Building and Surrounding Environment
Construct and dismantle at unprecedented speed using the most affordable materials and simplest methods. This project emphasizes efficiency: the cheapest materials, the simplest construction techniques, and the fastest build and dismantling times.
Note: This is the first time an English explanation has been added to this project page. Due to system limitations, some English words may appear disconnected. Please interpret accordingly; improvements will be made over time. We apologize for any inconvenience.
This spatial prototype is a basic living-scale device: a 3m × 3m × 3m cubic structure. It was built within six hours, exhibited for 48 hours, and dismantled in three hours.
Project Video
The cube “floats” 300mm above the ground, supported by 400mm-thick double-layer wooden walls arranged in a windmill pattern. Four 600mm-wide openings at each corner allow entry from any direction. A 1m-high, 600mm-wide folding steel table stands at the hollow center of the cube. On its corroded tabletop rests a blank notebook, illuminated by a skylight above.
Cube in Rain
Cube Interior Space
Step inside this floating house, pause, and gaze around. Pick up a pen and write down your thoughts or memories in the moment.
As night falls, the cube lights up, transforming into a glowing lantern.
Cube Night View
Cube Night View Elevation
Cube Interior Night View
The cube’s construction is a lightweight, fully prefabricated assembly experiment. All materials are factory-prefabricated and recycled standardized products, including galvanized steel pipe scaffolding (50mm diameter, 2.25mm wall thickness) providing main structural support, 1m × 1m standard recycled wooden pallets used as walls, 10mm-thick polycarbonate panels as outer surface coating, and steel grating for the hollow floor.
A construction team of 3–5 people completes assembly and dismantling. All materials fit into a single 4.2m box truck for transport and are fully reusable.
Exploded View of Structure
Wood Base Plate and Polycarbonate Panel
Steel and Wood Details
Corner Details
Step Details
The system’s advantages include a simple, clear construction process with 100% standardized prefabricated components, lightweight design, universal accessibility, low construction difficulty, rapid assembly, and affordable cost. This adaptability allows the building to be erected anywhere and configured for multiple functions.
The building’s volume and spatial scale can be flexibly adjusted to user needs. Hollow walls and roofs can be insulated and accommodate plumbing and electrical systems. The wooden pallets are fireproofed and treated against corrosion for durability and easy replacement. Both interior and exterior surfaces can use local materials, with various enclosure options for waterproofing and windproofing. Doors and windows are flexibly placed based on site conditions, prevailing winds, and solar orientation to optimize natural ventilation and daylighting.
Axial View
This construction system offers unlimited expansion potential, providing sturdy and durable spaces for emergency response and rapid reconstruction after natural disasters. It is suitable for temporary housing, field hospitals, health facilities, municipal services, small outdoor tourism spots, and spiritual retreats for meditation and solace—demonstrating the unique social value of lightweight prefabricated buildings.
Urban Setting
Forest Setting
Wilderness Setting
Physical architecture may fade, but something always remains in the heart.
Design Drawings
Plan
Elevation View
Section Diagram
Project Information
Project Name: Memory House – A Lightweight Prefabricated Construction Experiment
Project Type: Building/Installation
Location: Longhui 1910 Cultural and Creative Industry Park, Haidian District, Beijing
Design Agency: China Construction Engineering Design / Yuan Ye Architects Studio
Architects: Yuan Ye, Matteo Mariano
Exhibition: 2020 Beijing Design Week
Support: Xishan Innovation Design Federation, Haidian District
Materials: Galvanized steel pipe, recycled wood pallets, polycarbonate sheets, galvanized steel grating
Weight: 1100 kilograms
Cost: 10,500 RMB
Status: Built
Design Date: September 20, 2020
Construction Date: September 22, 2020
Land Area: 9 square meters
Building Area: 9 square meters
Construction Company: Lingchuang Future (Beijing) Construction Co., Ltd
Construction Manager: Tang Wusi
Photography: Lv Bo
Video: Li Run
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