Domino Evolving Housing - Make It Modular Design Challenge

The Goals of This Project

Domino housing focuses on a few principles: flexibility, adaptability, transportability, and reusability.

Each Domino unit is made up of 5 or 6 modular framing components that can be quickly assembled or disassembled for simple transport or modification. The components to produce a Domino can be produced on site or shipped from another location. With the exception of the roof component, all Domino framing components are constructed flat. When stacked in the optimal configuration, all the components needed to build a single domino can be compacted down into a 20ft long by 9ft wide by 57in tall space. With roof components interlocked and all components stacked end to end, a semi truck could easily accommodate enough components to build 8 Domino units with plenty of room for other cargo!

Domino is intended to be an ideal living solution for every environment. The components needed to build a Domino structure are designed to require as little complex machinery and precise measurement to construct as possible. In fact, an entire Domino can be constructed without using power tools or heavy machinery, and all framing components can be built by adhering to a few simple rules and measurements. Domino housing can be used with a wide variety of insulation materials, interior and exterior sheathing materials, flooring materials, and roof materials, allow it to be customized for a variety of locations and needs.

Every Domino is designed to be a fully functional habitat on its own, but is also capable of being interconnected with others over time to form larger and more complex structures. What begins as a small one-bedroom home for a young couple can grow over time without requiring any serious renovation or demolition. Due to Domino's clever plumbing an electrical design, the utilities can stay on even when a wall is down. Windows and doors can be easily added after construction without cutting through any framing in the walls. The modular design of Domino makes it possible for substantial additions and renovations to be done by homeowners in the course of a day. By linking Dominoes together, new bedrooms and living space can be added to a home as owners increase their income and their needs expand. And once a Domino or group of Domino is no longer needed, it can be broken down into each of its component parts—all of which can be reused in another Domino structure.

Why Domino?

The name Domino refers to the ability to combine the smaller Domino Units into a larger structure in a variety of orientations through different connection points. The number of unique structures I developed during the design process reminded me of the way a sprawling maze forms from a single tile in a game of Dominoes.

About Me

I'm an aspiring architect who finished my senior year in high school working on this competition and a long term Autodesk fanatic. As a member of my local ACE team I've specialized in developing unique structural designs, sustainable building practices and components, creative reuse of materials, and minimizing negative environmental impact for the entirety of a structure's lifecycle.

Software and Design Methods

The Domino design was produced entirely using Autodesk software. All internal components were designed, modeled, and converted to drawings using AutoCAD, all example floor plans, renderings, and other components were made in Revit, and all concept art and other visuals were created in Sketchbook. The 3D printed models were exported and converted to .stl format directly from the AutoCAD files, sliced in PrusaSlic3r, and printed in PLA plastic on a Prusa Mini at 1/40th scale.

How Domino Works

All Domino housing pods are made up of four wall units, a ceiling unit, and may include a floor or roof unit depending on the foundation below it and the orientation of the surrounding modules.

Each Domino Pod measures 8ft (244cm) by 20ft (610cm) including the thickness of exterior walls, and includes approximately 7ft (213cm) by 19ft (579cm) of interior space for approximately 133 square feet of interior space.

Note: these internal dimensions may vary slightly (by fractions of an inch) based on the thickness of interior and exterior sheathing materials

Multiple Pods can be linked together to form larger structures, and additions can be easily made after initial assembly. Adding or removing additional pods is a simple process that allows users to keep the initial structure mostly intact, reducing the length and inconvenience of renovations and allowing the original structure to remain habitable during the process.

Each wall unit features a series of knockout panels that can be removed after the construction of the initial structure, if additional windows or doors are needed in the future, these panels can be removed to add room for a 36in by 36in window, a 36in by 60in window, or a 36in by 80in door. If a door needs to be closed or the size of a window needs to be reduced, the panels can be reinstalled in order to close an opening.

A series of attachment components extending from the top of each wall with hold the exterior sheathing and any veneer materials to the framing. The attachments hold the exterior veneer to the framing and protect the structure from the grip of wind or other lateral forces. However, the panel can be quickly detached by sliding it parallel to the wall, allowing for a wall to be quickly and easily added or removed.

