Blob vB3 | dmvA architecten

The design dmvA made for the office of XfactorAgencies, as an extension to the house, was relentlessly rejected by local building regulations. Used to working with limitations and blurring these boundaries at the same time, dmvA answered by designing a mobile unit, a blob. As a mobile construction and holding a high dose of art, it skirted round the strict building codes. AD&C, as a builder, worked 18 months on this project, resulting in this smooth looking egg. Started by building a timber frame, covered it up with a stretching material and plastered with polyester. Shaped by sanding the polyester time and time again. Inside, the space was built up with niches, lighted by leds. The space in between the outer in inner shell was filled up with PUR insulation. This space-egg houses all necessary items one could possibly need; bathroom, kitchen, lighting, a bed and several niches to store your stuff. The nose can be opened automatically and functions as a kind of porch. You could easily use this mobile unit as an office, a guestroom, a reception, a garden-house, or whatever you want to. The material used is polyester, sizes are like a big caravan and it can be moved to any place you like. Art foundation Verbeke in Kemzeke www.verbekefoundation.com bought the Blob in 2011. Flexibility versus sustainability As Flanders is known as one of the most built over regions in the world, sustainability is here indissolubly linked to intelligent utilization of land. Small mobile house entities may respond to the lack of open space and green. So flexibility means sustainability. No fixed constructions but movable dwelling objects which can be grouped on the outskirts of tows and villages. Super insulated compact form One of the initial concepts was the ecological and energetic aspect of the design of the Blob VB3. This search led to a compact and organic form, shaped like a drop –low air resistance when moved- and constructed from an inner and outer skin of polyester. Service facilities like kitchenette and sanitary as well as storing and techniques were placed in between. The space left was injected with polyurethane foam. This overall insulation varies in thickness from 20-60 cm. and generates a heat-transmission rate of 16. The well-insulated walls, the light reflecting colour white, as well as the unfolding segments (cupola and nose), which allow light entrance without direct sunlight on the glazed parts behind, are one of the principles of a good energetic concept. Technical installations In terms of techniques the Blob VB3 can be compared to a well-insulated caravan. A plug-in for electricity, water supply, water-outlet and chemical toilet are characteristic for both Blob and caravan. An electric floor convector provides heating, but because of the good insulation costs are limited. A small boiler supplies 30 litres of hot water. Static ventilation by means of the open cupola. The functional basis lighting is integrated in two glazed floor circles with T5 strips. The white curved ceiling reflects and disperses the light. Red coloured Led strips were built in the niches acting as mood lighting. Both systems are characterized by low energy consumption. So, no technical gadgets, we invest in compactness, insulation and sun-shading. Costs prototype: 67.000 euro including architect fee Estimated costs by reproducing 1000 entities: 27.000 euro