Sustainable Housing Design Research Articles

BIM-Based Simulation on Sustainable Housing Design Using Autodesk Revit

Abstract In the master plan of Trisakti University Nagrak Campus, the criteria for sustainable buildings are mandatory in its planning. One of the facilities in the master plan is the Lecturer Housing. In the modern era, sustainable housing design is needed because of the high energy consumption in modern housing design. This study aims to determine optimal strategies for implementing the Sustainable housing concept in lecturer housing design. Simulation methods are applied using Autodesk Revit to create the lecturer housing design. BIM models are more accurately analyzed and support the idea of more sustainable designs. Based on the simulation, the maximum power obtained from Photovoltaics is 26.181 kWh/year, saving Energy by IDR 62,102,167.05 on a payback period of 15 years. This design can also harvest 20.174,062 Liters of rainwater per year. In addition, applying solar chimneys maximized the penetration of natural daylight and cross ventilation process. Based on the modeling findings, it is evident that the average building daylight factor is 6.5%, above the minimum need of 5%, which will decrease reliance on artificial lighting during daylight hours. The fin-shaped shading device mechanism can reduce direct sunlight’s glare and radiation, increasing the reflected light that touches the side of the structure. When dealing with big openings, fin shading devices are utilized to get the optimal opening height-to-shade length ratio of 3:2. The rainwater harvesting management system is well-suited for toilet flushing and plant irrigation, and implementing bio pores may significantly enhance excess rainwater soil penetration., and maximize sustainable housing design.

How Socio-Economic and Cultural Factors Shape Privacy in Ibadan's Public Housing Estates

This study investigates the socio-economic and cultural characteristics of residents in selected public housing estates in Ibadan, focusing on the privacy regulatory mechanisms they adopt. By employing a mixed-methods approach, the research involved administering questionnaires to 565 household heads and conducting in-depth interviews with eight key informants from neighbourhood associations. The findings indicate a significant majority (92.00%) of respondents have adopted privacy regulating mechanisms, with personal space and territorial behaviour being the most common. ANOVA results reveal a significant relationship between these mechanisms and the residents' socio-economic and cultural characteristics. Qualitative insights from key informants' interviews provided a nuanced understanding of residents' privacy needs, highlighting emotional and behavioural cues, as well as verbal and non-verbal data. The study concludes that privacy regulation in public housing varies across different estates and is influenced by nine socio-economic and cultural factors, offering guidance for sustainable housing design that considers contemporary urbanization's socio-economic impacts. These findings can inform architects and policymakers in creating housing designs that respect privacy and enhance the quality of life for residents.

Post-COVID-19 Era, 15th Minutes City New Urban Model Changing Housing Design and Models

This research centered on the transition from sustainability to the post-COVID-19 era, significantly altered and transformed cities, city plans, and housing models holistically approach. Although the academic world concentrating on sustainable urban and housing design since the 1990s, the pandemic has emerged as a critical paradigm shift in context since 2019. During the COVID-19 period the Paris city 15 minutes concept, first introduced by Paris Mayor A. Hidalgo initially sparked controversy as temporary now considered permanent in Paris recently, Oxford. In the post-pandemic era, sustainability has become significant on the global agenda, shaping cities, city models, and residences through profound and radical changes. Some efforts are supported by Climate-change conferences in the world and subsequently some determinations like the Paris Agreement and UN declarations that guide more livable environments and houses. Due to COVID-19 the newly emerged conditions and compulsory changes that have taken place in the cities the social isolation, distance living, and remote working led to radical changes in the living style, environment, city plans, housing models, and typologies holistically. Although many publications have been published in the last few years about the pandemic and the Paris City 15 minutes concept, they only address the city and urban scale solutions. There is no research with a holistic approach that relates the subject from the urban scale to the architectural scale, housing, and blocks. Within the 15-minute concept, searched, developed, innovative, and sustainable urban and housing-oriented suggestions for cities in the future are presented at the end of the research. In conclusion, it is revealed that the issue of sustainability has gained importance with an increasing momentum in the world agenda, witnessed the radical changes in cities and residences, in the post-COVID-19 period in the last 2-3 years.

