Housing Model Research Articles

How supply and demand affect national house prices: The case of Ireland

While many western economies experienced substantial fluctuations in house prices since the turning of the century, the Irish residential market stands out as a particular case. Irish house prices experienced profound increases in the period leading up to the global financial crisis (GFC); thereafter the concomitant downturn in both the real Irish economy and financial sector precipitated a dramatic decline in prices between 2007 and 2012. However, since 2012 prices have increased in a sustained and persistent manner. A number of possible reasons are commonly cited for the recovery. In this paper we avail of a new housing and financial sector model, which are part of a broader macro-econometric model, COSMO, of the Irish economy to characterise the determinants of Irish house prices over the period 1995–2019 and in particular to examine the reasons for the post 2012 recovery. The suite of models are used to examine the contribution of developments in both monetary policy and financial stability as well as the performance of the real economy. The role played by the sluggish response of the supply-side of the Irish residential sector is also assessed. The supply-side of the Irish market was especially impacted by the GFC and has struggled to respond to the surge in housing demand which has accompanied the general economic recovery since 2012. Our results have interesting implications for the growing literature examining the intersection of monetary policy and financial stability on house prices.

Neighbourliness in concrete: modern construction, ethnic labour and the architectures of New York Italians

‘Neighbourliness in concrete’ assesses the intertwined histories of modern construction and Italian migration in New York City at the turn of the twentieth century. Through the analysis of architecture, construction, and union journals of the period along with the voices of social reformers, ministers, and other intellectuals, the article contends that the adoption of concrete construction did not follow an uncontested technical revolution, as it is often discussed, but was critically mediated by labour debates, social clashes, and ethnic conflicts decisively involving Italian migrant workers, who constituted a majority amongst concrete labourers at the time in New York City. The article situates these debates in relation to the definition of these migrants as ‘neighbours’ — linking negotiations amongst trades and ethnicities in the construction site to contemporaneous discussions on collective housing models in the American metropolis. It explores how new forms of ‘neighbourliness’ defined in these two sites were simultaneously framed by industrialisation, capitalism, nationalism, and migration throughout this formative period for both the Italian and American republics. Coming fundamentally from the south of their country, Italian migrant workers struggled to identify (and be recognised) as both members of the new Italian nation and as American citizens and, rather than easily fitting in any of the ‘imagined communities’ defined for the two republics, they constituted themselves as a material one. Modern architecture, the article concludes, was both dependent on and the catalyst for negotiations of neighbourliness in concrete.

Learning from the Past, Looking to Resilience: Housing in Serbia in the Post-Pandemic Era

The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly reshaped life across the globe, significantly influencing the future of housing. The enactment and densification of diverse activities within one place have resulted in varying degrees of conflict between the built and social environment. This conflict is directly related to the degree of housing adaptability to new life, work, and leisure conditions. Movement restrictions and distance learning have significantly impacted the young population, which is susceptible to ‘enforced togetherness’ conditions. However, studies on post-pandemic housing in Serbia are rare. This paper investigates the relationship between the built and social environment, focusing on current trends in multi-family housing from the perspective of the progressive change of life standards in the post-pandemic era. It also includes a survey of the living conditions of architecture students in Serbia during lockdown and distance learning, offering insights into the impact of the physical environment on virus transmission and social dynamics. The main objective of this study is to formulate guidelines for developing a resilient housing model in Serbia that will address both current and future crises. From the findings, it can be concluded that radical changes in housing policy are necessary to enable less interdependence among layers within the system striving to be resilient.

