By KC Cabin Solutions Company 0 Comments

Modular Buildings – New Offer

MTB FIVE design, under 30m2 flat-pack

The impact of the past year is becoming more apparent in the building industry. Businesses are forced to raise prices of the materials and services. The number of worries and gloomy comments, visible in various articles on different portals, is growing. Clients are struggling because for the same services and products they are charged substantially more. Certain items are simply out of stock. Services are still being canceled altogether or are delayed. This leads to a lower number of orders and as a result, some of the businesses, will not survive the situation. Both businesses and clients are therefore not happy.

We are lucky because even though at times the situation on the market may be challenging, we look positively into the future. Here and now, we want to continue to provide easy and achievable building solutions at affordable prices. We want our buildings to be practical and visually appealing. Therefore, we recently decided to develop a new offer.

Expanding Our Offer

Our offer is expanding regardless of the difficult situation on the market and we are doing our best to keep our prices at competitive rates in comparison to other offers on the market. The main goal of the new offer is to be versatile, meaning focusing on extending the use of our buildings to a variety of clients. On this occasion having particularly private clients in mind. The new line could be seen as a more attractive purchase to private clients because the designs are fit for residential use. With the new line, we also introduce new materials, particularly wood, while the designs allow you for any interior arrangement including converting these into the residential area, guest house, holiday/relaxation area, office space, and more.

MTB ONE design, over 30m2 flat-pack

Buildings included in the new offer are based on a wooden frame. Assembling the structures varies from our previous offers. With the exception of the ready-made static caravan design (picture on top) which, once unloaded, is ready to use, other structures in the new line are made as flat-packs. This means that, with the included instructions, you have the option of assembling the structures yourself, saving money on the assembly costs or, if preferred, you can hire a contractor to do it for you. We also offer an option of assembly if required.

More Information

Would you like to know more about our new offer? For more information on the static caravan, click here

To read more about our under 30m2 flat-pack design click here, and scroll down to the MTB FIVE design option

And finally, if you would like to know more about our larger, over 30m2, the flat-pack design you will find more information here

By KC Cabin Solutions New Products 0 Comments

Insulated Lodge

Made in a factory our modular buildings are delivered to the site ready to use with smaller buildings being delivered in one piece and larger in two or more. But those rules apply to our standard products based on the steel construction and sandwich panel walls and there are many ways of using prefabrication. In the building industry, prefabrication saves time and money. With all the components being produced off-site, there are also other benefits. The number of options when using prefabricated materials is what drives our thinking as building providers.

A New Idea

Present in our everyday conversations, our top subjects are new ideas and new creations with the use of prefabricated materials. We are always excited to include something new and recently this is exactly what we have been doing.

Our insulated lodge, which is a flat-pack building kit, is one of our new products. Created with the use of a wooden frame and SIP panel walls, this structure can serve multiple purposes. It could be used as an office space, guest house, garden room, relaxation area, and more.

How the Lodge Kit is Prepared?

The insulated lodge kit includes all the elements required to assemble the structure as a building shell. By all the elements we mean not only structural elements (made with certified C24 timber) and SIP wall panels but we also mean screws, membranes, sealants, and more. For the building assembly, we attach detailed instructions explaining every construction phase. All the elements needed for the assembly are carefully prefabricated by a qualified team of professionals and quality controlled as well as numbered during the production stage process. This helps with the overall build and once again proves prefabrication being the time and money saver in comparison to the traditional building methods. The time spent in the factory during the prefabrication processes significantly reduces your work and cost on-site.

Lodge Unloading and Construction

Some of the larger elements of the insulated lodge kit will weigh up to a maximum of 62kg therefore for the unloading you will need extra people to carry the weight. Experienced builders could build this lodge in 6 days, while a team of people with basic construction knowledge should be able to do it in 10-12 days. Based on that, for the construction of the lodge, it is your decision whether you hire contractors or prefer to gather a team of DIY lovers who want to help. No matter who you decide to choose for the job, the important elements of the process is to carefully follow the construction instructions included.

Lodge Finishing Touches

As previously mentioned, the kit includes all the elements needed to assemble the building as a building shell only. This means that the electrical installation, plumbing, and other finishes, such as painting and decorating, are not included in the kit. These need to be finalized separately. It does mean though that you have full control over the decorative elements as well as furnishing. Whatever the chosen purpose of the insulated lodge, with the use of stylish finishing touches, you will be able to adapt it to your desired use, which will highlight the modern design of the structure.

If you would like to know more about our Insulated lodge, please click here.

By KC Cabin Solutions Company • Trends 0 Comments

Timber Frame Building

Each new building is an exciting endeavour opening up new possibilities. Always in search for more; more ideas, more design options, more versatility in building use, we continue to strive to provide the highest quality buildings. 

Timber Frame Construction

Our new offer of a timber frame building, a fully mobile modern structure based on solid construction, is an exciting addition to our modular technology. The building can be used in a number of ways. It can serve as a garden office, a bespoke garden building, an insulated summer house, and more. Depending on the clients’ ideas and needs the building can be converted via interior decor into the desired use. Made on a solid construction; combined Scandinavian timber, and patented technology, this mobile structure is versatile and comfortable. 