Creating Resilient Smart Homes with a Heart: Sustainable, Technologically Advanced Housing across the Lifespan and Frailty through Inclusive Design for People and Their Robots

The design of age-friendly homes benefits vulnerable groups, such as frail people and older adults. Advances in smart home technologies, including robots, have important synergies with homes designed for health needs. Yet, focus on environmental and sustainable housing design and improvements misses important opportunities for collective impact. Stronger involvement of disciplines, such as those from the built environment for technological integration within homes and effects on space and the community, is needed. There is a need for a unified framework integrating the needs and factors of the resident, smart home technologies and robots, and the built environment, and that includes the concept of a “home”. With the remodeling of housing towards sustainable and environmental targets, as well as advances in smart home technologies such as robots, the timeliness of shared input for the benefit of residents now and in the future is of the essence. This would help target future research into effective and optimized cohabitation with technology within homes for the purpose of improving the wellbeing of residents.

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.

Sustainable Housing Design Potentials in Palestine: A Focus on the Spontaneous Urban Design Form

Sustainable Housing Design Potentials in Palestine: A Focus on the Spontaneous Urban Design Form

Cultural Influences and Sustainable Housing Design: A Comprehensive Systematic Review

Cultural Influences and Sustainable Housing Design: A Comprehensive Systematic Review

Liveability Considerations: Towards Designing Sustainable Public Housing in Niger State, Nigeria

This study investigates liveability in the context of sustainable public housing in Niger State, Nigeria, where existing housing efforts have fallen short of residents' satisfaction. Recognizing the critical link between liveability indicators and environmental sustainability, this research aims to identify key liveability variables that could be integrated into the design and construction of sustainable public housing. Employing a mixed-method approach, the study involved cluster sampling for selecting housing estates and units, followed by the administration of 910 questionnaires containing 102 questions on liveability variables. Analytical techniques, including Hierarchical Cluster Analysis, Factor Analysis, and Multiple Regression Analysis, were used to group, refine, and validate the liveability variables. The results revealed 21 significant variables that collectively could achieve a 92.9% satisfaction rate among residents if incorporated into public housing design. These findings underline the potential of addressing liveability in the pursuit of sustainable housing solutions, offering insights for urban planners, architects, and policymakers. By focusing on the residents' perspectives, the study contributes to a more user-centred approach in public housing development, promoting long-term satisfaction and reducing the need for post-occupancy alterations.

Large-Scale Self-Assembly of anisotropic graphene oxide films via blade Coating: Sustainable design and Stimuli-Responsive performance for biomimicry

Sustainable structural design, utilizing material to imitate natural biological systems, presents both promise and challenges. By avoiding interfacial problems encountered in composite counterparts, such designs offer self-adaptive materials for smart housing and green architecture, etc. In this study, we demonstrate the feasibility of large-scale self-assembly of graphene oxide (GO) flakes into anisotropic films through a simple blade coating technique. Through the application of blade coating to a highly concentrated nematic GO suspension, we successfully fabricate GO films with morphological gradient and patterning. Additionally, we propose a statistical analysis method utilizing scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images for the characterization of materials with macroscopic surface morphology. Furthermore, we explore the application of these GO films as low-dimensional soft actuators, revealing their outstanding stimuli-responsive performance and self-adaptation to environment. Such robust and flexible films can be used as integral building elements in the bioinspired design of sustainable smart housing facilitating remote robotization and sensing capabilities.

