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Adapting to Nature with Plywood and Compressed Panels in Modular Housing

Author:
Tony Jemmott
Adapting to Nature with Plywood and Compressed Panels in Modular Housing
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Constructed with plywood and compressed fibre cement panels, this modular housing solution adapts to its natural surroundings while providing flexible living spaces for diverse resident needs.
5 key facts about this project
01
Utilizes a modular Q 300 system for flexible design configurations.
02
Incorporates a four-panel floor system to enhance spatial efficiency.
03
Features interior plywood lining combined with exterior compressed fibre cement.
04
Designed for easy disassembly to facilitate staging and modifications.
05
Optimized for site-specific conditions, retaining existing trees and natural features.

The Australian Modular House, featuring the Q 300 system, offers a fresh approach to residential design. It focuses on creating adaptable and flexible living spaces. The setting requires a careful response to specific needs and functionality. The overall design concept centers around modularity, enabling a range of housing options within a single framework.

Modular Framework

The Australian Modular House is built on a modular framework that allows various parts to be combined in creative ways. This structure resembles a jigsaw puzzle, where every piece serves a purpose in the whole. The house’s primary structure consists of a simple frame made from posts and beams, combined with a series of cassettes that form the chassis. This design supports different sizes and layouts, granting builders the ability to create unique homes from standardized components.

Material Composition

The building incorporates plywood for the interior panels and uses compressed fibre cement panels on the outside. This combination is practical, as it enhances the strength and durability of the house. The design allows for a mixture of solid wall elements, windows, and doors, offering varied configurations. Additionally, the roof and ceiling comprise cassettes for horizontal elements alongside insulated panels for gabled sections, improving overall energy efficiency and comfort.

Adaptability and Site Response

Adaptability is a key feature of the Australian Modular House. The design facilitates adjustments to internal spaces with movable walls, catering to the changing needs of residents. The Q 300 system encourages building in stages, emphasizing easy disassembly and reconstruction. It also responds to site-specific challenges, arranging the layout to minimize impact on existing trees and natural features. This thoughtful approach balances the architectural vision with environmental considerations.

Final Design Detail

The four-panel floor system plays a vital role in the overall design. It fits neatly within the framework, providing both structural support and flexibility in how spaces are used. This design approach allows for larger, open areas that enhance the overall living experience. With careful planning, the house creates a comfortable environment suited for diverse lifestyles and needs.

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The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025: Celebrating Architectural Creativity and Visionary Unbuilt Designs with a Total Prize Fund of €100,000

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Competition organisers

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 is an international architecture competition dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the value of unrealized architectural designs. It invites architects, designers, and students worldwide to submit visionary projects that have not yet been constructed, highlighting the power of ideas and the creativity behind the design process. By focusing on unbuilt work, the competition aims to bring forward concepts that shape the future of architecture and push the boundaries of the profession. 

Participants can compete in three categories based on project scale: Small Wonders (up to 100 m²), Medium Marvels (101–999 m²), and Large Visions (over 1,000 m²). Each category winner will receive €20,000, and additional prizes include honorable mentions, student awards, and a special Best Presentation Award. Winning projects will gain significant international exposure through Buildner’s publicity campaign and a feature article on ArchDaily, providing a unique opportunity to showcase creative ideas to a global audience. 

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 encourages entrants to submit any type of unbuilt project, from conceptual visions to detailed designs, celebrating bold innovation without the constraints of realization. Important deadlines: registration closes on October 30, 2025; submissions are due by November 20, 2025; winners will be announced on December 17, 2025.

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025

Celebrating your unbuilt architecture visions with a €100,000 prize

100,000€ Prize / 2025 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 30 October 2025

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