Designing for Modern Living

This study delves into the evolving landscape of modern living in South Korea, which has the widespread apartment complexes that have emerged from the efficiency centric approaches of industrial capitalism. It explores the paradigm shift in the 21st-century capitalist society, which now values creativity and individual expression over functionality and uniformity. This shift has led to a noticeable disparity between the monotonous spatial composition of mass-produced housing and the dynamic, creative lifestyles of contemporary residents. The research method involves a comprehensive analysis of both lifestyle and architectural magazines, providing insights into the changing preferences and lifestyles of residents, as well as the perspectives of professionals. The study aimed to highlight the changing nature of residential spaces and the design strategies, moving away from the conventional utility-focused designs, towards environments that foster creativity and reflect the individuality of inhabitants. Key findings indicate a growing public preference for residential spaces that are versatile, creatively stimulating, and aligned with the multifaceted nature of modern lifestyles. Contrasting these views, architectural experts emphasize the fundamental values of living, advocating for spaces that connect residents with nature and enrich everyday experiences through sensory engagement. The study concludes that while there is a divergence in perspectives between the general public and architectural specialists, both recognize the necessity for sustainable housing solutions. These solutions should cater to contemporary societal changes while preserving essential life values, thereby overcoming the limitations of the prevalent apartment centric urban housing model in South Korea.

Model and Application of Traditional Courtyard-style Aging-friendly Affordable Housing

In recent years, when formulating policies for affordable housing in China, most considerations have been made from the macro perspective of policy guidance, financial support, and social and urban development. Yet, there is a lack of in-depth attention to the residents of affordable housing, especially the significant elderly population. Therefore, this study aims to focus on this demographic, delve into their actual needs, and propose targeted aging-friendly renovation suggestions.

A qualitative study of the benefits and challenges of different models of extra care housing for residents living with dementia.

Extra care housing (ECH) is a type of housing with care and support designed to enable older people to age in place. Approximately one fifth of residents living in ECH are living with dementia and yet, there remains gaps as to how best to support people to live well with dementia in the context. ECH stock across the United Kingdom (UK) includes a diverse range of options that can be grouped into integrated, specialist and separated accommodation. Integrated models involve residents with dementia living alongside residents without dementia. Specialist ECH offer accommodation exclusively for people living with dementia. Separated models offer a separate area for residents with dementia within a larger, integrated site. How these different models work for residents living with dementia is little known and has remained a significant gap in knowledge that impairs both professionals and people living with dementia when choosing housing and care. This paper reports on findings from a large study of residents living with dementia in ECH. The focus is on the potential benefits and challenges of different models of provision. Data were generated from interviews with 100 participants (residents, family members, staff, and adult social care professionals) at eight case study sites across England. Findings demonstrated that there are potential benefits and challenges within each model, but the limited diversity of stock limits choice. Multiple variables beyond the model of provision affect the lived experience, meaning that there is no universal model of optimal support. Rather, the approach and resources of each site is more important than the model of provision. Suggestions for future research directions are considered.

Tiexi Workers’ Village: shaping collective life in socialist China from the 1950s to the 1970s

ABSTRACT Workers’ villages are social housing districts built during the early period of New China for accommodating state-owned factory employees and their families. By borrowing the Soviet collective housing model, workers’ villages triggered significant socialist transformations architecturally and socially – shaping a new collective lifestyle. This article discusses the formation approach and manifestation of collective life in workers’ villages focusing on one case: Tiexi Workers’ Village in Shenyang City during the 1950s–1970s period. The evidence illustrates that through collectivization of living space and coordinating administration structure, a collective life represented by intense organized activities and personal interactions was indeed shaped in this pilot housing project. This paper sheds light on the collectiveness of the spatial pattern on the one hand, and the role it played in moulding everyday life under the socialist political/ideological circumstances of early New China on the other. This article concludes emphasizing the practical significance of this collective living model, which is more than just a historical proof of the past socio-spatiality but is also an important heritage beneficial to contemporary housing and communities.

