PAO’s prefabricated plugin tower reconsiders residential living in china
the structure stands without the need for foundations, circumventing the strict planning approval required for permanent buildings.
people’s architecture office has designed a temporary, prefabricated structure that addresses the future of residential living in china. installed at the shenzhen headquarters of real estate developer vanke, the ‘plugin tower’ addresses the insecurity of private home ownership in a country where land is held exclusively by the government, and the construction of private homes is reserved for the wealthy.
all images courtesy of people’s architecture office
commissioned by vanke, people’s architecture office has designed the structure to stand without the need for foundations, circumventing the strict planning approval required for permanent buildings. the flexible and adaptable design also excludes the risk of losing one’s property, as residents can pack up their home and bring it with them if they are forced to relocate.
the prefabricated structure addresses the future of residential living in china
infinitely expandable, the prefabricated system comprises a steel space frame, a kit of parts that can be assembled in endless variations. empty bays within the frame are plugged with living units, altered and unplugged when necessary. various modules that incorporate insulation, wiring, plumbing, and interior and exterior finishes are combined within a single molded part. theses panels are attached with integrated locks, easily installed with just an allen key.
the scheme has been installed at the shenzhen headquarters of real estate developer vanke
the ‘plugin tower’ addresses the insecurity of private home ownership
the structure stands without the need for foundations
residents can pack up their home and bring it with them if they are forced to relocate
the prefabricated system comprises a kit of parts that can be assembled in endless variations
empty bays within the frame are plugged with living units, altered and unplugged when necessary
panels are attached with integrated locks, easily installed with just an allen key
each panel includes insulation, wiring, plumbing, and interior and exterior finishes
timelapse video documenting the project’s construction
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project info:
client: china vanke co., ltd. & LDG narrative design
location: shenzhen, china
completed: september 2016
principals: he zhe, james shen, zang feng
project team: zhang minghui, lin mingkai, amy song, zhang zhen
photography: people’s architecture office, hannah wu
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