Review and outlook: An interview with Kiubo

Kiubo offers an entirely new approach to living in the form of a fully flexible, modular construction system. We spoke to managing directors Hans Schaffer and Florian Stadtschreiber to find out what the company has achieved so far and what lies in store for 2024.

Kiubo started out as a research project conducted by ?WG Wohnbau and Graz-based architectural firm Hofrichter-Ritter. Challenges such as a lack of skilled workers and quality issues on construction sites have long plagued the real estate industry. Sustainable living, smaller residential units and, most importantly, properties that permit flexible and adaptable use are in short supply. Ultimately, people are looking for architectural solutions that offer the flexibility and adaptability we require in modern life. ‘To us, the solution was clear. In order to achieve true flexibility, the shell needs to be separated from the finishings and we need to go back to the drawing board to entirely rethink the notion of houses. We aim to do away with the old, fixed-purpose buildings and open the door for new spaces with flexible use in mind. Following this line of thinking resulted in the creation of our modular units. The concept is nothing revolutionary in itself. Indeed, Le Corbusier introduced a renowned blueprint. We opted for this approach due to all it has to offer in terms of flexibility and multipurpose options,’ explains Florian Stadtschreiber.

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Looking back on what Kiubo has accomplished to date

The initial prototype was successfully completed when the concept was first showcased at the 2021 Biennale Architettura. A one-storey prototype featuring three modules was produced in Pischelsdorf and put to the test until summer 2021. Once this proved to be a success, the demo project was complete. ‘The notion of constructing a frame with slot-in modules has been around for a while, although ?WG was the first company to actually build a house using this method. Kiubo was launched as a brand around the same time,’ explains Hans Schaffer. The first Kiubo residential building has been drawing curious visitors to Starhemberggasse in Graz since October 2021. ‘We’ve certainly attracted a lot of interest. Since 2021, over 600 visitors have paid us a visit at the demo house. Our bold take on housing has gained us plenty of recognition. It’s also won us a few awards,’ adds Stadtschreiber.

Kiubo GmbH was launched back in May 2022, marking the transition from research project to fully fledged corporate enterprise. The young company has continued to grow ever since. Kiubo received several awards in 2022 and 2023, including taking home first prize at the FIABCI Prix d’Excellence Austria 2022, the BIG SEE Architecture Award 2023 and the FIABCI World Prix d’Excellence 2023. Kiubo is always evolving. Both as an innovator and in terms of its building system. This constant striving led to the arrival of Kiubo 2.0 as the successor to Kiubo 1.0. One of the key improvements with Kiubo 2.0 is that the terminals are also flexible. While the terminal used for the demo project in Graz is made from in-situ concrete and therefore fixed in place, the terminal 2.0 is primarily made from prefabricated concrete elements, meaning it can be dismantled and reconstructed. Development of Kiubo 2.0 concluded in 2023.

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What lies ahead for Kiubo in 2024

Projects will move ahead in 2024 and the system and concept will be further optimised and improved. This year will also see the launch of another project involving cellular construction methods, which is scheduled for completion in 2025. A total of 64 modules will be used in the Kiubo 2.0 system in Styria for this project. Three existing modules from the Kiubo building in Graz will also be moved over to the new project to ‘give the modules a third life’, says Stadtschreiber. The modules taken from Graz were first used in the prototype in Pischelsdorf, then relocated to the Kiubo house on Starhemberggasse in autumn 2021, where they have been used as office space for Kiubo. Now they will once again be repurposed at a new location.?

The firm is also currently working on an eco-friendly module to account for the growing importance of regenerative architecture. In line with this, the use of sustainable materials and the way they are combined in order to ensure they can be fully separated in the future are primary points of focus. The new eco-friendly modules will be constructed and tested in the Kiubo house on Starhemberggasse. This will also be the location of the next stage of advancement: Kiubo 3.0. Continuous monitoring will take place for both projects. In addition, Kiubo will be represented at several events, including EXPO REAL 2024 in Munich in October 2024 and the second S?chsischer Holzbautag in April 2024.

Innovation hub – pioneering new ideas and driving innovation

Kiubo is more than just a construction system. It’s an innovation hub, pioneering and promoting innovative ideas. Kiubo works with both local and international experts to research the topic of future living. In order to promote the topic and gain inspiration, Kiubo organises events and participates in external events in various formats. Over the past year, Kiubo was represented at several events and organised a panel discussion on the topic of ‘Think Together: Future Living’ to mark its first anniversary in May 2023. ‘Our aim is to constantly develop the entire concept. We plan to revolutionise future living on various levels as an innovation hub,’ explains Schaffer.?

In summer, the new Kiubo office will open on the ground floor of the building on Starhemberggasse.? ‘When working on the office project, we examined the topic of new work and future workplaces along with their connection to living spaces. In our eyes, the new office is a location for interaction, creativity, transparency and communication. An innovation hub for driving forward the topic of living,’ explains Stadtschreiber.

The Kiubo system has already received several awards. ‘As you would expect, we’re doing our best to capitalise on the attention we have gained. It’s been incredibly beneficial for us so far. As innovators, we come into contact with a vast array of individuals and discuss the future of living with them. The awards have been an excellent indicator that our projects are truly innovative and offer clear solutions to the challenges faced in the residential construction industry. Clearly, we’re on the right path,’ explains Schaffer.

The future of residential construction

According to both Schaffer and Stadtschreiber, modular construction is here to stay. They view it as a mainstay of the future of residential construction. Needless to say, the success of modular construction relies on good quality and occupational safety. The shortage of skilled workers is another contributing factor. However, modular construction offers one major advantage over conventional construction: it takes far less time. ‘At a time when rising interest rates are a major concern, construction needs to pick up the pace. It will happen at some point. Of course, it isn’t possible to predict which form it will take. Kiubo could certainly be a viable answer. We hope it takes off as one of the most popular solutions,’ says Stadtschreiber.??

Targets

A number of targets have been set for the coming years. Most aim to see Kiubo develop and realise as many projects as possible to prove the concept truly works. Aspirations for Kiubo and the future? ‘I think I speak for the both of us when I say we hope to see our innovative and visionary idea take off despite the tough situation in both the construction industry and the market in general,’ explains Stadtschreiber. ‘To me, Kiubo is an urban development concept that holds the answers we require for the future.’

For the German version of the article, please refer to this LINK