Go-Evolve’s modular housing design set to build the future

THE founders of a Surfers Paradise-based architectural firm believe their ‘speedy and economical’ modular building system could be the future of housing.

An artist impression of a house constructed using the Universal Modular Building System developed by Magnus Bjornsson and being actively marketed by Go-Evolve. Picture: SUPPLIED

THE founders of a Surfers Paradise-based architectural firm believe their “speedy and economical” modular building system could be the future of housing.

The Universal Modular Building System (UMBS) was developed by Magnus Bjornsson as an efficient and environmentally-friendly way to construct everything from architect-designed houses to multistorey accommodation.

The system works through the use of interlocking module-components made from prefabricated steel in combination with Hebel (aerated concrete) floors and walls, and an external skin-wall-panel of composite fibre cement sheeting and polyurethane.

This form of building can be constructed in a short period and has been endorsed by Dr Neil Thompson, a postdoctoral research fellow at the Queensland University of Technology.

A demonstration house was built using the UMBS on Macleay Island in Moreton Bay to lockup stage in one week (meaning the structure was weatherproof and lockable).

Mr Bjornsson, who was born in Iceland and educated in Norway, has researched and studied sustainable housing for decades.

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In 2010, Mr Bjornsson made headlines when he claimed that he had worked on designs for Tipplers resort on South Stradbroke Island for nothing.

Go-Evolve director Lester Drew, who handles the marketing side of the business while Mr Bjornsson deals with the technical aspects, began engaging with Mr Bjornsson on sustainable housing in the early 2000s.

He said the system could cater to a number of markets including affordable housing for indigenous communities and multistorey buildings in earthquake-prone areas in China.

“The benefit of our system is it is very duplicatable and is like buying a house from Ikea,” he said.

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“It is built under a Meccano (toy model construction system) principle. When people build one or two modules, then they can build a block of units using the system.”

They plan to license builders to use the system, taking a cut of projects when the UMBS is deployed. Mr Drew said the use of Hebel had a number of advantages.

“We don’t need to pour concrete on-site. The panels come and two men can lift every piece. Importantly our building is one-fifth the weight of others constructed through traditional methods.”

Mr Drew said Hebel also assumed the ambient temperature, meaning there was little need for heating or cooling, resulting in electricity savings.

The system has drawn a lot of interest. Earlier this year Go-Evolve was awarded a State Government grant to set up in Guangdong’s hi-tech industrial park for three months with the goal of learning about Chinese commercialisation, sourcing local staff and building business networks.

Mr Drew said the UMBS was a challenge to traditional building: “We find by going to most building companies, they are so entrenched in doing things a certain way that they don’t want to change. So I’ve been talking to government departments because they want sustainable building.”