Prefabricated housing is a pressing issue--for those looking for affordable homes as well as for refugees fleeing wars or natural disasters. In common with politicians, architects were caught unawares by the largest wave of migration since the end of the Second World War. However, are tent cities and containers the best solution for cheap, dignified, and quickly assembled accommodation for displaced persons? This challenging situation, along with the changing urban landscape, with its ever diminishing space, calls into question existing standards in relation to serial housing. Bold and unconventional ideas are called for if architects are to offer high-quality solutions. From eccentric experiments all the way to projects that have already been realized, international design teams present their work between the twin poles of unconventional developments and life-saving shelters in this volume spanning more than 250 pages. Introduced with articles on design principles, and divided into three sections according to the form the structures take when delivered - cuboid, panels and custom units - the book covers everything from playful follies to architectural constructions for the homeless and out­patient medical stations which offer a response to social problems and space shortages. The text, photographs and plans put forward ideas as to how more can be done than the mere assembling of containers. Should we not first consider notions bordering on the absurd in order to come up with workable solutions for housing today?

Modular construction can dramatically improve efficiency in construction, through factory production of pre-engineered building units and their delivery to the site either as entire buildings or as substantial elements. The required technology and application are developing rapidly, but design is still in its infancy. Good design requires a knowledge of modular production, installation and interface issues and also an understanding of the economics and client-related benefits which influence design decisions. Looking at eight recent projects, along with background information, this guide gives you coverage of: generic types of module and their application vertical loading, stability and robustness dimensional and spacial planning hybrid construction cladding, services and building physics fire safety and thermal and acoustic performance logistical aspects – such as transport, tolerances and safe installation. A valuable guide for professionals and a thorough introduction for advanced students.

Prefabricated and Modular Architecture demystifies age-old perceptions surrounding prefabrication and modularization of buildings, offering a fresh approach to design and procurement. Experienced architect, William Hogan-O'Neill, provides a unique insight into why architectural design, manufacturing and assembly processes must coexist in parallel. In order for the architectural profession to have a meaningful existence in the future, it must examine the new opportunities that are emerging through automation and artificial intelligence from within the factory environment, as opposed to the construction site. In addition, the book explores the following topics; core elements defining prefabrication; perceptions and influences; precision, exactness and tolerances; standardization and economies of scale; panelized versus modular buildings as a design solution and, finally, common features, technical considerations and certification.

In the present book, we have put together the basic theory of the units and cuspidal divisor class group in the modular function fields, developed over the past few years. Let i) be the upper half plane, and N a positive integer. Let r(N) be the subgroup of SL (Z) consisting of those matrices == 1 mod N. Then r(N)\i) 2 is complex analytic isomorphic to an affine curve YeN), whose compactifi cation is called the modular curve X(N). The affine ring of regular functions on yeN) over C is the integral closure of C[j] in the function field of X(N) over C. Here j is the classical modular function. However, for arithmetic applications, one considers the curve as defined over the cyclotomic field Q(JlN) of N-th roots of unity, and one takes the integral closure either of Q[j] or Z[j], depending on how much arithmetic one wants to throw in. The units in these rings consist of those modular functions which have no zeros or poles in the upper half plane. The points of X(N) which lie at infinity, that is which do not correspond to points on the above affine set, are called the cusps, because of the way they look in a fundamental domain in the upper half plane. They generate a subgroup of the divisor class group, which turns out to be finite, and is called the cuspidal divisor class group.

"...[a] very unique book that integrates benefits of modular systems for enhanced sustainability to meet the global challenges of rapid and sometimes uncontrolled industrialization in the 21st century."—Pinakin Patel, T2M Global This book examines the role of the modular approach for the back end of the energy industry—energy usage management. It outlines the use of modular approaches for the processes used to improve energy conservation and efficiency, which are preludes to the prudent use of energy. Since energy consumption is conventionally broken down into four sectors—residential, transportation, industrial, and commercial—the discussions on energy usage management are also broken down into these four sectors in the book. The book examines the use of modular systems for five application areas that cover the sectors described above: buildings, vehicles, computers and electrical/electronic products, district heating, and wastewater treatment and desalination. This book also discusses the use of a modular approach for energy storage and transportation. Finally, it describes how the modular approach facilitates bottom-up, top-down, and hybrid simulation and modeling of the energy systems from various scientific and socioeconomic perspectives. Aimed at industry professionals and researchers involved in the energy industry, this book illustrates in detail, with the help of concrete industrial examples, how a modular approach can facilitate management of energy usage.

This richly illustrated book provides step-by-step instructions for the construction of over 30 different modular origami structures. The author describes basic folding techniques required to construct the “modules” that are used as building blocks to construct complex ornamental models. The diagrams are clear, crisp, and easy to follow, and are accompanied by inspiring color photographs. Additional tips encourage the reader to design their own original creations. Advance Praise for Marvelous Modular Origami "A must-have for any modular origami polyhedra enthusiast." -Rona Gurkewitz, co-author of Multimodular Origami Polyhedra "The models are paper folding in its purest form. They range from simple Sonobe to floral and geometrical constructions. All are eye-catching and satisfying to fold, and the finished constructions are pleasing to behold. Also included are short sections on the mathematics behind the shapes and optimum color choices." -David Petty, author of Origami A-B-C "In this colorful book, you'll find wonderful original origami modular creations. Meenakshi's clear instructions and helpful hints will have you zipping through these modules as well as improvising your own." -Rachel Katz, co-author of FUN FOLDS: Language Learning Through Paper Folding "Marvelous Modular Origami is a colorful addition to the literature of mathematical origami." -Florence Temko, author of many origami and other craft books

A celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of USM's pioneering modular system within the greater context of architecture and design In 1965, leading Swiss furniture company USM patented its signature modular furniture system, USM Haller. This flexible storage solution for both home and office was inspired by Fritz Haller’s modular architecture and designed for infinite reuse and reconfiguration. Considered a design classic, USM Haller is included in the collections of major museums including MoMA and the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum. Released as part of USM’s fiftieth-anniversary celebration of this iconic furniture design, Rethink the Modular examines the role of unit-based systems in the wider context of architecture and design. It combines previously published writings, specially commissioned essays from thinkers and innovators John Thackara and Rick Poyner, and interviews with leading figures in the design world that explain how the concept of the modular influences their work. Interspersed with visual material, the texts reveal the many possibilities created by balancing structure with flexibility, and seek to redefine the place of modularity in modern design history.

Modular Systems for Energy and Fuel Recovery and Conversion surveys the benefits of the modular approach in the front end of the energy industry. The book also outlines strategies for managing modular approaches for fossil, renewable, and nuclear energy resource recovery and conversion with the help of successful industrial examples. The book points out that while the modular approach is most applicable for distributed and small-scale energy systems, it is also often used for parts of large-scale centralized systems. With the help of successful industrial examples of modular approaches for energy and fuel recovery and conversion, the book points out the need for more balance between large-scale centralized systems and small-scale distributed systems to serve the energy needs of rural and isolated communities. Coal, oil, natural gas, hydrogen, biomass, waste, nuclear, geothermal solar, wind, and hydro energy are examined, showing that modular operations are very successfully used in all these components of the energy industry. Aimed at academic researchers and industry professionals, this book provides successful examples and analysis of the modular operation for energy and fuel recovery and conversion. It is also a reference for those who are engaged in the development of modular systems for energy and fuel recovery and conversion.