Note: if Domino were to be mass produced I would likely develop my own design for this component that could be shipped to prospective Domino. However, in favor of the flexibility and effective use on a global scale I have provided the simplest possibly way of constructing this component based on availability for purchase or what could be was locally available. Although this design is for a contest, I wanted to make it possible to actually construct a full scale Domino design based on the plans I developed.

Every Domino includes a "Plumbing Wall" that maintains all the water and electrical connections for an individual unit. By containing all of these connects within a single wall, the other wall units can be detached without requiring the expertise of plumbers and electricians or any complex demolition. This makes removing or adding a component as simple as sliding over a sheathing panel and unscrewing two bolts. Seriously! It's that simple!

Now let's get into how you'd actually build this thing!

Materials

Part of the freedom of Domino housing is the ability to construct it a variety of ways using materials you have on hand. Because of this, I've included the quantity of several elements such as insulation that is required but not a specific material, allowing you to customize it based on the materials that are available and affordable to you.

Since the total supply requirements vary based on what design you choose, here I will list all required materials by components. I would personally recommend returning to this section after you have decided on a complete Domino design.

Note: All the framing components of Domino are designed using standard dimension lumber. While the general sizes of all lumber must be maintained (2x4s, 2x6s, and 2x8s), the length can vary based on what is available, as long as the boards are at least 9ft long.

Note: these requirements assume that there is little to no waste

General requirements per Domino:

• 4 - I-bolts (must be 1.5in in length per number of components being attached plus the standard length of a nut for that bolt. For example, if an intersection contains two walls and roof unit for a total of 3 Domino components and the I-bolt uses a 1 inch thick nut, the I-bolt must be at least 5.5in in length)

Note: the minimum I-bolt length necessary will be 3in + bolt length and the maximum will be 7.5in + bolt length

• Assorting screws, nails, or other fasters for construction

Aperture Unit:

• 12 - 3ft 2x4 boards

Plumbing Wall:

• 4 - 20ft 2x6 boards
• 18 - 8ft 2x6 boards
• 2 - 4ft 6x12 boards
• 2 - Aperture Units
• 340 square ft of plywood or other sheathing material
• 170 square ft of vapor barrier
• 170 square ft of selected veneer material
• Approximately 350 cubic ft of selected insulation material
• 40ft 90 degree metal bracket
• 20ft frieze board
• 2 - 9ft corner trim

Secondary Long Wall:

• 4 - 20ft 2x6 boards
• 18 - 8ft 2x6 boards
• 2 - 4ft 6x12 boards
• 2 - Aperture Units
• 340 square ft of plywood or other sheathing material
• 170 square ft of vapor barrier
• 170 square ft of selected veneer material
• Approximately 350 cubic ft of insulation
• 40 ft 90 degree metal bracket
• 20ft frieze board
• 2 - 9ft corner trim

Primary or Secondary Short Wall:

• 12 - 8ft 2x4 boards
• 1 - 4ft 6x12 boards
• For Secondary Unit only: + 1 - 8ft 2x4 board
• 1 - Aperture Unit
• 136 square ft of plywood or other sheathing material
• 68 square ft of vapor barrier
• 68 square ft of selected veneer material
• Approximately 150 cubic ft of insulation
• 16ft 90 degree metal bracket
• 8ft frieze board
• 2 - 9ft corner trim

Roof Structure:

• 4 - 20ft 2x4 boards
• 17 - 9ft 2x4 boards
• 18 - 3ft 2x4 boards
• 240 square ft of plywood or other sheathing material
• Approximately 950 cubic ft of insulation
• 180 square ft of each selected roofing material
• 56ft fascia board
• 20ft metal gutter

Floor Structure:

• 2 - 20ft 2x8 boards
• 2 - 8ft 2x8 boards
• 31 - 4ft 2x8 boards
• 160 square ft of plywood or other sheathing material
• 160 square ft of selected flooring material
• Approximately 750 cubic ft of insulation

Each Domino Pod measures 8ft (244cm) by 20ft (610cm) including the thickness of exterior walls, or includes approximately 7ft (213cm) by 19ft (579cm) of interior space for approximately 133 square feet of interior space. It is possible to produce small but livable home out of a single Domino unit, but combining multiple to form larger structures is where Domino really shines. The nice thing is that Dominos are really easy to manipulate to adapt to your needs! Think of it as building a house out of legos—or dominoes.