A Sustainable Residential Building Model in North Iraq by Considering Occupant Behaviour, Sociocultural Needs, and the Impact on Energy Use

Sustainable design, which aims to reduce energy consumption and mitigate climate change, is a primary concern of developing countries. Hence, it reduces CO2 emissions. Residential buildings in North Iraq account for approximately 69% of all electricity consumed. To mitigate this issue, this article investigates the design of a sustainable model by considering the local climate, building design occupant behaviour, and sociocultural needs in the region and their impact on energy use. This study used mixed research methods to develop a sustainable single-family house model in semi-arid climates, specifically Erbil (North Iraq), the process consisted of three phases. Phase One saw the collection of all data from analysed literature, observation, worship, case study simulations of the base, and an improved model. Phase Two defined the guidelines for creating sustainable model dwellings based on the main findings in Phase One. Phase Three created a prototype to evaluate the sustainable model, primarily focusing on meeting people’s design preferences while avoiding privacy concerns. In addition, DesignBuilder Software simulation was used to examine the impact of occupancy behaviour (based on local culture and traditions) on the building’s energy performance throughout two phases. In the first step, three occupancy profile types are compared with real-life study bills. These profiles were the base case, which came from an actual case; the statistical profile from surveys; and the international standard ASHRAE 90.1, which was used as the default. The second phase compared the base model with an improved model and developed a sustainable prototype that satisfies local climate and sociocultural needs. The result indicated that the standard occupant profile significantly differs from the actual bill by 40%, whereas the statistical profile and base case reduce the gap to 11% and 4%, respectively. The sustainable prototype model can enhance operative temperature by 4 °C and decrease total energy use by 50% compared to the base case model. Data also showed that occupants keep lights on even when rooms are unoccupied. Therefore, when designing sustainable dwellings, it is crucial to consider occupant behaviour and their sociocultural needs, as they have a significant impact on energy use as a result of their activity patterns and schedules. These factors should be considered in the local code.

Simulating the impact and policy implications of telework on home energy use and emissions in Canada

Statistics indicate that after the COVID-19 pandemic, many individuals have opted to work remotely for at least a few days each week. This study investigates the impact of teleworking on energy consumption and carbon emissions in Canadian homes. Four residential building models, aligned with the 2020 requirements of the National Building Code of Canada (NBC), were investigated across six Canadian climate zones. The findings of this study reveal that the increase in energy consumption and CO2 emissions due to teleworking varies according to the type of building and the number of thermal zones. For the selected single-zone house models, the maximum increase in energy consumption and CO2 emissions were 11% and 10%, respectively occurring in a row house two-story building. For the three-zone house models, the increase was 5%. Also, results indicated that full-time teleworking in a four-storey multi-family building with 12.5%, 50% and 100% teleworking ratios increased the total energy of the building by 1%, 4%, and 10%, respectively. The second phase of this study investigated possible enhancements to building energy codes, focusing on the National Building Code of Canada, to address increasing daytime occupancy resulting from teleworkers, retirees, and other occupants.

Assessment of the Greenery Content in Suburban Multi-Family Housing Models in Poland: A Case Study of the Poznań Metropolitan Area

(1) Contemporary approaches to sustainable housing design tend to prioritize technological solutions supporting energy efficiency and climate change mitigation. On the contrary, spatial planning of housing estates does not always address all pro-ecological aspects, such as the role of greenery. This research aimed to assess the greenery content and its environmental importance in typical housing districts in the selected study area. (2) The research methodology was based on indicators reflecting the biologically active area ratio, the length of communication routes lined with trees, the tree number per area unit, the tree canopy, and the environmental benefits delivered by the trees. The above indicators allowed us to compare selected models of suburban residential districts typical of specific timeframes. (3) The results indicated that the greenery content and its environmental benefits in suburban districts are decreasing in the study area. Another finding concerned the importance of selecting tree species for their ability to develop a canopy and provide ecosystem services. (4) The proposed methodology, based on inter-related indicators, validly compared the greenery content in the analyzed districts, giving it application value. The problems observed contributed to the proposal of a revision of Poland’s planning practices. Local zoning plans could include streetscape standards, indicating paving solutions and plantings to improve the situation.