Comfort and Stability of the Structure

The weight and stability of the structure differentiate it greatly from other similar in size and construction mobile buildings. Thanks to this you will not feel that you are inside a mobile structure at all. In this year-round building, made with the use of high-quality materials, which include modern furnishing, you will feel the comfort of a hotel room. 

Interior Decor

The kitchenette is equipped with an oven, a fridge, cooker hood, induction hob, and a sink. The bathroom has a shower enclosure, wall cabinets, radiator, bathroom sink, wall hung toilet with a slow-closing seat, towel hangers. The floor in the bathroom is tiled. The walls in the bathroom are partially tiled. The bedroom furniture consists of a double bed with a mattress, two tables, a chest of drawers, a chandelier in modern design. In the living room, there is a high chest of drawers, a TV cabinet, a fold-out sofa, and a wall shelf above the chest of drawers. All in contemporary design. 

Contemporary Design

All the furnishing and interior décor are in a contemporary design. Materials are chosen carefully and thought through in such a way so that the building is ready to use while at the same time the décor can be rearranged or added to. This makes the structure more versatile, user-friendly, and adaptable to different purposes. Additionally, we install soundproofed partition walls in the building with wooden doors. Electrical installation and heating are also installed. 

More About the Structure

The building is in a ready-to-move-in condition. At the same time, the building can be changed/adapted by our clients to match their needs. This can be done via interior decor adaptations. If you would like to know more about this new building offer, including the floor plan and detailed specifications please check out our website here or contact us via phone/email.

By KC Cabin Solutions Design • General Construction 0 Comments

About Visiting Pods

Visiting Pods or meeting pods have recently become very popular. Particularly useful within care home environment these Covid secure facilities are making the difference during a difficult time. These cabins where families can meet safely allow loved ones to reunite and are proving to be additionally useful during the winter months.

Care Home Pods Making the Difference

The pandemic has been difficult for many business owners and employees in all sectors; cafes, music venues, stores, factories and many more. Pandemic has also been particularly tough on families. The loved ones not being able to see each other are missing their families. Those living in care home environment or those who have loved ones living there can feel it.

Having a designated space for loved ones to meet each other has proved to be difficult to manage for care home owners. Trying to reunite outdoors is an equally difficult task. With weather conditions worsening and the danger of spreading the virus, it is a struggle. The idea of care home pods has been born to answer this problem. Allowing loved ones to see one another in a safe environment has already proven successful in many care homes.  There are three main goals to strive towards via use of the visiting pods.

Reaching Goals

Mobile visiting pod

While designing, three main goals come to mind, in order to resolve previously discussed problems. These goals are:

  1.  To reunite families in a safe environment
  2.  To help reduce the spread of the virus
  3.  To reduce impact of weather conditions on the meeting families

The construction of each visiting pod is designed to reach the above goals. Meeting pods construction enables families to meet safely and to bring back smiles on their faces.

Pod’s Construction Methods

The meeting pod construction was though through to tackle the main problems. This led to the use of the following construction solutions:

  1. Family members enter through the two separate doorways; this helps to reduce the spread of the virus
  2. A wall construction dividing the two sections of the room (or two rooms) incorporates glass which enables people to see each other and speak with each other via intercom; this enables people to interact freely while still reducing the spread of the virus
  3. The rooms are easy to clean and sanitize thanks to the materials used; glass, steel. Reducing the spread of the virus once more.
  4. The problem of weather conditions is tackled via structure of the pod itself. It is an insulated building structure and bespoke design. The heating systems and any other requests such as air conditioning is discussed with the client.

Visitor’s Pods Bespoke Design Options

Bespoke design, visitor’s pod

Bespoke design of visitor’s pods means that the size of these buildings as well as a number of windows and the whole visual look can be arranged as requested by the client. The glass dividing the rooms can also be discussed and designed to fit client’s needs. There can be a small opening at the top, instead of an intercom, which could be preferred by some families, meaning they would hear each other more naturally.

After acquiring the building, the client can add any interior details such as peaceful colours of the furniture or wall décor in order to make the room more welcoming to families.

Even with the vaccine here we still cannot predict how long it will take before we can fully come back to normality. No matter how short or long it will take, a long-term reason for this type of building being useful is the diversity of the design as well as a possibility of quick changes to repurpose. In the future this type of building can be adapted or kept as a meeting space, with the dividing wall staying in its place or being taken out. It could have many purposes. One of many being a conservatory, a reading space or even a café and relaxation area.

In order to get more inspiration for repurposing a building like this in the future, have a look at our realizations map.

In order to find out more about visitors’ pods designed by us or ask for a quote and advise please contact us.

By KC Cabin Solutions Company 1 Comment

Shipping Container Homes

The idea of architecture being made out of shipping containers have been introduced on our blog earlier on. Today, we are thinking about it again while considering versatility of such built. The reason being is that as a modular building provider, we have recently added shipping container structures to our offer.

Our standard offer of modular building design is different in comparison to a shipping container option. The main difference is the starting point.

The standard modular building we produce could be best described as custom-made. A client is free to choose the size and shape of the building freely.  A shipping container is a pre-existing structure and designing a building with a pre-existing structure in mind could feel very different. Depending on clients’ needs, this could be exactly what’s required. A shipping container will be adapted to the client’s requirements with a clear starting point of a building form in mind.