Note: these internal dimensions may vary slightly based on the thickness of interior and exterior sheathing materials

An overall Domino design must include at least one Plumbing Wall, a thicker wall containing the majority of plumbing and electrical lines, in order to ensure typical household appliances function as normal. All appliances requiring hot or cold water or water drainage must be connected to this wall.

These appliances include typical kitchen, bathroom, or laundry room appliances such as:

• Bathtubs
• Dishwashers
• Refrigerators
• Showers
• Sinks
• Toilets
• Washing machines

As you can see in the above sample floor plan of a home made from a single Domino unit, all of the appliances requiring a plumbing connection are located on the north wall. The greater thickness is another indicator that this is a Plumbing Wall. This wall also contains the primary electrical connection for the home, excluding appliances such as ovens or dryers that may require specialized floor-based connections. Since the floor would likely never be removed in a Domino's lifespan, this connection point can also be used in some cases for electrical or small-scale plumbing routing without compromising the utility of Domino's modular design.

Determining the right quantity and orientation of Domino units for you depends on your space and utility requirements.

Note: Plumbing walls are double sided. Aligning two Dominos back to back is an excellent way to maximize the amount of area that appliances can be connected to and increase the efficiency of your space.

A plumbing wall is always the largest (20ft wall) that makes up your Domino structure. However, a non-plumbing version (called a Secondary Long Wall) can also be built. This wall is slightly thinner, saving space and materials, and can intersect with other walls to form more complex joins.

Note: each long wall contains two Aperture door/window units located 4ft (to the center of the unit) from the exterior corner of the wall. Each short wall contains one Aperture unit centered along the wall.

Short Walls (8ft) go on either end of a Domino, and come in two versions, identical except for how they attach to other wall components. The Primary Short Wall should be used on your first Domino structure. The Secondary Short Wall exists only two allow multiple Short Walls to intersect, and should only be used when multiple Short Walls are being joined together.

Note: remember that each Domino is made up of two Short Walls and two Long Walls, and four Domino walls can intersect each other, but they must be each be one of the four wall types in order to form a proper join. Be sure to think ahead about how to plan your wall components to make sure your structure works for you

Determining the right quantity and orientation of Domino units for you depends on your space and utility requirements. Having the freedom to design your own perfect home is a lot of pressure, so take the time to figure out what works best for you. However, if things don't work out the way you imagined, don't forget that you can always make changes as you go. That's the great thing about Domino—it grows with you!

Now that you've designed your dream Domino, it's time to get building!

Framing:

Domino's framing utilizes the principle of the interlocking top plates used in typical residential construction to form 90 degree angles and tie intersecting walls together, with the addition of a standardized form and a similar design on the bottom of each wall to allow these intersections to be easily built and taken apart, but also

Each Domino Wall Unit is framed similarly, with often with a few small changes in order to ensure the walls can interlock and stay connected while the structure is inhabited. The attached isometric and dimensioned 2D framing plans for each framing component can be found at the bottom of this step. I've also attached my AutoCAD files if you'd like to make any modifications or examine the framing structures from different angles.

Outlined in red on each wall component is the Aperture unit, a set of 3 rectangular knock-out panels that can be manipulated to form spaces for windows or doors, or simply solid walls. The dimensions and structuring of this unit is outlined in its own AutoCAD model and .pdfs and is also indicated by red lines on any Wall file.

Since it is the use of separate wall components that makes Domino construction unique, rather than any specialized building techniques, I'm not going to detail how exactly to build each one of the wall components at this time. Following the dimensions and design as outlines in the images, .pdfs, and AutoCAD files using traditional building techniques will produce the correct design.

Note: unless otherwise specified, all Domino wall joists are 16in apart on center.

Once the framing on an individual component is complete, you must create the holes for the I-Bolts that will allow them to intersect. Each component includes a series of 8 small (typically 3.5in by 3.5in by 1.5in) extrusions on the very top and bottom of the model in each of the four corners that will allow you to easily align and attach the different components. Example extrusion locations are marked in blue in the last few images connected to this step. In order to ensure proper alignment, simply drill all holes the necessary diameter to accommodate your selected I-bolts (typically 3/4in to 1.5in) through the alignment extrusion 1.75in from the outside edge of the extrusion in both directions (in most cases this will be in the exact center of the extrusion.

