# Modular Timber Living Units Create Scalable Architectural Stacks OFIS Arhitekti introduces a versatile wooden modular system for flexible, multi-story urban living. - **Source:** [Yanko Design](https://brifing.si/source/41d28791-ef47-4e0b-a40a-2a5efca0c11b) - **Published:** 2026-11-03 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/d0aabb43-9339-4afa-bb9c-e61d5eb7b556 ## Modular Timber System Design The Living Unit project, developed in 2017, utilizes a repeatable wooden shell measuring 4.5 meters long, 2.5 meters wide, and 2.7 meters high. Designed by OFIS Arhitekti alongside AKT II, these modules accommodate two people with essential amenities like a double bed, wardrobe, and kitchenette, functioning as compact, efficient living spaces. ## Structural Flexibility and Stacking The system allows modules to connect horizontally or vertically, enabling configurations for four to six occupants. By stacking these units into a three-story tower at Ljubljana Castle, the design demonstrates how a single structural vocabulary can adapt to different spatial needs without requiring entirely new construction methods for every unique project site. ## Geometry and Structural Integrity The units feature pointed, truncated pyramid ends with glazing at the tips, which AKT II notes provide extra internal storage while highlighting structural strength. This geometry ensures that even when stacked, the tower reads as a collection of individual, distinct rooms rather than a single, monotonous shaft, enhancing the visual architectural character. ## Prefabricated Frame Construction Behind the exterior silhouette lies a prefabricated timber frame reinforced with plywood boards on both sides. The architects intentionally allow exterior and interior finishes to vary based on the specific project context, ensuring the structural shell remains the consistent element while the aesthetic package remains flexible for diverse environmental or functional requirements. ## Adaptable Ground Connections The system avoids permanent foundations by utilizing steel anchors or removable concrete cubes for ground connections. This adaptability makes the units suitable for temporary installations, such as holiday cabins, research facilities, or tourism infrastructure, allowing for site-specific deployment without the long-term commitment or environmental impact associated with traditional, fixed building foundations. ## Public Program Versatility Beyond residential use, the Ljubljana Castle installation serves as a temporary library, proving the shell's utility for public programs. By organizing books across the levels and utilizing outdoor areas for reading, the project demonstrates how the same modular architecture can shift from private accommodation to a vertical public destination within landscapes. ## Circulation and Spatial Trade-offs Sectional drawings reveal the trade-offs inherent in the tower's small footprint, where compact steps and ladders connect the levels. This makes vertical circulation an active, integrated part of the living experience. While horizontal expansion would eliminate the need for ladders, it would require a larger ground footprint, highlighting the system's spatial choices. ## Core Architectural Proposition The Living Unit’s primary value lies in its ability to repeat a singular room while offering developers the choice of where to allocate extra space. By balancing prefabricated efficiency with modular scalability, the system provides a versatile tool for architects to address varying density needs through simple, repeatable, and structurally sound timber components. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.yankodesign.com/2026/11/03/tiny-wooden-living-units-stack-into-a-three-story-tower/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=tiny-wooden-living-units-stack-into-a-three-story-tower — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._