The Future of Modular Design

Architecture Australia Magazine’s article titled Modular School Design: When 1+1 equals more than 2, highlights the importance of Australia moving toward school infrastructure with high quality prefabricated, relocatable learning environments.

As illustrated by AA, Australia’s suitability for understanding and implementing modular infrastructure is unquestionable. The modules are useful for changing demographics, remote communities and disasters, which are understandably key levers for creating innovative infrastructure in Australia.

The Future Proofing Schools (FPS), and Australian Research Council (ARC) Linkage Project undertaken by the Melbourne School of Design realised a competition to gather the insights and ideas of some of Australia’s brightest and most ingenious Architects in creating these relocatable learning environments. Prize winner in the competition, NBRSARCHITECTURE have translated this idea into a completed project using prefabricated expertise for the Duffy Primary School Learning Centre in the ACT.

The competition enabled a multidisciplinary industry group to instigate Australia’s first peak body for innovation in the prefabrication industry and has challenged the idea of prefabrication as second-rate construction, with NBRS identified as leading the collaborative group in setting a standard for modular infrastructure in Australia.

NBRS is an integrative firm, who lead in educational and institutional infrastructure. Following the Duffy Primary School project, NBRS has developed the modular, prefabricated innovative approach through the design of the DEC Cairnsfoot Special Needs School and a prototype design for regional NSW Police Stations. The Cairnsfoot School will commence fabrication in the first half of 2015.