Drawing tomorrow's modular homes

Building houses is a complex operation consisting of a large number of steps. Many customers want a complete solution that doesn't require them to maintain contact with architects, designers and other specialist competences themselves. That's why POJI collaborates with several different companies to be able to give you a complete solution.

Used to working with building modules

One of our collaboration partners is Nest Arkitektur in Karlstad. A bureau with great building technology expertise, and experience of working with building modules. In a small office on Älvgatan in Karlstad two architects sit drawing tomorrow's modular houses on gigantic curved computer screens. The furnishings are spartan. A desk each, two classic armchairs and… a dartboard.

Wanted to do what they enjoy most

Henrik Karlsson and David Andersson had been talking for several years about starting an architecture firm together. Both have work as their interest and they wanted to live a free life and do what they enjoy most. The driving force has always been to feel good and have fun.

Started Nest Arkitektur

When Henrik and David heard about a project that gave them the opportunity to be involved in developing tomorrow's modular houses, it was an easy choice. It became the starting shot for Nest Arkitektur.

Per-Olof Hulthe at POJI was a mentor for Nest Arkitektur in the start-up phase and that was one of the reasons why they today have a framework agreement with MOKO – a modular house builder with the vision of revolutionising the construction industry with new ways of thinking and advanced digital tools.

New challenges with modular houses

So now Nest works practically every day drawing modular houses. Something that has presented them with new challenges that don't exist with site-built houses.

"You have to think systematically and manage the modules as well as possible. The zoning plan's building rights and vision must be followed even if we draw modular houses. The building system has certain guidelines we have to follow, but it is so well developed that it barely restricts our work at all. With MOKO's system you can almost not see that it's a modular house we're drawing. The greatest limitation is probably when the modules are to be transported," says David.

And anyone who has met a module transport on a narrow country road understands what he means.

Must follow many rules and requirements

As architects they have many building regulations and social requirements to follow. Dwellings must be accessible and different rooms must have certain lengths and widths to be approved. A wheelchair user must be able to enter and have space to turn in the kitchen and bathroom. Evacuation requirements regulate what width the doors should be.

There are also rules for how much daylight must come into a dwelling, and there must not be too much noise in an apartment. Furthermore, the architect must follow applicable zoning plans and the client's requirements. Often the houses should be built of relatively maintenance-free materials.

Amazing to get to create people's homes

And somewhere on the other side of a building project, people are going to live and thrive in their housing. Children will grow up and play in the area and create memories for life.

"It's quite amazing to get to draw people's homes and workplaces, and it spurs us to do as good a job as possible," Henrik concludes.