Case Study Of House Research Articles

The impact of lifespan assumptions in LCA: Comparing the replacement of building parts versus building layers—A housing case study

The circular economy transition of the built environment is of high priority in the EU, a challenge even more pressing in the housing sector. Conceptualising buildings as ensembles of standardised and prefabricated products, which can be separated into both defined building parts or layers is an accepted circular design approach facilitating future replacement and reuse. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a tool for achieving circularity by informing design choices based on predefined lifespans. However, there is conflicting top-down guidance about whether to assume individual lifespans for constituent components or to group these into building layers when carrying out whole building LCAs. This study reviews the latest guidance on building layers and parts according to the European Level(s) framework, ISO 20887 standard for Design for Disassembly and Adaptability, and the Shearing Layers concept. An energy efficient housing case study was used to compare organisation of the Life Cycle Inventory into separate lifespans for components and layers aligned to Shearing Layers, with lifespans defined by Level(s) Indicator 2.1. The study focussed on Module B4 replacements over a 100-year period. The findings reveal that assuming the replacement of building components as opposed to layers results in greater carbon emissions. In both cases, emissions were approximately double the amount of upfront carbon to produce the initial building. These findings demonstrate the importance of lifespan assumptions in LCA, which should be further developed. The study provides an LCA template for practitioners to organise the building inventory and apply lifespan assumptions, improving rationale behind design decisions.

Activity hours: Assessing liveability during heatwaves

As climate change increases the frequency and severity of heatwaves, understanding their impact on the well-being, health, and permissible activities of building occupants becomes crucial. Existing work focuses primarily on the thermal comfort of an average individual, neglecting both the impact of extreme heat on liveability and variability in resilience of different population groups. To address these gaps, we introduce the Activity hours (Ah) metric, which quantifies the liveability of indoor environments during heatwaves while taking into account air temperature, humidity, occupant age, permissible activity levels, and duration of exposure. We also present the Heatalyzer tool that allows the computation of Ah for different geographies, building archetypes, and heatwave durations. Through a case study of residential housing in London, we compare Ah with established thermal comfort metrics, highlighting Ah’s ability to quantify heatwave impacts on occupant liveability for different building types and demographic groups. Our results are made widely accessible through the Heatalyzer dashboard, an intuitive website that enables London residents to evaluate their exposure to heat-related risks.

Alternative forms of housing for longevity based on case studies of multigenerational houses in Poland

The subject of the article is a case study analysis of three experimental projects of multigenerational houses that emerged after 2019 in Polish cities. The author hypothesizes that multigenerational houses represent an alternative form of housing to nursing homes, creating an environment that supports the health and independence of residents of different ages for as long as possible. The purpose of the research conducted is to answer the question of what components of the support system for the elderly are important in the choice and intentional transition to alternative living arrangements and how this relates to multigenerational homes in the cases studied. The research in this article consists of four phases. The first phase examined the institutional and informal approach to organizing care for the elderly in Poland and outlined the components of the support system for the elderly that are necessary for the choice and conscious transition to alternative forms of housing in the aging process. In the second phase, the experience with the governmental program "Multigenerational House" in Germany was analyzed and a multigenerational house was defined. In the third phase, the case study method was used to examine the experience of multigenerational houses built and functioning in Polish cities in recent years: Multigenerational House in Łódź (2019), Multigenerational Housing in Warsaw (2019-2021), Multigenerational House in Wrocław (2020). In the fourth phase, based on the literature review and the analysis of functioning multigenerational houses, a comparative analysis was made and conclusions for further research were drawn.

