWall - gorgeous exterior, retractable glass walls
DIRTT - beautiful, modern modular floor, wall, & power system (semi-permanent, panelled walls)
Haworth - modern modular floor, wall, & power system
The New York Wall Company - leases pressurized partition systems for New York apartments
Modernfold - attractive accordion, folding walls & partitions

Traditional

TrendWall - made-to-order, semi-permanent modular walls
Nello Moveable Walls - somewhat modern, semi-permanent modular walls
Wall Innovators - semi-permanent modular walls (adjustable height & removable wall panels)
Hufcor - accordion, folding walls & partitions
Panelfold - accordion, folding walls & partitions & semi-permanent modular walls