While planning a project, at its early stages, it can be very practical to be able to look back at its basic form and reimagine it using a number of different methods. Shipping containers can and will be adapted. Changing the shape by connecting structures together, converting windows size and shape as well as doors – all are adaptable. Plenty of modifications can be done. Most importantly, the interior design of such a structure will also offer a wide range of choices. There are limitless possibilities and starting a journey of exploring those possibilities is an exciting beginning.

By KC Cabin Solutions Company • Design 0 Comments

Finding Inspiration

Logic and imagination, the two creative strengths which are important to use interchangeably when working with building design. Using these two strengths will feed the vision and help to stay inspired.

This process is fluid. Imagination is one of the most exciting creative skills to have, a skill which will take us towards any direction we want to move towards. When it comes to undertaking decisions regarding building design imagination must be interchangeably used with logic. This is in order to challenge our ideas.

Logic will conduct a reality check before decisions are made final. Checking for practicality and feasibility of the project is what shapes the imaginative ideas. Logical decisions can then be improved once more with the use of imagination.

When we think of a new vision for the building, here at KC Cabins, we put all our efforts into listening to the client’s needs, ideas, and requirements. We then look at the reality of portable building design we can offer and consider how to spice it up further with imagination. A process that helps us to achieve a successful design.

Everything we do is centered around striving for beauty, safety, and long-term solutions in architectural design. Affordable price and swift design processes are valued by our clients. We want the experience of acquiring a contemporary, personalized modular building to be the best it can be for every client using our services. As a reward for us, this successful process feeds our vision and inspiration for years to come.

By KC Cabin Solutions Design • Trends 0 Comments

Green Wall

Modular buildings could be defined as custom-made, contemporary architectural structures. A client may influence the design process in a number of ways, depending on his/her needs. The final design then forms a unique custom-made structure. An appearance of a finished building will depend on its purpose and can be individualized further with the use of decorative panels to make it more unique, as requested by the client. Alternatively, the type of design can be chosen from one of our standard options meaning that a building shell will have less customization and when compared to our other structures will look more similar. The building in standard design can still be prominent in comparison to other structures. There is also a number of ways in which you can individualize your building further, one of our favourite subjects explored here on this blog.

Our attention for today goes to introducing green wall into a building interior, and particularly a visual effect of such change. The benefits are many, with some of the most impressive ones being health benefits. We have discussed the general subject of indoor plant-scaping on our blog previously. We then spoke of Bill Wolverton’s research into the air quality of building interiors. Air quality is positively affected by the use of plants to the point of clearing the air and improving its quality by getting rid of negative compounds. Additionally, plants also have a positive, calming effect on our emotions. If you would like to know more about Wolverton’s research, you can view this blog post here

Going back to the visual impact of a green wall in a building interior; a wall such as this could be introduced on a smaller section of a larger existing wall or could cover a full-sized wall. The final effect can be controlled by you in terms of its richness. It could be subtle and discreet, a small amount of greenery on a white wall expanded in time, highlighting the beauty of greenery and the pureness of white colour of the wall. It could also be a full-sized green wall, rich and comforting, bringing nature closer to you, right where you work.

There are more benefits to having a green wall. Modifying an existing wall into green space is one of the least expensive and most exciting changes you can introduce in your building interior design. A wall such as this could work as a space divider, dividing the larger area into smaller sections. All divided sections would then benefit from the use of plants.  A full-size green wall would be the main feature of the interior. Imagine a wall like this in your office. The positive impact will be felt by everyone working in the space as well as by the visiting clients. Introducing a green wall into a building interior could therefore be seen as a long-term solution worth investing in.

By KC Cabin Solutions Tips and How To's 0 Comments

Adjusting to Trade During the Times of Social Distancing

For a while now, since we are faced with the new normal, we are obligated to adjust to changes around us. The impact of all the changes depends on the type of business you’re in, a café, an office, a car rental service, a car garage, and so on. Among different rules, accommodating social distancing is one of the most common challenges we are now facing. Whatever your current solution to this challenge is, today we are hoping to offer an idea for an improvement to your modular building or, in fact, any other building’s outdoor space.

When we think of social distancing, we realize how much more space, indoor or outdoor, is needed. In order to accommodate the same number of clients we are used to serving, we are challenged to either create double queues, more sitting areas, or figure out some other bespoke solution. And suddenly the outdoor space has become more important than ever. Whether it’s to add tables outside the café, add queuing space for clients, create meeting area or serving space and queue for a pass-through window, the outdoor space helps greatly during this difficult time.

And yet, as the summer ends, temperatures drop and the weather becomes more difficult to predict, you may start feeling nervous about maintaining outdoor services or even having your clients to queue outside. Let’s face it, how many clients will want to stay in queues when the rain is pouring down on their heads and the wind becomes significantly cooler. Ideally, you may hope for more indoor space to accommodate this change, however, what if this isn’t an option? Consider other methods of updating your surroundings, such as investing in a canopy.

A canopy could be of different sizes and shapes. If you would like, a canopy can become an additional space, an open outdoor room. A modular building with a canopy can be designed to fit your needs. Most importantly though, a canopy could guard your clients against rain and wind. An outdoor space, if nicely decorated, can be very inviting. And because it is outside, it is instantly visible to the clients. This creates an even more inviting feeling.

