Construction Process
Floor Plans / Drawings
About Hsu-Rudolphy Arquitectos
| Architect | Hsu-Rudolphy Arquitectos |
| Containers | 70x 20ft |
| Area | 1400 m² |
| Location | Santiago, Chile |
| Year | 2022 |
Description by the architects
1,400 m2 of collective low-cost housing for students or single individuals, four stories in height, built based on a prefabricated system of recycled containers and a steel structure, designed in order that it can be built in low and medium-density areas in the city, adding or decreasing modules according to the available land. This modular concept can be adapted or can be built in different stages depending on different conditions such as commercial demand or economic budget. One of the relevant advantages is the speed of construction due to his prefabricated main structure that can be mounted on the site in a matter of weeks.
This project in particular has been designed from 6 pre-made stair blocks and 70 containers, which are arranged intercalated creating small balconies on most of the units. This gap between modules also adds a dynamic character to the overall expression of the building. Only the foundations, first slab, and the MEP system were built on site, the rest of the elements were prefabricated and installed on site.
User.
The project was conceived as a low-cost building with a modern and contemporary look and feel, focused on young users who need an essential space, with minimal basic elements to live in. Every unit works as a self-sufficient space of a dorm studio, bathroom, and kitchenette, the first-floor units have a small yard, and most of the rest of the upper units have balconies.
Sustainability.
The project was conceived to work with a passive strategy due to his limited budget, so we focused our efforts on the key and simple elements such as orientation, isolation, and cross ventilation. The construction process was also another sustainable aspect that we focused on, reducing as much as possible the unnecessary waste, and how the modular system using recycled containers could help us to achieve that goal.
What were the key challenges?
Speed of construction, budget, prefabrication, and work with the module of a container, that means different kinds of constrictions, and finally how to arrange them in order to find a functional and interesting geometry.
What materials did you choose and why?
Because of the nature of the project, the main material is steel in his structure and exterior skin, in the interior the building is cover by sound and thermal isolation, and finished whit gypsum board.
Material Used:
- Facade cladding: Prepainted steel sheet 0.8mm
- Flooring: Steel and PVC
- Doors: Wood
- Windows: Thermo windows and PVC
- Roofing: Prepainted steel sheet 0.8mm with polyurethane isolation
- Interior lighting: Led
Construction Process
Floor Plans / Drawings
About Hsu-Rudolphy Arquitectos
"Design is the combination of a rational and sensitive process, therefore the result is unknown." An important aspect within the creative and productive process of our office is to be at the forefront of the state of the art as well as in the use of different technologies, which are fundamental in the process of materializing each project.
BIM
(Building Information Modeling)
It is a virtual building construction methodology that allows for the creation of digital design simulations in real time, managing all of its components in a coordinated manner
MEP
(Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing)
It corresponds to specialty projects complementary to an architectural project, which are integrated into a consolidated model between architecture, structure, air conditioning, electricity, sanitary, among others
EXPERIENCE
We have more than 15 years of experience working on the BIM platform, which allows us to design, model and visualize the project at any stage of progress, in order to ensure the coherence of the information, minimize any discrepancy, achieving a consistent virtual project, as close to reality as possible, which directly influences the reduction of overruns at the construction stage.
-This work methodology allows us to interact with the other specialists involved and coordinate the information with the review of all their plans to ensure consistency with the architectural project.
Ian Hsu
Architect from the University of Chile, graduated in 2007.
His works have been recognized in prominent international publications, such as the Italian magazine Legno, Enki, Domus, Design Milk, Archdaily, Arquitectura Viva, Dezeen, Grand Designs, Designboom and his work has also been exhibited at the 15th and 19th Architecture Biennials in Chile.
In 2012 he joined Gabriel Rudolphy and together they formed the Hsu-Rudolphy Arquitectos office.
During his career he has worked in association with the prominent architects Cazú Zegers and Roberto Benavente.
He is a specialist in BIM (Building Information Modeling) technology, participating in seminars and lectures to present examples of success using cutting-edge technologies in architecture.
Gabriel Rudolphy
Architect from the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, graduated in 2003.
Co-founder of URO1.ORG.
His projects have been published in leading specialized magazines in Chile and abroad, as well as in 21st Century Architecture -Phaidon, Wood Architecture - Taschen.
Between 2008 and 2012 he carried out projects with Roberto Benavente with an emphasis on heritage and museography, projects of a cultural nature.
Together with Alejandro Soffia, he carried out various projects such as participation in YAP Constructo, where his work was exhibited at the MoMA in New York.
His work has been exhibited at the Hong Kong Shenzhen Biennials, IX Biennale di Venezia, XIII, XIV, XV, XIX Architecture Biennials of Chile
| Address | Santiago, Chile |
| Phone 1 | +56989044492 |
| Phone 2 | +56990155252 |
| Email 1 | ian@hsu-rudolphy.cl |
| Email 2 | gabriel@hsu-rudolphy.cl |
| Instargam | https://www.instagram.com/hsu_rudolphy/ |
| Website | https://www.hsu-rudolphy.cl/ |
Links
- https://www.hsu-rudolphy.cl/container-building
- https://www.archdaily.com/997619/container-building-hsu-rudolphy-architects
- https://www.metalocus.es/en/news/modular-concept-essential-space-container-building-hsu-rudolphy-architects
- https://archello.com/project/container-building
Low-Cost Shipping Container Housing for Students or Single Individuals, Santiago, Chile