A Methodical Framework for Sustainable Architectural Design: Housing Practice in the Middle East

In developing countries where sustainable housing design receives insufficient theoretical and practical efforts, decisions about appropriate sustainable design strategies are often made in ignorance of situational and contextual issues and isolation from local practices. The study attempts to provide a design framework that comprises various design models for sustainable housing, enabling architects worldwide to broaden their sustainability practices in the architectural field. The study employs the grounded theory method to transform theory into viable housing design models for architects in various regions, particularly the Middle East, who will be able to trace the regional models and select design approaches and strategies in response to local situations. The research is divided into three stages. Guy and Farmer’s six logics are linked with methodical sustainable design approaches through comparative analysis to develop design models that will be chased in sustainable housing practices. The models are introduced in the next phase within a design framework and, finally, verified through Middle Eastern practices. The framework, which has been verified by tracking sustainable housing models in the design practices of Middle Eastern countries, can be used by applying the design models individually or by combining more than one model to create more responsive sustainable design practices in the housing field. The novelty of the study is that the developed framework transforms theoretical models into viable options for designers and scholars around the world, as well as enabling architects and developers in Middle Eastern cities to easily and practically trace regional design models and to select appropriate design approaches and strategies in an integrative manner.

When Two Worlds Collide: Creatively Reassessing the Concept of a House Beyond the Human

This article reassesses the concept of a house from a non-human perspective. The two worlds that collide in this article are philosophical analyses that are “beyond the human” and sustainable engineering house design. By analyzing the houses of ten animal species for shelter/skin properties, life pedagogy (how to live), materials and resources, thermal dynamics, and structural elements, we speculate on the future of housing. The premise of this article is that “beyond the human” philosophy opens a new visage to comprehend and conceptualize what a house could be. Beyond the human theorizing is defined by philosophy that has gone beyond framing an exploration internally to the benefit of themselves, as human subject(s). This article speculates that considering animal house construction is a way forward for thought in a changing climate.

Activating Sustainable Building Technology’s Role in Contemporary Housing Design Strategies for Low-Income People after COVID19 Pandemic

In the developing world, practical steps are taken to provide adequate, sustainable housing, especially for low-income people within technological age capabilities in construction by searching for new techniques of building technology to meet that goal. In the Arab countries, contemporary housing design is particularly effective because it is the primary unit of the contemporary urban fabric and the basic cell that constitutes most of the city’s area. So the following research questions are discussed in this study: What are the challenges facing contemporary sustainable housing design in specific affordable housing for the lower-income groups? What is the potential for sustainable building technology to meet that goal considering the social and economic dimension of the COVID 19 pandemic? What are the ambitions that they set out to achieve in that house? To emphasize the essential role of sustainable building technology and techniques in acquiring and implementing different goals and actual needs of all strata of society.

Socio-Cultural Values Influences on the Housing Design towards Sustainable Community in the Gaza Strip

This study highlighted the interrelationships that exist among the significant social factors and cultural factors that influence sustainable housing design. Furthermore, sustainable housing design is a vital area in the built environment literature that consist of social, cultural and economic factors. However, literature revealed that problem of sustainable housing design exists due to the imbalance between these influential factors. This study employed quantitative method design to answer research questions and objectives. Firstly, research investigated the direct relationship between socio-cultural values on sustainable housing design in the Gaza strip. Secondly, the research addressed the antecedents of sustainable housing design (SHD) such as family structure (FS), family values (FV), family lifestyle (FLS), privacy (PV), religion and attitude beliefs (RB), safety and security (SS), in explaining SHD and bridged identified gaps in literature. Therefore, current research design in this research study, self- administered survey was applied. Stratified probability sampling was employed to choose the respondents for quantitative. Survey questionnaires were distributed among 384 residents of Gaza. Data of 252 respondents were analyzed through SEM technique using AMOS 22. Quantitative brings important findings based on socio-cultural factors influencing sustainable housing design. The results revealed that both social factors i.e., family structure (FS), family values (FV), family lifestyle (FLS) and cultural factors i.e., privacy (PV), religion beliefs (RB), safety and security (SS) related positively with sustainable housing design (SHD). The findings have revealed that major themes of both social and cultural factors explaining sustainable housing design (SHD). Overall, findings provide comprehensive constructive insight to employ a sustainable housing design framework align with socio-cultural values in Gaza. Finally, future research should use other forms of analysis based on observation etc. and conduct comparative analysis in context of other Arab countries.