Additionally, when it comes to indoor spaces, these are still a worry to many people. Clients may feel uneasy to enter indoor space. Therefore, again, having an open outdoor space, achieved by installing a simple canopy, may have a positive effect on a number of clients wanting to use the services. The type of decorations you choose such as light, furniture, or signage, will all improve the look of your business. Even if you want your canopy to be small and simple, and only to guard your clients against weather conditions, it is still an investment that will pay off.

A simple canopy can go a long way to help you maintain your business during this time and past this time too. Investing in a canopy have the potential for a positive visual and practical transformation of your business for years to come no matter the social distancing measures in place.

 

By KC Cabin Solutions Company 0 Comments

While Waiting

All companies everywhere have their own responses to the current situation. We have ours, we work from home too. Other than practical day to day work schedule, here, we would like to consider doing things in general while adjusting to the situation as it stands, not only considering our Modular Buildings but also considering general day to day life.

Since many people have been told to work from home now and we’re spending all this time in separation from others, we are now, waiting. And waiting can be exhausting, to some, more than to others, but still exhausting. This situation demands an answer to the following question, ‘how can we ease the waiting?’ or more correctly ‘how can we change our focus onto something other than waiting?’.  That is not an easy question to answer as with waiting comes anticipation and anticipation may trigger anxious response. This anxious response will most likely leave us wanting to do things. And we can’t. We must wait.

This is not to be meant as analysis, after all, feelings and behaviours analysis is a job for the experts. And all we are thinking of today is how to adjust to the new situation for the time being. Meaning ourselves, our clients, and all the other people out there. Coming back to focus on a simple conclusion to the above trail of thoughts. So ‘[…] anxious response will most likely leave us wanting to do things. And we can’t. We must wait.’ This answer is not entirely true is it? We can still do things, under certain restrictions, yes, but we still can. Therefore, we do not have to wait, or at least not entirely. The things we can do may not be the things we would normally do. This might be a bit straining exercise to force ourselves doing things we wouldn’t normally be doing but it might as well be our best answer to the above question. ‘How can we change our focus onto something other than waiting?’, the simple answer would therefore be, ‘By doing all sorts of things, including things we wouldn’t normally do’. And by doing things, we mean relaxing and doing nothing too.

Sounds easily done, but of course, many of us will find ourselves ending up browsing through the Internet as the simplest solution. Sometimes finding some good stuff there, while also potentially ending up reading about the same subject we are all talking about everywhere, the same subject we are all stuck at home for, the same subject which we are purposefully not naming in this article, and the same subject we are temporarily wanting to break out from in order to keep our senses. Reading news and staying on top of things is important but focusing our attention on one subject for 24h a day, 7 days a week, will not going to ease our waiting and end our anticipation.

Let’s go back to thinking about doing things. What could we be doing now? Maybe sitting down in a quiet room, with warm tea, an open window and birds singing outside. Sitting and writing down our ideas on options of things to do. Or maybe, we are not lucky enough to have a quiet room, as we have three children running around the house and we’re struggling to work from home while trying to home school our children and staying sane at the same time. Or maybe we are on our own, and the house is so quiet that indulging in this quietness even further to consider any form of relaxing this way would be a real struggle. Whatever is around us, in order to find some balance, we probably need a little bit of the opposite. And if it’s an illusion of the opposite, because that might be the only thing available at the moment, that’s fine too. There is always something we can do. It may be an uncomfortable change for us to force ourselves into changing the pattern of our day, but it might as well be our best shot. After all, are we not forced already to change the pattern of our day to day life? While we are working on finding new ideas of how to ease the waiting, we must remember, that in order to do it well, we will probably find ourselves asking the same question more than once this week or at least trying to find more than one solution and juggle between the few.

By KC Cabin Solutions General Construction • Trends 0 Comments

Shipping Containers and Architecture

In the 1950s Malcolm McLean developed a shipping container for the purpose of transporting goods. 37 years later, Philip C. Clark patented a method of converting steel shipping containers into habitable buildings. Shipping containers have become of interest to architects who decided to play around with the idea of architecture made of steel boxes and have been experimenting with new ways of using these structures in innovative ways ever since. The last 20 years have been particularly fruitful when it comes to container use in architecture. This includes habitable buildings, offices, studios, temporary accommodation and many more.

Triggered by constantly growing rent prices leading to pushing away the less wealthy to the city’s outskirts, ‘Container City 1’ and ‘Container City 2’ in London are amongst some of the most recognizable architectural examples of structures made out of shipping containers in the past 20 years. In many large cities, including London, the rising prices pushed away also young creatives, often less wealthy, vibrant and much-needed group. In order to try and lessen the above problem, in Trinity Buoy Wharf area of London there have been two architectural projects undertaken, both involving Shipping Containers architecture. ‘Container City 1’ and ‘Container City 2’ was built between the year 2000 and 2002 and includes studio spaces and some apartments for artists to rent at reasonable prices. The created architectural structures are a vibrant addition to the area. With accents of greenery around the balconies and other areas combined with the bold structures of shipping containers, the whole buildings are looking quite futuristic. Container City 1&2 are fulfilling their destined use and at the same time are an energetic architectural enhancement to the Trinity Buoy Wharf area of London. The contemporary, colourful look of the structures with circular-shaped windows and glass balconies are truly high-spirited enrichment to the area.