Note: there are only 4 alignment extrusions on the roof component. Two of them are located in the corners of the component while the other two are marked by indentations on the edges of the component and one foot from the shortest part of the roof. This setback is necessary in order to create the overhang needed to protect the Domino from water draining off of the edge of the roof. See the last image on this step for more detail.

There's one more step for all Wall components. Attach your 90 degree metal brackets on the top edge of all wall components with the other edge facing down with a gap twice the thickness of your chosen exterior sheathing material plus that of your chosen veneer material. For example, if I intended to construct my Domino with 3/4in plywood and 1/2in HardieBoard, I would need to allow 2in of space between the wall framing and bracket. A visual example is also included in the 3rd to last image on this step, with the bracket marked in pink.

Note: be sure not to cover any of the alignment extrusions with the metal bracket, and make sure to put the bracket on the side furthest from the hole you just drilled on the Plumbing Wall

Exterior Sheathing Panels

Roof:

For the roof, constructing the exterior panels is very simple. Since the roof sheathing will never need to be removed from the framing, this is as simple as installing a normal roof. Simply attach the plywood or other sheathing material to the roof frame with nails or screws and then apply your chosen roofing materials.

Walls:

The exterior wall panels are constructed somewhat similarly to the roof's. However, instead of being attached directly to the wall framing, they will be constructed twice as thick and overlapping one another so the edge of one piece of plywood (or other sheathing material), lines up with the center of the one on the other side. The exterior veneer is then added directly on this surface to form a complete exterior wall, albeit without any framing at this point.

Foundation

A Domino unit can be constructed a 20ft by 8ft slab or crawl foundation. If a crawl foundation is used, a floor components will be required in order to support the wall components. The foundation type and construction in affects the design in no other way however, so I advise you to develop whatever solution makes the most sense for the needs of your area.

Connecting Walls

Once the individual walls have been constructed, assembly is as simple as aligning all the holes you drilled in the previous step perpendicularly on top of one another and inserting an I-bolt through all of the holes. If only two walls are being linked to form a corner, the bolt can be placed through those two and the holes on the roof assembly or floor assembly to lock the walls together. If three walls are interconnecting, then the bolt would be placed through all three walls and the roof component. Now all you have to do is screw the nut on the bolt and your walls will be attached.

Note: if there are any gaps between the interlocking corner pieces, simply fill this hole with a 3.5in by 3.5in by 1.5 piece of wood with a hole for the I-bolt drilled in the center. This piece can then be easily removed if you ever want to attach a new wall component

Note: it is important during this step to ensure that the exterior sheathing attachment pieces are facing toward the exterior of the home when the wall components are assembled.

Exterior Sheathing

The exterior panels are then slid through the attachment pieces parallel to the wall, and the corner trim is added to cover the seam between the two walls. Frieze board may also be used to cover the attachment pieces and the gap where the roof (or second wall component, if the Domino structure is two levels) meets the wall component. An example is shown above, with the bracket market in pink, the exterior panel market in teal, and the corner trim and frieze board marked in orange. Once everything is locked together together and all seams are covered, the bones of your Domino structure should be complete!

Internal Systems and Interior Sheathing

This is the point where the installation of any plumbing or electrical systems should occur. Insulation will be added within the walls, and the framing will be covered from the inside with drywall or the interior sheathing material of your choice.

Congratulations! Your Domino home is complete!

Expanding your Domino design is as simple as building another Domino to your specifications, and performing step 3 in reverse. Simply remove the corner trim, slide over the exterior panel, remove the I-bolt, attach the new wall panel, and then reassemble the new components.

If new doors or windows are required, cut the necessary opening in the interior and exterior sheathing panels and knock out the necessary Aperture panels in the wall components.

With these techniques, it's possible to change exterior materials, add new windows or doors, and add additions to your Domino home in the span of a few hours. And since all Domino structures are built to standard specifications, a no longer needed exterior panel or Aperture panel can be reused in another Domino home.

Here I've taken the time to include the furnished Revit model I created depicting a potential one bedroom home in a single Domino structure, and an unfurnished Revit model demonstrating how several different several interlocking Dominos have been aligned to form a larger home.

Note: these files must be opened in Revit 2020 or newer

Thank you for taking the time to read about Domino Adaptable Housing. I hope that some of the ideas in this Instructable will inspire you as we look towards the exciting future of sustainable, affordable, modular home construction.