Design Rule and Social Dimensions of the Bengkilas of Vernacular Limas Houses in South Sumatra

This article explores the guidelines used to theoretically and empirically determine the bengkilas' measurement of Limas house to understand how the social dimension is integrated into the vernacular housing design process. This goal was achieved by conducting a multi-case study, mixed methods, interviews with four interviewees chosen purposively because of their limas house ownership and recognition of expertise in its architecture, and measurements on 30 limas houses in Palembang, South Sumatra, Indonesia. The data was collected quantitatively through measurements of the dimensions of the house and qualitatively through interviews with community leaders. Previous research literature was also used to cross-examine various interviewees' statements. This literature was likely to be local studies that cannot be avoided due to the lack of international publications related to the limas house. The guideline used in determining the size of bengkilas is the dulang module system and the step count system. The social dimension can be seen from the priority of space to share food in the house based on the dish module. Based on the study results, a theory was developed which explained that the origins of bengkilas were semi-public space instead of social stratification. Governments trying to revitalize vernacular housing for reasons of tourism, culture, or preservation, can build on the findings of this study to build sustainable housing design. This article contributes to the understanding of vernacular design that exists today.

Study of Alternatives for the Design of Sustainable Low-Income Housing in Brazil

Despite insufficient housing facilities, particularly in developing countries, construction systems are generally selected intuitively or based on conventional solutions sanctioned by practice. The present study aims to evaluate different options for the design of low-income housing in Brazil by integrating the life cycle assessment (LCA) into the decision-making process. To achieve this objective, three single-family projects with different construction systems were selected and analyzed. The most sustainable design was selected through the analytic hierarchy process (AHP). The considered parameters, which were obtained through a survey with professionals and customers, included cost, environmental impact, thermal comfort, construction time, and cultural acceptance. LCA and life cycle cost assessment (LCCA) were performed with the frontier’s system considering the cradle-to-gate cycle, which included the extraction of raw materials, manufacture of building materials, and housing construction. The projects were modelled using Autodesk Revit software with the Tally application for LCA evaluation. The results indicated that light steel frame houses present a better behavior than other conventional alternatives, and the integration of building information modelling with LCA and LCCA in the design phase can lead to the development of more sustainable houses.

Post-war sustainable housing design strategies: the case of reconstruction in Iraq

The damage of architecture in Iraq has been caused by a series of wars during the last four decades. The last conflict against the Islamic State from 2014 to 2017 caused severe destruction to the buildings in seven governorates, namely: Nineveh, Baghdad, Anbar, Babel, Kirkuk, Diyala, Salah Aldeen. three years after the Iraqi government has announced liberation, the cities are still covered by tons of rubble and thousands of people are still staying in camps. Several international humanitarian organizations are providing urgent assistance to help some local people to rebuild their homes. This paper presents initial results of an ongoing PhD research, which focuses on the role of architectural design in the postwar reconstruction in Iraq. It addresses an architectural damage assessment of the Post-War in the Old City of Mosul, after liberation from ISIS in 2017. The damage assessment focuses the residential buildings as it is the most affected sector and the most needed to start re-building. As rubble is the main obstacle for the residents besides that it's the first step for the recovery, this paper studies the scale of destruction to determine the quantity and quality of rubble in this historic city. Thus, it presents the current actions taken by locals and examines the government movements towards rubble management. Results show that, the unguided strategy of rebuilding is inefficient causing more damage to the environment and there is no comprehensive plan to protect historic buildings with a high heritage. The aim of this paper is to provide basic guidelines and recommendations for preventing further destruction to the heritage of the Old City.