Here at KC Cabins Solutions we also sell buildings made out of shipping containers. Selling those types of buildings is additional to our standard offer. Our standard offer is based on modular buildings constructed with steel frame and sandwich panel walls, made to order. When it comes to containers, these can be adapted in a number of ways and as a sales branch, we can offer a wide range of design options, depending on your needs. Photographs attached in the article are showing some of the examples. Please inquire if you would like to know more.

Continuing on the subject of shipping containers’ architecture history, there are many other examples of those types of structures with some of the most recognizable ideas in recent history involving accommodation. Whether it’s temporary accommodation or long-term accommodation, shipping containers can work for both. We will be discussing more exciting examples of shipping container’s architecture to look at in the future.

By KC Cabin Solutions Design 0 Comments

Water Features

An exciting addition to interior design could be a water feature. Water has a calming effect which not only creates the feeling of peace but can also be seen as a sophisticated part of the building’s interior design. There are endless types of water features you can choose from and, depending on the type you require, such a feature can work very effectively as part of the interior design of any building.  

A particularly elegant as well as recently popular is water wall feature. In an office such a feature could be added in an entrance as a statement piece, providing an inviting and elegant entry to the building. It could also enhance clients’ waiting area by making it more welcoming and sophisticated. It could also be an exciting outdoor sculpture.

Water features in general are commonly used in relaxation areas and business types focusing on relaxation such as SPA’s, beauty salons, hotels, etc. and yet these can also be and are successfully used in other business types as well. Over-stimulation of our senses so common in our busy lives is taken away almost instantly when we hear and see water. Water’s natural calming effects are forming our senses into the sea of tranquillity. When we look at water and when we hear water, we are met with less information to process, a lot less in comparison to what we are used to. This sends us off into a meditative state and has an instant soothing effect on our senses.

No matter how large or how small your office is and no matter the business type you’re in, you may benefit from the effects of having a water wall feature in your building for the simple reasons discussed above. Elegance and sophistication such feature bring is a bonus. Something to consider.

By KC Cabin Solutions Trends 0 Comments

Recycling in Construction

We have recently discussed the subject of waste and recycling. When discussing it, we also explained a particularly useful tactic to battle waste, the RRR acronym. RRR stands for Reduce, Reuse and Recycle, and is an acronym widely used by anti-waste campaigns. Let us have a look at the examples of materials used on construction sites with the potential to be reduced, reused and/or recycled in line with the above.

Examples of materials often found on construction sites are; glass, timber, metal, plasterboard, plastic, paper, rubber, concrete and more. All of those materials have the potential to either be reduced, reused and/or recycled in one way or another. When it comes to the reduction of use, steel has been mentioned particularly often by the experts. It is regarded as a durable and strong material with the potential to be used in smaller quantities while still meeting the construction standards. Modular building frames are made of steel therefore the construction of our buildings is considered light and strong. Steel can be joined by bolting or welding and can also be reused. As material steel is considered good to recycle. A fair proportion of steel used in the construction industry currently is being recycled. Recycling of steel can also be improved even more.  

There are many ways to reuse other construction industry materials as well. One of the most versatile is wood which can be reused in a number of ways. From simply reusing wood within the elements of a construction project, through using it as a decorative element in the house to using it as part of landscaping in various forms or, depending on the quality, as firewood. The better the wood quality the more options we have. Depending on the condition and previous use we might be forced to use it for something specific.  For instance, a lower quality wood will only be able to be used as firewood.

Another material good to be recycled is glass. When recycled, glass does not lose its quality and therefore is considered a high-quality recyclable material. We can’t say the same about paper as recycled paper loses on quality. Recycling paper is still highly useful as through recycling we are lowering amounts of new materials used, plus, the variety of papers is needed for different industries.

Bricks are something to reuse in construction industry too. If in good condition, bricks can often be reused again in a traditional way or alternatively can be crushed into brick chips and reused this way, as part of landscape material for instance. Plasterboard is a 100% recyclable material. It can be reprocessed and reused again. Crushed concrete can also be reused, as an aggregate for instance. Rubber can be recycled or it can also be reused as a DIY material. It is worth remembering that if we do not personally want to reuse some of the materials in a particular way, we can always find someone who will.

Out of a long list, plastic is probably one of the most problematic materials to be reused. There are many trying to find ideas and solutions to the plastic problem. One of the plastic biggest issues is the fact that there are so many different kinds of it, that not all can be recycled in the same way, therefore, trying to reduce its use is probably our best option. We can reuse what is possible, recycle as much as possible and keep looking for experts’ advice on alternative solutions.

Christmas is behind us now and New Year has already started. In 2020 we can respond in a positive way by implementing the tactic of three R’s and not only in the construction industry. New Year gives us the opportunity to reflect and to undertake steps towards a future of reduced waste.

By KC Cabin Solutions Trends 0 Comments

Waste and Recycling

Waste is a major subject in the centre to overcoming environmental issues. We buy, we use, we consume and we discard. This process creates a lot of waste. Global anti-waste campaigns, when discussing this subject, use abbreviation RRR, which stands for Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. According to the campaigns, the three R’s need to be acted upon fast in order to save the environment. It is a call to governments, manufacturers and consumers.