A Machine Learning Approach to Adapt Local Land Use Planning to Climate Change

The impacts on living conditions and natural habitats deriving from planning decisions require complex analysis of cross-acting factors, which in turn require interdisciplinary data. At the municipal level, both data collection and the knowledge needed to interpret it are often lacking. Additionally, climate change and species extinction demand rapid and effective policies in order to preserve soil resources for future generations. Ex-ante evaluation of planning measures is insufficient owing to a lack of data and linear models capable of simulating the impacts of complex systemic relationships. Integrating machine learning (ML) into systemic planning increases awareness of impacts by providing decision-makers with predictive analysis and risk mitigation tools. ML can predict future scenarios beyond rigid linear models, identifying patterns, trends, and correlations within complex systems and depicting hidden relationships. This article focuses on a case study of single-family houses in Upper Austria, chosen for its transferability to other regions. It critically reflects on an ML approach, linking data on past and current planning regulations and decisions to the physical environment. We create an inventory of categories of areas with different features to inform nature-based solutions and backcasting planning decisions and build a training dataset for ML models. Our model predicts the effects of planning decisions on soil sealing. We discuss how ML can support local planning by providing area assessments in soil sealing within the case study. The article presents a working approach to planning and demonstrates that more data is needed to achieve well-founded planning statements.

Optimizing the Integration of Building Materials, Energy Consumption, and Economic Factors in Rural Houses of Cold Regions: A Pathway

Limited material options and economic conditions significantly restrict the potential for energy efficiency improvements in rural houses in China’s cold regions. It is worth exploring how to propose suitable energy-saving renovation plans for rural houses in cold regions under practical constraints. By using Grasshopper within Rhinoceros 8 software, an algorithm integrates material selection, energy consumption calculations, and economic analysis. The method efficiently generates thermal optimization schemes, providing insights into energy use, costs, and payback periods. In a case study of a typical rural house in Daqing City, the optimized scheme achieved over 70% energy savings compared to traditional homes, with renovation costs amounting to less than 40% of residents’ annual income and a 2-year payback period. This significant improvement highlights the potential of the proposed method in enhancing the energy efficiency and economic viability of rural house renovations.

The Lens of Race: Whiteness and Architectural Photography at Case Study House #22

The Lens of Race: Whiteness and Architectural Photography at Case Study House #22

Literature Review: Analysis of The Presentation of Humanity Conditions: A Case Study of Inherent Houses in Indonesia

This study aims to analyze fire emergency preparedness in Indonesian hospitals through a systematic review of previous studies. Using a systematic literature review method, this study identified and synthesized key findings from related studies. The results showed that fire emergency preparedness in hospitals in Indonesia still needs improvement, especially in terms of emergency response systems, human resource capacity, availability of facilities and infrastructure, and coordination with related parties. Efforts to improve preparedness need to be carried out comprehensively, involving collaboration between hospitals, government, fire department and the community.

Influence of the Geometric Shape of the Courtyard of Traditional Wooden Folk Houses on the Lighting Performance of Their Central Room: A Case Study of the Traditional Folk Houses of the Tujia People in Western Hunan, China

Although traditional Chinese wooden residential buildings have historically adapted to their respective regions, they face challenges in meeting modern living standards, particularly with regard to insufficient indoor natural lighting. This study focuses on three representative Tujia residences: the “L-shaped” dwellings, the “U-shaped” dwellings, and the courtyard residences, with the aim of improving their indoor lighting performance. Using Ecotect 2011 software for computer simulations, the study investigates the impact of altering the geometric shapes of courtyards in traditional wooden residential buildings on the lighting of the central room. The results indicate that, for the “L-shaped” dwellings, the geometric dimensions of the courtyard have little impact on the lighting of the central room. For the “U-shaped” dwellings, the optimal courtyard geometry is achieved with a well index (WI) of 1, balancing residential functionality, economic considerations, and indoor lighting performance. Regarding the courtyard residences, the best results are obtained by minimizing the building height while maximizing the well depth index to 1. Additionally, the study shows that a square layout of 90° ∗ 90° is most favorable for courtyards, effectively balancing lighting performance, functionality, and aesthetics. These findings provide valuable insights for the renovation of existing traditional residences and the design of new buildings, aiming to enhance overall indoor lighting effectiveness.

