Intermodal Standard Building Units & Steel Frame Construction
ISBU’s are structural powerhouses that are capable of providing the structural integrity necessary for
a building to stand up and perform. For the SRO units they will be called upon to do just that, providing
the basic building blocks of the buildings, doing the heavy lifting so to speak, eliminating the
need to build a new structure. For the Administrative Office Building they will perform some structural
duties by providing the platform upon which the second floor will rest as well as all of the interior non-
structural walls and at a significant cost savings from framing these walls conventionally. ISBU’S are
inexpensive and readily available in sizes that provide generous square footages of living and working space - making
them a viable and economical option when compared side by side to conventional construction methods.
These ISBU’s are being repurposed at the end of their original intended
lifespan. This “lifecycle” conversation has become increasingly emphasized as an important element
of sustainability, making these structural building units a perfectly suited sustainable building material.
The projects buildings have been designed using a combination of ISBU’s and steel frame construction. By using steel frame construction we are taking advantage of the sustainable building material that steel is, steel uses 70% recycled content, but we also can provide a significant amount of square footage at a very economical price. Our unique approach is to place the ISBU’s inside a very straight forward prefabricated steel shell that provides the exterior walls and roofing assembly. Each component of this steel shell core is pre-manufactured and factory finished for quick onsite assembly.
Exterior Solutions
The exterior walls of the ISBU’s are clad with a standard, durable, and inexpensive
building material that is readily available. A cement fiber board panel with a factory
finish is proposed that will never need the continual upkeep that painted surfaces do.
It will weather with time and become more attractive with age. Little to no maintenance
vinyl windows and fiberglass doors are proposed with no painted casing or trim in a
concerted effort to eliminate known maintenance problem areas.
Interior Solutions
The interior finishes are proposed to be durable and as maintenance free as possible
for both buildings. By eliminating the traditional drywall and paint combination we can
continue to dramatically reduce ongoing maintenance costs. The interior walls and
ceilings will be partially clad with a sealed dimensional plywood paneling that is readily
available, inexpensive and will not require the ongoing maintenance that drywall with
paint demand. Using durable and easily maintain sealed wood wall paneling in the
interiors creates significant cost savings in the construction and maintenance of the
units. This solution will add warmth and a ”homee“ feeling to the interior of the ISBU’s,
and will also allow tenants to hang personal items without the need for expensive
repairs in between tenants. By using this same wall treatment for the Administrative
Office Building, the same comfort aspects will be accomplished while providing an appropriate
wall treatment for the needs of the staff.
This treatment is also applied to the ceilings providing an innovative lighting solution by allowing for a channel of light to be incorporated into the panels and creating a very effective and inexpensive way to light both the SRO’s and Administrative office spaces.
The buildings also use plywood slabs for interior sliding barn doors, reducing the need for expensive lock sets, hinges and door frames. All of which require painting and maintenance over time.
© 2009 AB design studio, inc. c o p y r i g h t: All ideas, designs, and drawings included within these documents are the sole ownership of AB DESIGN STUDIO,INC. and are solely instruments of service for the construction of this proj- ect. They are not to be traced,copied, scanned, reprinted, reproduced, or otherwise used without the expressed and written consent of AB DESIGN STUDIO, INC. All copies to be returned to AB DESIGN STUDIO, INC. un- less specific arrangements have been made in writing between AB DESIGN STUDIO, INC. and its clients, consultants, etc. All rights reserved per California Law and Title 17, U.S. Code. © 2009 AB design studio, inc.