At the same time, as a response, more voices are rising against recycling recently. Voices of people who are starting to doubt the benefits of the processes in use. As an example of their concerns, you will hear about dishonest businesses who, under the recycling label, are simply moving waste from one country to another. Furthermore, the concerns are raised regarding the subject of cities and countries who, because of unsuitable recycling processes in use, are not saving enough energy and wasting more than it is necessary. Similarly, also because of unsuitable equipment many recyclable materials cannot be recycled properly or at all.

Based on the above arguments, it becomes clear, why people are starting to doubt the benefits of recycling and are opposing it altogether as well as claiming recycling to be generating more problems than solving.

Recycling does in fact need urgent improvements, in many areas across the globe, it needs improvement particularly if we want to have a real positive impact. Does this give us the right to claim it’s better not to recycle at all though?

If we focus on all three R’s discussed at the top of this article, we may prove to have more influence on the subject of waste than we anticipate. Many reducible/reusable/recyclable materials can be found widely in stores, factories, households, construction sites and more. Anti-waste/recycling arguments, discussed above, often simplify the subject of waste focusing on Recycling alone – its faults but not improvements. Mostly pointing to negatives without giving solutions. Forgetting about the other two R’s is limiting our options, while many people can also Reduce and Reuse. There is enough information about the subject of recycling to realise that even with current, far from perfect processes in use, we are still better off with recycling than without it. As David Attenborough said in a documentary titled Blue Planet II, “Surely we have a responsibility to care for our blue planet”. A combination of reducing, reusing and recycling by both consumers and manufacturers could be the answer. Alternatives to using materials such as plastic as well as implementing rules and policies on who’s doing it and how it’s done need to be implemented by the governments. This should include responsibility for reducing/reusing/and recycling not being pushed only to consumers alone but also to manufacturers. This requires public demand. With the right amount of public demand, improvement to recycling processes will happen. Continuing with the belief in three R’s, we will be discussing some of the construction industry materials with the potential to be reduced, reused or recycled in our next article.

By KC Cabin Solutions General Construction • Tips and How To's 0 Comments

Floor Plan

When ordering a portable building, decisions regarding the floor plan could be seen as moments of reality. Moments which are very important as those decisions will impact long term use of the building. It is lovely to have the freedom to choose where things are in the space. At the same time though, it may turn out, that there are certain restrictions that may have not originally been anticipated by our clients. Restrictions which may affect choices regarding the floor plan. Examples of those could be building control requirements or local council stipulations. Those restrictions may mean that as exciting as it sounds, choosing a floor layout can also be a difficult endeavor.

There always is a way forward. A more complicated solution may be more costly. Knowing what is quicker and easier often opens up a way forward. We can then look at the floor plan with excitement realizing that we are in fact free to guide the designs as we want them and our imagination will flourish.

The first advice which we could give regarding the floor plan is to think of the building as a long-term investment. Buying a building equals spending money. Using a building has a real physical impact on the daily life and work of our clients and their employees. This means it is better to think long-term when investing money in the building. This way we will make sure that the money we spent is well invested. Thinking long-term may also save us some money in the long run. It is worth asking ourselves some questions; Do I know what will I want to do with that building in two years’ time? Maybe I will want a larger building? If so, it might mean, two years down the line I will be in the process of selling this building and buying a bigger one. If that is the case, maybe it is worth considering making the current order slightly larger straight away? It may be that just 1- or 2-meters larger unit may save us money in the long run. Are there any other long-term solutions I may want to consider?

Additional advice would be regarding the use of the building. As mentioned above, building control, as well as local council, will have their requirements, and those may have an effect on the building plans in one way or another. Requirements will have a lot in common for similar business types. It is, therefore, worth to know a bit about requirements relevant to your business type. Similar regulations will be relevant to food providers as opposed to beauty salons. It is important to know if clients will be entering the premises or whether only employees will be working in the space etc. Other types of requirements may be relevant to localization of the building. Knowing more about regulations will help to avoid last-minute changes to the plans.

KC Cabins helps with advising on the above but it is also important to consult building control and local council. When acquiring a building, clients are waiting in anticipation for its arrival. With a bit of knowledge on the above, the decision process regarding the floor plan can be a simple and very much exciting process. We are here to help.

By KC Cabin Solutions Design 0 Comments

Harmony

It is difficult to describe in one sentence what harmony means and how harmony is created. When thinking of harmony in design, harmony is often associated with symmetry, and yet not only symmetry creates harmony. According to a number of dictionaries, ‘harmony’ could be described as a state of peaceful existence while ‘harmony synonyms’ include ‘peace’, ‘balance’ and ‘compatibility’. In fact, those three words are some of the best to describe harmony creation. In design, through balance and through compatibility we can create peace and we can create harmony.

How do we decide on balance and compatibility though? Balance can be achieved in a number of ways; this includes the use of both symmetry and asymmetry as well as the use of light and colour. For the purpose of this article, we are looking at images focusing on composition and general shapes within.

We could distinguish shapes which are balancing each other by looking at each photograph at a time. We can analyse shapes in the images by reading the photos looking at them from left to right as if we are reading a page of a book. Comparing both sides of the photograph reveal information about the composition. It reveals which shapes are being used to balance each other and to balance the composition.

