The fourth Modular Home by Studio 804, constructed in the spring of 2007, delivers this 1,500 square-foot house to the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, merely blocks away from the University of Kansas Medical Center, connecting the residents of the home to the urban core of Kansas City. Consisting of seven modules that were separately constructed and joined together on site, Modular 4 features a flexible floor plan anchored by a core of service space to give definition to the interior, designating public and private spaces.
Modular 4 carefully addresses issues and opportunities concerning site, materiality, and energy efficiency. The north façade is heavily insulated with recycled cellulose and tightly sealed to protect from cold northern winds while the south façade is comprised of broad glazing to capitalize on natural light and solar heat gain when desired. Other sustainable features include bamboo flooring, recycled countertops, adjustable thermal window protection, a porous driveway, FSC approved Brazilian hardwood and recycled aluminum siding, ventilating skylights, and a white “cool” roof.
The University of Kansas Department of Architecture invites applications for Studio 804, a comprehensive one-year, fully hands-on design-build experience for students who are at an advanced stage in their studies and committed to the continued research and development of affordable, sustainable and inventive building solutions. Students enrolled in Studio 804 work full time to design and build a new building every year. The widely-published program, under the direction of Distinguished Professor Dan Rockhill, has produced ten LEED Platinum buildings, three of which are Passive House-certified. To learn more, visit studio804.com and architecture. ku.edu/studio804. The university accepts transfers, 4+2 grads, B.Arch grads, M.Arch grads, or professionals — anyone who wants to be a better architect by having had the experience of designing and constructing a sophisticated building in its entirety from the ground up.