Domestic, Not Private: Feminine Proposals for Carabanchel PAU Expansion, Madrid, Spain

This paper offers a gender-based analysis of collective space in the domestic realm, beyond privacy, produced in significant social housing case studies in the urban expansion of Carabanchel neighbourhood (Carabanchel PAU, Madrid, Spain). Designed at the beginning of the 21st century, this period involves the incorporation of women into young architectural teams. Thus, this study seeks to delve into the significance of this role through the detailed study of eleven cases. Focussing on the common spaces of housing buildings, these small elements seem to recall the passage from the safe to the unsafe environment, from the space of the reproductive labour to that of the intersectionality. Following this finding, we propose an incipient study of the transitional spaces between the private and the public, where contacts between neighbours and the exchange of care beyond the private sphere are celebrated, as well as the public representation of domestic life. The methodological approach has stablished four meaning aspects to analyse, related to inhabitants’ life and intended as architectural parameters: spaces for neighbourhood flows, both for residents and visitors; areas of activity and leisure, available for resident daily life; connections between these areas of activity and leisure and, finally, connections of the common areas with the dwellings. The aim is to investigate the extent to which the participation of women architects makes these spaces more effective for care giving—or simply, more suitable for the expansion of intimate life and socialisation with neighbours. The results provide optimistic data for the discipline and its capacity, through this type of sensitivity, to correct some of the errors in the system of production of public space.

Integrating space syntax and system dynamics for understanding and managing change in rural housing morphology: a case study of traditional village houses in Düzce, Türkiye

Integrating space syntax and system dynamics for understanding and managing change in rural housing morphology: a case study of traditional village houses in Düzce, Türkiye

Research on the Renewal of Multi-Story High-Density Urban Landscape Based on Property Rights Land—A Case Study of the Self-Built Liu Houses in Zherong, Fujian Province

Unlike in Western countries, land ownership in China is overwhelmingly vested in the state, and individuals cannot directly own private lands and build houses. Therefore, developers will contract the land to the government and build it into collective apartments. Against this backdrop, a different kind of multi-story, high-density self-built residential buildings is widespread in small towns along the southeast coast of China. These buildings were built between 1980 and 2000 by residents who acquired land-use rights from the government for compensation. The uniqueness of these buildings is what makes them incompatible with the most mainstream, government-led urban renewal model in China, resulting in a large area of dilapidated and aging areas. Zherong County, Ningde, Fujian Province, is a typical example town, with a large number of such self-built houses, known locally as Liu Houses. In this study, these residential areas were selected as typical research objects of “characteristics of residential small towns”. Combined with the property rights of the sample cases, the methods of diagram and quantitative analysis are used to summarize the causes of the three types of residential areas from the aspects of regional planning, land division, building construction, and renovation. In the early days, the planning of the Liu House was greatly influenced by the residents, and the construction and renovation of the building was led by the residents, which strengthened the diversity of the style. In the middle period, the government had relatively dominant control over the planning of Liu Houses, and supervision was conducted during the construction and renovation process, resulting in a relatively balanced power between residents and the government. In the later period, the houses were built and operated by the developer, and the residents no longer directly participated in the construction and renovation, so the unity of style was strengthened. At the same time, the study finds that, in the process of the formation of the style of the residential area, on the one hand, the property rights directly affect the style through its own physical land attributes, and on the other hand, it becomes the basis of the game between the government, residents, and the county environment through its own property rights, thus indirectly affecting the style. In conclusion, this paper may provide theoretical support and design reference for the renewal of the characteristic features of residential small towns.

EXPLORING THE POTENTIAL OF VEGETATION STRUCTURES (VS) AND LANDSCAPE ORIENTATION IN MINIMIZING THERMAL PERFORMANCE IN A TROPICAL CLIMATE: A FIELDWORK STUDY

