PROJECTS

SCOPE

The lack of housing typologies adaptable to different levels of expansion, comfort and energy efficiency, the need to requalify and replace old buildings, whose quality standards are out of line with current regulatory requirements, as well as the new sustainability requirements, reduction of energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions constitute urgent challenges for the construction sector.

It is in this context that the consortium aims to develop an innovative modular construction concept by integrating design, functionality, customization, ecoefficiency and adaptability features in one product which will go beyond what the national and international markets currently offer.

In order to adapt to varying user requirements, the construction system developed in this project will be modular, prefabricated and flexible. Inspired by the concept of versatile modules connecting with each other, the construction system will be able to assume various architectural shapes, adjust to different sizes, and blend with both urban and more natural environments through careful selection of the construction materials.

MAIN OBJETIVE

Strengthen research, technological development and innovation.

Inspired by the concept of versatile modules connecting with each other, the construction system will be able to assume various architectural shapes, adjust to different sizes, as well as presenting high levels of comfort, efficiency and functionality.

The prefabricated modules and submodules will integrate all technical infrastructures, including those associated with implementing a centralized, predictive and intelligent house management through mobile devices for remote control (SMART).

By developing kits and envisioning different scenarios the constructive processes will be developed to facilitate an easy disassembly and reassembly, as well as an easy separation of components and materials for reuse and integration in other systems at the end of life.

ACTIVITIES

Activity1 - Preliminary Studies and concept development
Preliminary studies and concept proposals, including market research regarding the potential emergence of innovative products with characteristics close to those intended to be attributed to the product being developed, as well as the definition of comfort, functional and safety requirements, with the objective of obtaining an excellent and competitive final product.

Activity2 - Development of studies and elaboration of projects
System's modularity development, including connections and selection of all applied materials, having as reference the functional, safety and comfort requirements. During this activity, it will be possible to elaborate with rigor and detail the architectural projects and other specialities (structural stability, water supply and wastewater drainage networks, electricity, telecommunications, home automation and HVAC).

Activity3 - Prototyping and Validation
Manufacturing components to build and assemble a full-scale prototype. During this activity, solutions and system components will be characterized, individually and globally, in order to validate their effective behaviour, regarding several characteristics: physical, hygrothermal, acoustic, mechanical, durability and fire reaction.

Activity4 - Definitions of manufacturing, transport and assembly specifications
Deepen the marketing strategy and competitiveness of the final product. Production process optimization, in order to improve material and labor usage, with focus on assembly process simplification and transport optimization.

Activity 5- Promotion and result dissemination
Dissemination of the achieved results within the scope of the research and development process associated with the project among the research community, target sectors, and general public.

Expected results
The ambition of this project is to introduce an innovative, high-performance, and technologically appealing modular system to the market, thus filling some gaps that still exist in modular construction and establishing an advantageous relationship with traditional construction.