Images we see display harmonious shapes and composition. Those images evidence both symmetrical and asymmetrical elements being used in order to create harmony. What balances asymmetrical composition? What makes the elements of those compositions compatible enough to produce the feeling of peace?

In one of the image examples at the top, we can see a heavy, bold and energic shape of a bridge balanced by a vague, continuous, horizontal line of this same bridge disappearing in the distance. In other images, we see mainly one bold symmetrical shape combined with asymmetrical elements such as clouds or building reflections. Light reflections enhance the softness of the image and therefore add to the harmonious composition. Soft light and soft colours are used to create a feeling of peace.

Overall, we see images balanced with shapes, colours and light within.

Balance and compatibility are crucial in order to create peaceful images. With the right use of composition elements enhanced by the right colours and light, we will achieve harmony in the design. In order to find out how to do it, we look around and learn from what we see.

By KC Cabin Solutions Design • General Construction 0 Comments

Story of a garage

Portable buildings are commonly used as offices and houses and are therefore associated with those type of buildings, although there are many other potential uses to portable structures. Our buildings have been used as a laboratory, dog grooming, barbers, vape shops, beauty studio, car renting, ice cream café, dry cleaning and more. Our buildings have also been used as a garage. And let’s face it, not everyone will see a garage as an exciting investment.

Still, a simple standard garage has its allure, maybe more practical than exciting to some, but hey, practicality is awesome. Imagine, finally having a designated space for your car and add to that some storage for tools, spare tires, etc. Give it a nice, contemporary design. How exciting upgrade to your house would that be?

Another example of an exciting garage could be a car repairs service, which is a lot more complicated story in comparison to a standard garage. Designed to accommodate sales office, workshop, and equipment which includes car storage, space designated for car repairs and potentially more. We work by adapting to accommodate your needs. A car repairs service garage would be larger and more complicated building. Definitely an exciting story.

Coming back to a general idea of a standard size garage. There are some important factors to remember when considering its dimensions. In order for you to be happy with the daily use of such structure, we cannot stress enough when we say, consider how much space you need. A garage does not only have to be large enough to fit your car in. Space to comfortably get in and out of your car needs to be considered. If you want to, add storage space for potential cabinets with tools, some space for spare tires, lawnmower, bikes and anything else you may think of. You could also consider adding a small window for some natural light.

Taking into account all the above, you will be a lot happier in the long run. A garage may turn out to be the most exciting practical space you have ever decided to invest in. Therefore, we believe, a garage is an exciting story.

By KC Cabin Solutions FAQ • General Construction 0 Comments

Assembling Modules

One of the many frequent questions we get from our clients is in regards to the practicality of the size of our buildings. What is the best size, most economical solution, the best way of assembling modules together, etc? We, therefore, sometimes advise on changes to the building dimensions and/or changes to the floor plan. This is in order to help our clients to undertake more economical decisions regarding building purchase.

We, therefore, decided to shed some light on the idea of connecting modules together. In order to find the simplest possible way of describing the process, we are showing the building assembly in pictures. The example shown is a laboratory, one of our orders in the UK.

In the building industry, you grow every step of the way. The more you learn the better your knowledge and service. Specially designed building joints, a result of many years of tests and gathering experience are in use here. The steel structure is connected together. Wall panels are connected to the structure with the use of specialist construction screws. In order to strengthen the connection and in order to protect the building from damage resulting from meteorological conditions we also use a professional sealant. Sealants are particularly important to use when joining the roof. Additionally, to protect the roof, we use a membrane. This gives an additional water protection layer.

Assembling modules together is often surprising to our clients from an aesthetical point of view. Visually, the neat connection, of assembled modules, is hard to detect. You may have been wondering as to the technicality of the process and the general idea of how it’s made.

It’s not that complicated when you think about it. As you can see, the general idea is simple. It is perfecting the methods in use that is important knowledge. Connection areas which could potentially be visible are hidden with the use of decorative panels, resulting with an aesthetically pleasing contemporary look. Years of practice is letting us deepen the technical knowledge which in return help us to give you a better service and a better product.

By KC Cabin Solutions Design 0 Comments

Arches, Spheres and Waves

In one of our recent articles, we have been discussing George Nelson as part of our ongoing series on the subject of Prefabrication History. George Nelson was an American architect, writer and designer who wrote extensively on the subject of design. In his book titled How to See (1977) Nelson would advocate the subject of looking at images to be separate to learn discipline. We would like to take this idea of learning to look as a starting point of a new series to introduce to this blog. This series will be focused on physically looking at buildings/images in order to learn more about architecture and related subjects.

Today we would like to discuss images of arches, spherical shapes and waves in relation to the field of construction, as part of our own pursuit of deepening our ability to look.

Arches have been in use in architecture for more than two thousand years. Used in many forms throughout history and today, construction of arches presses the weight outwards hence they are durable and strong. The use of arches is not only advantageous because of their durability and strength, arches are also aesthetically beautiful. The use of arches has become widespread with the Roman Empire and extensively used in order to build aqueducts and bridges. But arches were used earlier than that. Greeks and Romans adapted the use of arches from Etruscans. We could go back even further into the history but instead, we are going to stop here as we will be focusing our attention on arches as part of a group of shapes and objects. However beautiful, today, we are not only thinking of arches but also of spheres, curves, and general shape of a wave in architecture. Let us take a break from art history and focus on the images and structure.

