Main Business Activity - Flexible modular accomodation (MAS) design and installation techniques

Project Outline - Bringing the original concept to life and overcoming MAS structural engineering hurdles enabled realistic investment potential from property developers

Bluebase, an architect company based in London has spent several years developing their innovative modular accommodation system (MAS). Through their Knowledgebase collaboration they were able to overcome structural issues, which were hindering the development of MAS. They are now ready to demonstrate their revolutionary system to the market. 

The vision behind the modular system is “to reduce the cost of accommodation and increase mobility”, says Matthias Hamm, partner in Bluebase and leader of the MAS project. A typical tower has ten suspended units, which can be equipped to their owner’s needs. The units, which are freight containers, are hung from a steel tower to create an apartment block. However, unlike standard properties when you want to move you can simply take your home with you. “Buy a container home rather than rent a flat, is the proposition”, says Matthias. “You can take it with you and have it suspended on a tower in the location of your choice. Home to home, London to Paris, say, in around six hours”. 

In addition to homes the MAS can also provide offices, temporary broadcasting studios for a Formula 1 event or athletes accommodation for the Olympic Games.  “The system is extremely flexible”, says Matthias who started working on the idea in 2000, “It was in the pre i-pod era and everyone was getting excited about using containers”, now his dream is to see one of his towers on a wharf at Chelsea. 

The business vision behind the system was to develop a new stream of product-based revenue with potential for volume sales. The modular building method for the MAS and the potential for off-site construction seemed to offer the perfect solution.  Matthias was confident that his new approach to property development would be a success, especially given that people could own a pod for £30k opposed to the average UK property price of £180k.  However, he realised that without bringing his concept to life and identifying its characteristics properly he would struggle to get property developers seriously interested. 

Having already completed a feasibility report with Dr. Robert Wing and Dr. Sunday Popo-Ola of the department of civil and environmental engineering at Imperial College, London, Matthias was delighted when the opportunity arose for him to work with the two men for a second time. The men this time focused on the structural properties of MAS and it’s investment potential. “The main hurdle for me up to that point was the structural engineering”, says Matthias. 

Robert and Sunday carried out a detailed study of stability and installation issues for the MAS, and they made several recommendations. These included the need for a stiffer tower, in view of the bending movements to which the structure would be subjected due to wind and transportation. Matthias, Robert and Sunday also worked to provide further protection for the intellectual property their research uncovered. Matthias commented, “The academic link-up is great, they really help you develop your ideas and you can trust them not to run away with them”.