A co-production model for the South African housing sector

Background: The public housing delivery practices in South Africa are fragmented, resulting in various outcomes concerning housing delivery. There is a pressing need to overhaul public housing delivery that puts citizens at the core of the delivery process.Aim: The current state-led model of delivering housing is not effective and by design, the model for housing delivery should include the participation of beneficiaries. The aim was to develop a co-production model for housing delivery.Setting: The article focused on the housing sector in South Africa.Methods: A qualitative research approach and grounded theory as research design was used. Instruments were document analysis and semi-structured interviews with participants who are stakeholders in housing co-production. Data collected was analysed through inductive thematic analysis.Results: The results suggested a self-reliant approach to housing delivery, which is demand driven with the state as a facilitator and not the provider of housing. The model for housing should have a component that does not perpetuate a culture of dependency and entitlement but promotes the concept of co-production.Conclusion: The article explored the possibility of introducing a co-production model for housing delivery model in South Africa. It was established that the role of government must shift to that of an enabler and facilitator instead of a provider of housing.Contribution: This proposed model contributes towards the body of knowledge in terms of promoting public service delivery and performance (in this instance in the housing sector) in South Africa as a country situated in Africa.

Transparent ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene/MXene films with efficient UV-absorption for thermal management

The rational use and conversion of energy are the primary means for achieving the goal of carbon neutrality. MXenes can be used for photothermal conversion, but their opaque appearance limits wider applications. Herein, we successfully develop visible-light transparent and UV-absorbing polymer composite film by solution blending the MXene with polyethylene and then vacuum pressing. The resulting film could be quickly heated to 65 °C under 400 mW cm−2 light irradiation and maintained over 85% visible-light transmittance as well as low haze (<12%). The findings of the indoor heat insulation test demonstrate that the temperature of the glass house model covered by this film was 6-7 °C lower than that of the uncovered model, revealing the potential of transparent film in energy-saving applications. In order to mimic the energy-saving condition of the building in various climates, a typical building model with this film as the outer layer of the window was created using the EnergyPlus building energy consumption software. According to predictions, they could reduce yearly refrigeration energy used by 31-61 MJ m−2, and 3%-12% of the total energy used for refrigeration in such structures. This work imply that the film has wide potential for use as transparent devices in energy-related applications.

Hybrid housing models for older Australians: institutional framework and policy challenges

Older people seeking affordable housing in the mainstream housing tenures such as home ownership, private renting and social housing face increasing difficulties in accessing and remaining in appropriate housing. The mainstream housing tenures face pressure due to widening housing affordability problems in home ownership and the private rental sector in many advanced economies, exacerbated by declining investment in social housing. Hybrid housing models are often promoted as affordable and sometimes appropriate and adequate housing options for older people. These models combine aspects of ownership and renting in diverse ways, often posing challenges for tenure-based housing policies. Drawing on the case of Australia, the paper presents the findings of an institutional review of the production, consumption, management, and exchange of land lease communities, often marketed as a more affordable form of housing for older people compared to the more established hybrid form of retirement villages. Noting difficulties in scoping the size and significance of the land lease community sector from current data collections, we find (a) entry of large institutional investors risks undermining the relative affordability of the sector for older people; (b) security of occupancy is a critical policy issue and (c) concentration in rural areas raises concerns around risk of natural disasters and access to aged care and other services. These issues are often overlooked in housing policy and pose challenges for other policy domains including income support, social care, and health services.

