Ajith Varikuti, a 15-year-old innovator from North Carolina, has embarked on a remarkable journey to address the pressing challenges of climate change and housing resilience. Driven by a passion for problem-solving and armed with self-taught 3D modeling skills, Varikuti has designed a revolutionary modular home capable of withstanding the devastating forces of category-four hurricanes. His remarkable achievement garnered him the $10,000 grand prize in Autodesk’s 2024 Make it Resilient student contest, a testament to his ingenuity and dedication.
Varikuti’s journey began during the COVID-19 pandemic, a period of enforced isolation that sparked his exploration of Tinkercad, a free web-based 3D design program. Captivated by the program’s potential, he diligently honed his skills, transitioning from the basic functionalities of Tinkercad to the complexities of professional-grade Autodesk software like Fusion and Revit. This self-directed learning process became the foundation for his ambitious project – designing a home that could withstand the harsh realities of coastal living in North Carolina’s Outer Banks, a region increasingly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
Recognizing the vulnerability of traditional homes in the Outer Banks to hurricane-force winds and coastal flooding, Varikuti envisioned a modular housing system that offered both resilience and adaptability. His design incorporated a flat roof to minimize wind uplift, a large open area beneath the second floor to reduce wind pressure, and an unenclosed deck to allow gusts to pass through. The modular design also allowed for the home to be 3D-printed in separate components, transported to the building site, and then assembled, offering the added advantage of disassembly and relocation further inland as shorelines erode.
To ensure the structural integrity of his design, Varikuti rigorously tested the model using Finite Element Analysis software, simulating the impact of 150-mile-an-hour winds. He also sought professional guidance from Moustafa El-Sawy, a structural engineer at AECOM, who provided valuable insights and helped refine the foundation design to account for frost depths and enhance stability. This collaborative approach, combining youthful innovation with expert knowledge, resulted in a robust and resilient housing solution tailored to the specific environmental challenges of the Outer Banks.
Varikuti’s success in the Autodesk competition underscores the significance of his innovation. The Make it Resilient contest, open to students aged 13 to 21 across the US and Canada, challenged participants to leverage Autodesk software to create affordable and resilient housing solutions. Varikuti’s winning design not only met but exceeded the competition’s criteria, demonstrating the potential of 3D printing and modular design to revolutionize the construction industry and address the growing need for climate-adaptive housing. The $10,000 prize is not just an acknowledgment of his achievement but also an investment in his future endeavors.
Following his victory, Varikuti has expanded his initial design, developing three additional interchangeable modules to offer greater flexibility and customization options for future homeowners. This evolving modular system envisions a catalog of components that can be combined in various ways to create unique homes tailored to individual needs and preferences. This adaptability extends beyond initial construction, facilitating future renovations, additions, and modifications, thereby promoting a sustainable and adaptable approach to housing.
Looking ahead, Varikuti aims to pursue a career in engineering, further developing his skills through professional internships and continuing to refine his climate-resistant home designs. He is committed to translating his innovative concept into a tangible reality in North Carolina, with plans to present his designs to home builders in the Outer Banks region. His unwavering dedication to addressing the challenges of climate change and providing resilient, affordable housing sets a powerful example for aspiring young innovators and underscores the potential of technology to create a more sustainable and secure future.
