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Main Category:
Modular Building Design
Affiliate:
KBS Building Systems
Building Use:
Lowell income housing
Gross Size of Project:
4872
Square Feet
- Architectural Excellence
Project is 2 residential multi-family homes each with 3 apartments. First floor each dwelling is ADA accessible. Units are situated on land sourced by Lexington Housing Authority on a community farm overlooking Arlington reservoir. All 6 units are affordable housing. First and second floors are modular boxes. Basement apartment was framed on-site.
- Technical Innovation & Sustainability
Houses are extremely energy efficient. Bottom level is closed cell spray foam achieving minimum R-21 value in the basement walls. First and second floor modular buildings are double wall construction which allowed for 3 layers of thermos fiber insulation resulting in a R-45 in the exterior walls. Ceilings have 21 inches blown-in insulation in each attic. The HERS (Home Energy Rating System) was low. Each unit received HERC (Home Energy Rating Certificate) ranging from 47-52 with an average of 49 across the 6 units. HVAC is ducted heat pump style mechanicals. Each unit has its own system. Hot water heater is a hybrid model and again each unit has its own heater.
- Cost Effectiveness
The use of modular enabled speed to occupancy. Significant site work was required to be performed concurrent to work being done at the factory. As a result, the schedule of completion was reduced, enabling occupancy within 180 days. Simultaneous off-site production of units while site work was being conducted is estimated to have saved project 2 months.