The study investigates the impact of vegetation structure within two landscape orientations on thermal performance, a critical consideration in urban planning and environmental management. Given the increasing concerns about Urban Heat Islands and global warming, understanding how vegetation influences thermal regulation is essential. This research employed a quantitative method through field measurement studies, focusing on two single-storey semi-detached houses namely East Landscape Orientation (ELO) and West Landscape Orientation (WLO) located at Seri Iskandar, Perak Malaysia. The snowball technique was utilized to select the case study houses, ensuring a targeted approach to understanding the effects. Thermal Microclimate Data Logger and Indoor Air Quality Monitor Data Logger were used to measure environmental parameters for thermal conditions, ensuring consistent, reliable, and comprehensive data for analyzing thermal performance in both outdoor and indoor environments. The research findings reveal that the orientation of a house relative to the sun's path significantly impacts its thermal dynamics, with vegetation playing a crucial role in moderating these effects. ELO houses benefit from milder morning sunlight and effective afternoon cooling, while WLO houses experience higher outdoor and indoor temperatures due to intense sunlight and less efficient transpiration by vegetation. Vegetation on the west side provides shade and reduces heat absorption, improving comfort and energy efficiency. Understanding these dynamics can help homeowners and architects make informed decisions about landscape design, enhancing thermal comfort and energy efficiency in homes. This research also contributes to the expanding knowledge base on sustainable urban design by exploring the use of vegetation to enhance thermal performance.

Reducing residential cooling demand in a sprawling desert city through vertical urban densification

Traditional desert cities used a compact urban form since it provides benefits in terms of thermal comfort both in urban and interior spaces. However, many current desert cities have shifted to a sprawling model with isolated low-rise buildings, leading to longer travel distances, increased land use, inadequate public space, and higher demand for building cooling. Our study aims to investigate how vertical urban densification can reduce residential cooling demand in hot-dry regions. To achieve this, we compared single-family houses with high-rise multi-family houses in Hermosillo, Mexico. Eight case studies of real houses were selected, representing the city's building stock, including one- and two-story single-family houses, and high-rise multi-family houses. We use dynamic energy simulations to assess the effectiveness of changing building's shape against improving its insulation. Our results indicate that increasing vertical density leads to a reduction in the envelope-to-volume ratio, resulting in a significant decrease in cooling demand. Moving from a one-story single-family house to a high-rise multi-family house can lead to a 72 % reduction in annual cooling demand. Matching the façade material properties of single-family houses and multi-family houses reduces the cooling demands of the single-family houses by 16 %–31 %. However, they still have higher cooling demands compared to high-rise multi-family houses, suggesting that building form has a greater impact on cooling than thermal insulation. Our findings highlight the substantial energy savings achievable by transitioning from detached single-family houses to high-rise multi-family developments in desert cities.

Examining the Impact of Natural Ventilation versus Heat Recovery Ventilation Systems on Indoor Air Quality: A Tiny House Case Study

Adverse health effects can arise from indoor air pollutants, resulting in allergies, asthma, and other respiratory problems among occupants. Concurrently, the energy consumption of residential buildings, particularly concerning heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, significantly contributes to global energy usage. To address these intertwined challenges, heat recovery ventilation (HRV) has emerged as a viable solution to reduce heating and cooling demands while providing fresh ventilation rates. This study aims to investigate the indoor air quality (IAQ) of an experimental tiny house building equipped with an HRV unit by simulating real-life scenarios contributing to IAQ. The research evaluates the effectiveness of HRV compared to natural ventilation in managing particle matter (PM), total volatile organic compounds (TVOC), formaldehyde (CH2O), carbon monoxide (CO), and carbon dioxide (CO2) levels. This research significantly contributes to the understanding of the different ventilation strategies’ impact on IAQ in tiny houses and offers valuable insights for improving living conditions in a unique building typology that is underrepresented in the research literature.

Partners in crime: Convenience case study of Norwegian publishing cartel

The theory of convenience addresses white-collar and corporate crime. The theory is applied in this article to a case study of Norwegian publishing houses having to pay infringement fees because of competition act violation. Cartel members agreed and coordinated a boycott of a distribution channel. This article reviews the research literature on cartels before presenting the convenience case study. Combatting cartels is a matter of reducing the attractiveness and convenience of joining cartels. Guardianship, oversight, and controls are at the core of reducing deviance convenience. Detection is an element of oversight. However, detection is rare, as this case illustrated by email sent by mistake. Combatting cartels is a matter of control at the top of organizations where typically each chief executive officer (CEO) is involved. Therefore, the corporate compliance officer should never report to the CEO but rather to the chairperson on the board and to the external auditor.

