Your questions about SAM, answered

The SAM modules do not have a fixed design, which makes them unique. SAM is a modular system with no fewer than 35 flexible cabinet modules, in which all utilities (kitchen, bathroom, heating, ventilation, water, electricity, and furniture) are integrated. SAM therefore allows for a complete separation between the structure of a building and its utilities, which is very advantageous for the redesign of a building and its recycling at the end of its life.

Architects can use the Smart Adaptable Modules (SAM) to design a huge range of homes and spaces: student rooms, studios, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments, and even entire modular homes and offices. Bao Living finally offers builders and architects the opportunity to implement prefab techniques on a large scale in their construction projects, in a flexible, high-quality, and environmentally friendly way.

SAM offers excellent flexibility thanks to its modular system of 35 adaptable cabinet modules, which integrate all utilities such as kitchen, bathroom, heating, ventilation, water, electricity and furniture. This makes it possible to easily adapt SAM to various project layouts and existing buildings without the need for major changes to the building plans.

Although SAM can adapt well to various designs, it is ideal to include the system as early as possible in the design process. This ensures that the benefits of SAM can be used optimally and that the system seamlessly connects to the project.

When it comes to creativity, SAM offers plenty of room for innovation. Architects can configure the Smart Adaptable Modules (SAM) themselves in SketchUp, endlessly experimenting with different layouts and finishes. Our comprehensive SAM Catalogue includes hundreds of finishing options, giving designers the freedom to create unique and customized solutions.

For the production of domestic hot water, and in line with our sustainability mission, we prefer a collective system when multiple units are involved. This means there is one central installation that supplies hot water to all housing units. This approach is more efficient and more sustainable. However, if an electric boiler per unit is desired, we can provide that option as well.

SAM consists largely of custom-made joinery, produced in a controlled environment. This means that we can produce the modules, including utilities, under the best possible conditions without sacrificing quality.

On traditional construction sites, the installation takes place in far less perfect conditions. In classic construction, building owners take into account a margin of error of no less than 10% percent. By using SAM, that percentage is drastically reduced.

The sanitary drain lines must be extended up to the shaft. We then take care of the final connection to the actual drainage points. The sanitary supply lines should be routed through the shaft with an extra length of approximately 2 meters.

The integration of lights, wiring, and power outlets within the SAM modules depends on the type of SAM and the specific dwelling in which it is installed. For smaller living areas, such as city apartments and student rooms, all lighting and outlets can originate directly from the module itself. For larger living areas, additional outlets will need to be provided elsewhere in the space. We offer various solutions to make this as minimally invasive as possible, such as installing wireless switches.

Once we receive the final design, which can be provided by the owners, the architect, or in collaboration with the Bao Living design team, the average production time is 13 weeks. The sooner we get involved in the construction process, the better.

On average, the installation per unit only takes 3 to 5 days. This is considerably faster and more consistent than traditional construction methods, where we are not dependent on weather conditions or other external factors.

The cost of SAM varies based on various factors, such as the size of the SAM, the quantity of the order, the devices chosen, and the desired level of finish.

Although SAM's price is competitive compared to traditional construction methods, SAM offers significant advantages in terms of execution time, finishing, and space savings. This usually makes SAM much cheaper than conventional construction methods. For more detailed information about price estimation, please visit our SAM Design Studio.

Regarding the placement of SAM in relation to the floor finish, this can be done either before or after. If a tiled floor is being installed, we recommend laying it before installing SAM. This is more efficient and easier for all parties involved. When using a vinyl floor finish, we advise installing it after SAM has been placed, as vinyl flooring tends to settle after the module is installed.

Please note that floor finishing is not included in our scope of work.

The return price that we guarantee applies to materials that are returned correctly. The customer is responsible for cleaning the repurchase materials prior to delivery to the Bao Living storage facility.

Remaining value items:

• steel - no contact - TECE: 50% of the contract price
• steel - well contact - shower tray: 25% of the contract price
• brass - faucets: 50% of the contract price
• KS - exposed - walls, shower screen, pipework: 20% of the contract price
• MS - unexposed - proposition: 20% of the contract price
• porcelain - sanitary porcelain appliances: 25% of the contract price
• chipboard - furniture: 10% of the contract price

Conditions:

• The materials must be free of any remains of fasteners or similar elements.
• The materials must be cleaned and in a proper condition.
• The materials must be undamaged. Defects are reviewed upon delivery to Bao Living, and the residual value will be adjusted accordingly if necessary.
• Packaging materials may be used for transport, but their removal and return are within the responsibility of the customer.

The guaranteed return price applies to materials that are correctly returned. The customer is responsible for cleaning the materials prior to delivery at our storage facility.

Residual value:
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When returned after first use, we insure a residual value of at least 10% of the purchase price.
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Conditions:
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• The materials must be free of any remains of fasteners or similar elements.
• The materials must be cleaned and in a proper condition.
• The materials must be undamaged. Defects are reviewed upon delivery to Bao Living, and the residual value will be adjusted accordingly if necessary.
• Packaging materials may be used for transport, but their removal and return are within the responsibility of the customer.

The larger the building and the more units of the same type are produced, the faster we can manufacture and install them. This results in faster delivery times, lower production costs, and reduced follow-up.

SAM provides an answer to urbanization and the challenge of efficiently managing smaller living spaces without compromising quality of life. In fact, SAM adds value to these spaces. The system is suitable for various applications, including apartments, renovations, new builds, timber construction, and masonry construction.

SAM is particularly effective in smaller living spaces such as urban apartments, care homes, student apartments, and office spaces being converted into residential projects. In these contexts, SAM can create up to 24% more usable living area. Additionally, SAM also offers advantages for offices and modular homes.

Central utilities: By concentrating all utilities in one central location, SAM reduces the materials, pipes, and cabling required. This ensures a more efficient use of resources and less waste.

Sustainable use of wood: The wood used for the SAM modules is FSC certified, which means it comes from sustainably managed forests or is recycled. In cooperation with GoForest we plant two trees back for each tree cut. More information about this can be found on our sustainability page.

Maximum recyclability: By producing the modules in one workshop, all materials can be recycled optimally, minimizing waste.

Avoiding waste: The traditional method of installing pipes, which involves cutting into the structure of a building, is eliminated with SAM. This saves hundreds of kilograms of waste per home.

End of life cycle: At the end of the life cycle, the installed techniques can be easily recovered, reused, replaced or recycled.

We offer various finishing options for our cabinet modules and bathroom walls. As with all custom-made joinery, the possibilities are endless and will largely depend on the available space and your budget.

The basic SAM is a fully equipped installation with all necessary facilities. For those with a larger budget, more exclusive materials and combinations are available. More details about this can be found in our SAM Catalogue.

In the bathroom, the walls formed by our SAM cabinets are finished with HPL panels of the same quality as the cabinet fronts. The color of this is freely selectable. Our showers consist of a waterproof Kerdi plate, on which our shower wall panels are placed. Here you can choose between a PVC wall panel or Resopal.

In addition, we offer a circular option: a shower panel made from recycled material. More information about this can be found on page 65 of our SAM Catalogue. Visible structural walls in the bathroom are not finished by us; we recommend finishing these walls prior to installation.

We offer inspection and flow measurement as optional services, as it may be more cost-effective to carry these out together with other inspections in the building.

Depending on the amount of technical equipment that needs to be integrated (such as ventilation system C or D, electric boiler, etc.), 1 or 2 cabinets in the unit will be used for this purpose. The cabinets closest to the technical shaft will be used. Thanks to this approach, we can always create a significant amount of additional living space.