Design layout

With its rectangular design and structural steel frames, Universal House meets the demand of high-rise apartments in China.

The design adopts the International 3M Modulus Standard, which meets the production demand of the building and demonstrates efficient and cost-effective construction.

The building is characterised as a slab-type apartment house with a steel frame structure and concrete shear walls. Isolated foundations support its columns, rafts, staircases and elevators.

There are 11 stories with each reaching 2.8m in height, thus making the total height of the dwelling 30.8m from the ground to roof. To optimise space, a large and a small span are set along the depth of building - the small span is 4.8m, while the larger span is 7.5m.

Along the length of the building, there are 10 spans with each span totalling 6.3m. Each column is made of a combination of concrete and steel and the beams are made of high frequency welded H steel. The floors are made of concrete-formed steel deck and the connecting joints between columns and beams are bolted and welded.

To the north entrance are well lit air shafts, which are combined with a staircase and elevator. In the south façade there is continuous broad façade, which is equipped with wide-opened windows and a balcony. In the east and west fastigiums-housetop and balcony-a variety of plants flourish to decrease the overall heat of the building.

The location of the staircases and elevators not only optimise the functional partition of the dwelling, it enhances its flexibility and natural ventilation.

The solar features of this design are set between the bedroom and living rooms to maximise sunlight in both of the rooms.

The toilets and kitchens are equipped with a piping shaft, bringing convenience and durability to the user.

In terms of economics, this design combines functionality with simple construction techniques. In the course of construction, the creation of the steel frame and concrete shear wall can be constructed simultaneously. In order to save construction time and costs, the steel components are prefabricated in the factory and assembled on site.

This design preserves the character of the environment by reducing the area of hard pavement, while regulating water permeability and the temperature and humidity of the soil.

The green hanging gardens border the sides and balconies of the design, thus promoting sustainability.

The layout of the dwelling adequately meets the climate character of WuHan: in winter, the leading wind direction is north and east direction; in summer, the leading wind direction is east south and south direction.

The recyclability of the steel materials used in this design is testimony that it can be reused at the end of its lifespan.

The building's materials include pre-product steel components, energy-saving composite walls, and a concrete-formed steel deck that reduces overall concrete amounts.

The three-dimensional staircases are covered in gardens which enriches the vegetation of both the interior and exterior environment. The use of solar central heating also reduces the need for natural gas and minimises CO2 emissions.

Suspended ceilings promotes heat preservation and heat insulation on the bottom of the second floor slab.

Through energy-saving mechanisms that support promote natural ventilation and lighting, the interior temperature can be controlled by the user to achieve a comfortable level. These energy saving techniques also reduce the use of air-conditioning and electric heating.

This scheme uses the steel integration of toilets and kitchens by setting the piping shaft directly in the centre of the building so that sewage can easily be collected, while allowing water to be recycled through an intermediate water system.

The modularisation design of the steel frame shows that only minimal steel components are necessary. These joint patterns of steel beams and columns assure that the materials can be reused again and again.

Simple diversification of the design include two chief components: all rooms receive natural ventilation and natural lighting; and the modular steel frame lends flexibility, durability and strength to the housing structure.

Moreover, the flexible nature of steel enables this building to withstand and tolerate natural events, such as earthquakes.