Shaking table tests of a one-quarter scale model of concrete hollow block masonry houses retrofitted with fiber-reinforced paint

Unreinforced masonry (URM) buildings are prone to significant damage when subjected to ground motion. Some strengthening methods have been proposed to increase the seismic capacity. However, the widespread adoption of these methods faces various challenges, including economic constraints experienced by common people in developing countries, the complexity of implementation, efficiency, and seismic safety of each technique. This paper introduces a new retrofitting method of fiber-reinforced paint using fiberglass as the primary reinforcing material. The advantage of this technique lies in its simplicity and ease of application, with the added benefit of using the paint to improve the appearance of the house. Two 1:4 scale concrete hollow block (CHB) masonry houses were constructed to represent unreinforced masonry and retrofitted masonry structures using fiber-reinforced paint (FR-Paint). The shaking table test results indicate that the retrofitted house model showed improvements of up to 18 times in deformation capacity and up to 13 times in energy dissipation compared to the non-retrofitted house model. FR-Paint has a robust performance even in high input motion at a seismic intensity JMA of 7 (Japan Meteorological Agency). This confirms that this retrofitting method has a high earthquake-resistant performance.

The impact of globalization on the revival of innovative housing models in Doha, Qatar

After the oil and economic boom of the 20th century, Doha experienced significant development in terms of the architectural scene, design, function, and sociocultural transformations. The advancements in global architecture have facilitated innovative and streamlined construction processes, while creating a paradigm shift in the overall architecture of dwellings and how people navigate around the house. In this context, this research aims to study the impact of globalization on housing typologies and the factors influencing their evolution, focusing on the city of Doha as a case study. This study is based on a qualitative research approach that centers its investigation on Doha while exploring strategies for preserving Arabic-Islamic identity. The research investigation used a content analysis methodology to analyze three additional case studies within the MENA region. The results indicate that new housing typologies have emerged in cities due to globalization and changes in physical and sociocultural dimensions. In addition, preserving older neighborhoods and housing typologies through a bottom-up approach is essential for design creativity and climatic and sociocultural sensitivity while exchanging knowledge and sharing experiences between generations. Furthermore, this article promotes heritage awareness and encourages local authorities to preserve Doha’s surviving historic neighborhoods and architectural language to restore the city’s urban identity. The findings of this research can provide helpful guidance to architects and urban planners on how Doha’s housing has developed until the contemporary period.

Adaptive Reuse of High-Rise Buildings for Housing: A Study of Istanbul Central Business District

The abrupt shift to remote work due to the Covid-19 pandemic increased vacant office spaces globally, especially in high-rent central business districts (CBDs). These vacant office spaces offer the potential for conversion into housing, addressing the shortage of affordable housing in central areas. Additionally, this topic presents a unique experimental ground for architecture students. This study focuses on the Istanbul CBD as a case study, examining the historical developments that led to a rise in office vacancy rates and housing inequality, and exploring the potential for adaptive reuse of these vacant office buildings. A key focus of this study is to underline the pedagogical value of adaptive reuse, highlighting how such projects can inspire more diverse and equitable housing models, fostering experimental and sustainable design approaches. It systematically evaluates the outcomes of a 4th-year architectural design studio that focuses on the adaptive reuse of the Tat Towers in the Istanbul CBD, a structurally vacant high-rise office building, and asks: How does the context of adaptive reuse enable a different design approach, and, potentially, new spatial norms and standards to emerge, and how might this hold a pedagogical value for architecture education? Following these questions, the article discusses how norms and standards are not only culturally but also typologically contextual, and how the students have explored how norms and standards might change, outlining new design approaches to adaptive reuse.

Exploring Empowerment of Young Participants of Social Housing Youth Innovation Project in Taipei from Advisory Team's Perspectives