Looking at curves gives our eyes a rest, a non-broken fluidity of information. When looking at an arch or a curve, in an architectural form, our sight is reaching a pause from busy surroundings. We are taken on a route through physical space which is soft and delicate. For our eyes, it is an equilibrium.

A spherical shape in architecture is a symmetrically perfect never-ending curve. Do we look at it as a whole? How do we respond to a spherical shape? We could think of a sphere’s resemblance to the sun and the stars or its use in Hellenistic temples. We could also look at its use in contemporary architecture for its simplicity and its geometrical form. And we would be closer in finding the answer to the question of a connection between an arch, a wave and a spherical shape. We want to look at the images and find this connection. The connection between those aesthetical forms. Equilibrium and softness of those shapes could be part of the answer.

Visually both a sphere and an arch are elegant and harmonious shapes. Spheres, waves and curves can also appear futuristic depending on the context of use, materials used and other shapes accompanying the overall form. Sizes and quantities of those shapes play a big role in how we perceive the overall object.  

On the photographs, these forms can be appreciated not only for the architecture but also for the composition. The circles and lines and their positioning are in the essence of forming the elegance in composition. The symmetry or asymmetry of their positioning is crucial. If we look attentively at those lines and curves, we are starting to notice more – we notice the complexity and depth of the form. We notice the elegance. The softness of arches, spheres and waves, when positioned well, next to a perfectly strict line, is the start of a good architectural design. We will continue this subject in another article.

By KC Cabin Solutions Company 0 Comments

Petite Buildings

We receive diverse requests for our buildings, varying greatly from one to another. An example could be a warehouse which requires an order of a large building, it could be a medium-sized office building, a reception area which may vary in size, it could also be a security lodge or kiosk which would most likely require a petite building. Therefore, our designs vary in order to accommodate clients’ needs not only aesthetically but also practically. Our buildings’ sizes are strictly adapted to clients’ requirements. Accommodating clients’ needs regards, of course, a variety of solutions regarding the building interior as well. Some clients may simply require an empty shell of a building while others will have a specific request regarding, for instance, the number of rooms, floor finish, and presence of certain equipment inside the building such as toilet or kitchen for instance.

When a client decides to choose a petite structure instead of a larger one, his/her decision may be partially based on one or more basis. It can be that the petite structure fits the type of building they want or it may be that the client doesn’t have a necessity for a large structure and simply wants to save some cash. Often though, this decision is simply dictated by the lack of space on the potential building site. Whatever the reason for having to order a petite structure, doing so may be a challenging endeavour. Even though the building is petite, the client still expects it to fulfill a number of needs. It is physically more difficult to fit the necessary equipment to a smaller structure and sometimes either compromise or a unique solution is needed.

The examples of the two buildings we are showing today are both aesthetically pleasing and practically fulfilling needs of our clients, proving that petite buildings can be beautiful and practical as much as a larger structure.

Yes, fulfilling practical needs may be a challenge and yet, in most cases, it is doable. We are here to advise on possible solutions. Petite buildings can and will perform a practical role fitting in more practical solutions that you may originally expect. We are here to advise on those.

By KC Cabin Solutions Trends 0 Comments

Revolutionary Architecture

Architectural approaches and trends are constantly changing as architects keep striving for innovation. Clients’ needs, technological advancement, political and economic circumstances or even extreme weather conditions keep influencing architectural solutions worldwide. As a modular building supplier, we believe in portable or modular, prefabricated buildings, to be one of the most innovative architectural forms fulfilling contemporary needs and trends. Hence, we spend a lot of time and energy to perfect our products further.

Particularly interesting architectural projects often evolve from marrying unexpected solutions between various fields, such as for instance Botanical Architecture. As we are all well aware of, one of major problems of today is air pollution. We would like to discuss an architectural example performing particularly important role by addressing air pollution and sustainability. Architects around the world are looking for various solutions to these issues and Stefano Boeri Architetti studio does that with great effects. As part of Boeri project, Tirana Master Plan, the aim is to build sustainable tower building for residential purposes. The idea of city reforestation is in the heart of this project. Tirana Master Plan is a larger project which will includes raising residential tower building, in Tirana, Albania. This architectural plan uses similar solutions to another project by the same studio, called Vertical Forest, already built successfully in Milan. Tirana residential tower building will combine thousands of plants and shrubs as well as hundreds of trees. All the greenery will be planted around the tower building terrace areas and in its architectural form it will result in the modern hybrid look of a tower fused with plants, as if a giant architectural tree appeared in an urban environment. Enhancing this modern futuristic design, will be a substantial number of windows.

The project has been designed with detailed analysis of plants in use, taking into account irrigation, positioning and type of plants in order to create sustainable microclimate and the best possible conditions for the plants in use.

More architects and more architectural plans are looking into sustainable solutions as a response to current issues with our natural world. Is this how our future cities will look like, full of sustainable architecture and greenery? It is definitely a great start to finding solutions to some of major problems of today. We will be discussing more revolutionary architecture in our future articles.