Little goes a long way
AN INNOVATIVE prefabricated unit designed to meet social housing and crisis accommodation needs has been unveiled in Geelong.
The prototype for the onebedroom unit, called Prefab21, was developed by Geelong company FormFlow, Samaritan House Geelong and Deakin University.
Measuring 4m by 10m, Prefab21 comprises a living space, bedroom and bathroom and is the first of seven independent living units to be installed by Samaritan House Geelong in Moolap as transitional accommodation for men who have experienced homelessness.
Samaritan House Geelong board member Brian Sherwell said the project was an innovative response to the shortage of affordable rental accommodation for single homeless men in the city.
“This is an exciting project for us because it encourages local collaboration with Deakin and FormFlow, and supports Geelong innovation,” Mr Sherwell said.
“It has excellent potential for independent living, especially related to social housing needs in regional Victoria and elsewhere across the country.”
Deakin architecture students worked closely with FormFlow, which is based in the university’s advanced manufacturing hub ManuFutures, and Samaritan House to design the unit.
Professor James Doerfler, from Deakin’s School of Architecture and Built Environment, said the project was a unique real-world learning experience for the students, who aimed to create a home that was comfortable, sustainable and affordable.
“Prefab21 draws on sustainable design principles using strong, durable, recyclable materials, and exploits the potential of FormFlow’s world-first revolutionary bending technology and advanced prefabrication processes.” Prof Doerfler said.
FormFlow chief operating officer Bernard Brussow said Prefab21 met six-star energy ratings and had a reduced carbon footprint because all components could be recycled.
“Passive solar features include a north-facing orientation, elevated ceiling, high eaves and a ‘floating’ roof, which accommodates the winter sun and blocks the summer sun,” Mr Brussow said.
“Despite its size, the window positions and high ceilings give the house a sense of spaciousness and ensure it doesn’t feel boxed-in.”
Mr Brussow said the Prefab21 concept had wide potential in prefabricated modular living and tiny house applications.
“As well as transitional housing, the design is already being used by conventional homeowners who need extra space, such as families with growing teenagers,” Mr Brussow said.
“It can also be used as emergency accommodation after bushfires or earthquakes and its modularity means it can be expanded for standard housing, with particular value in high-density urban areas and developing nations.”
Prof Doerfler said the Prefab21 project allowed the partners to demonstrate how nextgeneration design and manufacturing offered a new way of thinking about 21st century housing. .