&lt;p&gt;本文是從青創戶輔導團隊的觀點，加以探討臺北市社會住宅青創計畫的培力運用。本文依據三個方向進行分析：（一）輔導團隊的工作重點；（二）培力青創戶的模式；以及（三）培力青創戶對社宅的影響。首先。建置各社宅的輔導窗口，及規劃推動社宅的業務內容都是工作重點。第二是培力模式，共分為七大面向包括：初期說明會與工作坊、分組社區活動執行及社區行政事務、學習與轉化社區工作的know-how、個別輔導、團體輔導、成果檢核的輔導等。第三是對社宅的影響，社區內部的網絡開始發展，鄰避效應的問題也開始降低，同時，經濟／社會弱勢者參加社區活動的機會也增加。最後，社宅的青創戶政策可視為一種創新的社區工作模式，提供未來社區工作的參考。&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The analysis framework of this study includes: the main focuses of the advisory team, the empowerment model, and the social impacts of this project. The important findings are as followings. Firstly, the advisory team learned lessons and accumulated experiences by try and error. The establishment of advisory staff in each social housing, and development of community activities were the focal tasks of the advisory team. Secondly, the operations of empowerment contained: the implementations of orientations and workshops, the labor divisions of young participants, the transformations and practices of know-how learned from the advisory team, individual and group consultations, as well as the review of outcome evaluation. The thirdly, some positive impacts of this project had been identified for the residents of social hosing and near-by areas. Finally, the empowerment model of social Housing for Youth Innovation project provided some valuable insights for the development of community work.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

Implementation of the Community Homes for Opportunity Program Among Community Mental Health Staff in Southwestern Ontario

Supportive housing programs such as the Community Homes for Opportunity (CHO) that provide combined formal (off-site healthcare providers) and informal (on-site supports are effective in reducing erratic housing and homelessness. This study explored the views of the Community Mental Health Agency staff on their experiences with the CHO and related changes for further improvement of the program. We applied focused ethnographic techniques to recruit 47 agency staff from 28 group homes in Southwestern Ontario, Canada. Focus group discussions were conducted at two-time points (baseline–spring 2018 and post-implementation – winter 2019). Data analysis guided by Leininger’s ethnographic qualitative analysis techniques produced three main themes and 11 subthemes themes. The main themes include facilitators of CHO, challenges to the CHO implementation, and strategies for improving the CHO program. Overall, supportive housing models have been found to constitute an effective pathway to reducing precarious housing and ending chronic homelessness for those in need while enhancing their social integration.

고령자 서비스 결합주택의 공급제도 연구

Although social demand on integrated service housing for the elderly, there were not enough researches focusing on supply model in detail. The objective of this study is to develop more sophsticated model concerned on service integrated housing based on the preferece of the elderly viewpoints. Considering its development stage for elderly house with services, delphi method can be a substantial instrument in constructing service housing model. The service integrated housing has a dual components that comprise of housing aspect and welfare one so interviewees were divided by urban and housing researchers and those of welfare division. Two rounds of questionaare was implemented in order to set up supply model for the service housing. Main conclusions are as follows. first, providing home-like arrangement are important for making curing environment and middle size are opt to compared with small or large size complexes. Second, facilitating private participation for service housing, setting up assistant program in supply and operation stage of that housing. Third, new legislation is urgent task in facilitating and making age friendly supply environment. Considering the shortage of service housing provision, legislative endeavour are urgently needed for our future.

Translation Quality Assessment of Literary Texts: A Critical Analysis of Two Recent Arabic Translations of Orwell's Animal Farm (1945)

This article aims to assess and evaluate the quality of two recent Arabic translations of George Orwell's Animal Farm (1945), the first one by Mohammed Hasan Alawi (2019) and the second one by Hiba Fathi (2020) using House's (2015) Translation Quality Assessment model. A mixed approach of qualitative and quantitative methods was employed. The qualitative method involved conducting a comparative analysis between the profiles of the source text and the two translations employing House's model (2015) to identify mismatches at the register parameter. The quantitative method was employed to quantify the overtly erroneous errors and determine whether statistically significant differences exist in the mean number of these errors between the two translations. The findings of the study show numerous mismatches, particularly at the three dimensions of register (field, tenor, and mode) which to some extent affected the ideational and interpersonal components of the textual function in both translations. The findings also indicate statistically significant differences between the two translations in terms of the frequency of overtly erroneous errors. The second translation exhibited a higher number of such errors compared to the first translation, primarily resulting from the breach of the target language system. The study concluded that the second translation was less adequate compared to the first translation.