Young families’ space adaptation in subsidized housing case study: Mataram city, West Nusa Tenggara Indonesia

ABSTRACT Indonesia’s 2020 census shows that 25.87% of the population comprises productive working-age millennials in the family-forming phase and demand affordable housing. To aid the low-income class in accessing the housing market, the government provides the Rumah Inti Tumbuh (RIT) or “growing core house” programme. This study examines the young families’ adaptation to utilize the available rooms, using mixed methods of observations, interviews, and architectural records. Study analyses employ the six layers’ theory of [Brand, Stewart. 1994. How Buildings Learn: What Happens After They are Built. New York, NY: Viking] to trace back the incremental process from the early home-making, motivation development, and adaptation strategy of the spatial usages in the post-reconstruction. The study concludes that young families needed to incrementally outmode the forms of provision even in the early occupation. The adaptive solutions gradually blurred the initial design idea provided by the developer. The home-making practices also accommodate daily activities connected with Islamic cultural, social, and intimate spheres.

Embodied Energy Coefficient Quantification and Implementation for an Energy-Conservative House in Thailand

Embodied Energy Coefficient Quantification and Implementation for an Energy-Conservative House in Thailand

The Houses of Hellenistic–Roman Tel Dor: A Study of Domestic Social Practices and Economic Activities

The Houses of Hellenistic–Roman Tel Dor: A Study of Domestic Social Practices and Economic Activities

Reports of my death are greatly exaggerated: The persistence of neoliberalism in Britain

Recent declarations of the end of neoliberalism in the United Kingdom, especially since the Covid-19 pandemic, are underpinned by diffuse and unstructured understandings of the neoliberal state. We argue that state intervention is both necessary and unavoidable under neoliberalism. This article shows that the ‘market-based’ reforms and the ‘rollback of the state’ that overtly characterise neoliberalism are heavily reliant upon public policy and entail an ongoing role for state intervention both over time and across economic sectors. Using sectoral case studies of housing and water from within the United Kingdom, we demonstrate, through a tight analytical framing of both financialisation and commodification, the variegated though crucial role of the neoliberal state in restructuring provision to facilitate financialised accumulation and their transformations in response to the contradictions, dysfunctions and limitations of neoliberalised social reproduction.

Optimization and Renovation Design of Indoor Thermal Environment in Traditional Houses in Northeast Sichuan (China)—A Case Study of a Three-Section Courtyard House

The three-section courtyard is the most representative traditional residence in the traditional villages in northeast Sichuan. As a unique cultural landscape, it carries the local historical style and cultural connotation. However, the high temperature weather in summer leads to a poor thermal environment in traditional residential buildings, which cannot meet the needs of building users for human thermal comfort, and the wall is the most critical factor affecting the indoor thermal environment. Therefore, to optimise the indoor thermal environment of traditional residential buildings, this study designed four groups of wall renovation schemes according to the original traditional residential buildings and modern technology, and simulated and verified the feasibility of the building renovation schemes by using Design Builder. Then, the four groups of wall renovation schemes were compared and tested based on the Design Builder. Comparative results of the thermal-performance evaluation index revealed that compared with Case 1 and Case 2, the building refrigeration energy consumption of Case 3 in the hottest week was the least, only 427.7 kW·h, which indicates that the external wall renovation scheme using aerated concrete blocks had the best thermal insulation and energy-saving effects. The cooling energy consumption of Case 4 in the hottest week was 422 kW·h, which was 4.3 kW·h less than that of Case 3, indicating that the wall renovation scheme with an air inter-layer had better thermal insulation and energy-saving effects. The refrigeration energy consumption of Case 7 in the hottest week was only 409.8 kW·h, which was 4.19% lower than Case 3 (without insulation material), indicating that the scheme of selecting central insulation and extruded polystyrene board (XPS) had better thermal insulation and energy-saving effects in practical projects. In summary, the above transformation scheme not only improves the indoor thermal environment of traditional residential buildings, but also provides guidance for architectural designers on green, energy-saving and sustainable design.