Principles of Design for Sustainable Group Housing Projects in India

There are three rating systems available to assess the sustainability of Group Housing in India provided by three agencies, namely the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC), Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment (GRIHA), and Eco Housing Assessment Criteria's. The parameters for all three rating systems have some differentials. The building rated under one rating system may not obtain a rating under another rating system. It means that designers' attention is restricted to the rating system's criteria and has lost the sustainable design process's true spirit. This paper aims to establish the Principles of Design that meet all the rating system's maximum criteria. The methodology followed for this paper includes a brief review of all rating systems and a comparative analysis of similarity and dissimilarity to understand the key focus areas of all three rating systems. The Principles of Design are applied to fulfill all the three-rating system requirements with each focus area. The applications of design principles in the project indicate that only a certain number of Principles of Design are applied to achieve the rating system in each project, and many Principles of Design are overlooked. This was due to the designer's approach to sustainable buildings as a product based on the rating system. The Principles of Design generated in this paper will be a ready source of guidance for India's sustainable housing design. The designer should initially approach sustainable design as a design process and, later on, achieve a sustainable design for a specific rating system.

Competitive Advantage Evaluation Model of Sustainable Housing Design

Owing to the housing design’s booming development and fierce competition among industry players, there have been many sensational designs that have not met the requirements of sustainable living, resulting in a serious waste of resources. Therefore, finding the critical factors of sustainable housing design with competitive advantages, and establishing an effective evaluation model along with helping operators make adequate decisions is the imperative topic at present. This study aimed to develop an evaluative model of such competitive advantages focusing on sustainable housing design, with 15 evaluation factors found through literature analysis, delivering 500 questionnaires of the Analytical Hierarchy Process development for housing design customers. A total of 390 were retrieved for a response rate of 78% and 327 are valid questionnaires. The factors listed in sequence are Cost Effectiveness, Tender Reputation and Word of Mouth, Green Materials, Culture and Folk Beliefs, Energy Saving, Energy Recovery, Easy Maintenance, Service Accessibility, Optimal Housing for Preserving Health, Customer Participating Experience, Schedule Control for Design and Engineering, Regulation Compliance, Core Competencies, Identity Representation, Low Operation Cost. Utility theory was then employed to develop a customer-oriented assessment model. Finally, four case studies of housing design were examined with different locations, environments, human qualities, and budgets. The results found that the benefit of the location in a favorable environment was the highest, while the location near the river and the tomb area was the lowest. As mentioned above, the designer needs to create a solution for the influences of Culture and Folk Beliefs, as well as the uneasy maintenance problems caused by the high humidity near the river. Accordingly, there are different responses made for different conditions of houses from designers. Furthermore, the evaluation model can serve as a tool, supporting decision-making related to sustainable housing designers.

A two-step approach for cost-effective design analysis of Net Zero Energy Homes

Net Zero Energy Homes (NZEHs) have emerged as the solution to achieve sustainable house design. However, an NZEH entails higher capital cost compared with that of a conventional home, which comprises the main barrier for promoting NZEHs. In addressing this issue and promoting the cost-effective design of NZEHs, a two-step cost analysis framework with a mathematical model is proposed in this research: (1) qualified NZEH design scenarios are selected based on energy simulation, monitoring, and the acceptance as an NZEH in terms of energy balance; and (2) cost performance is analyzed for these qualified NZEH design scenarios, based on which the cost-effective design scenario is identified for an NZEH. Through the innovative two-step cost analysis with the optimization model, the cost-effective scenario is identified for NZEH design, while the identified design scenario also meets net-zero energy requirements. The proposed research framework with the mathematical model is demonstrated using an NZEH in Edmonton, Canada, as an example, and a capital cost savings of 4.2% is achieved by applying the proposed two-step approach in this research. This paper proposes a generic approach for the cost-effective design of NZEHs, and the research results contribute to the promotion of the NZEH application.

Waffle structure optimization in terms of energy efficiency and spatial geometry for a single family house

Sustainable house design represents an integrated complex process, with form rationalization that is to be considered in the early project stages, in order to achieve a set of goals that range from aesthetic and spatial qualities to structural optimization and energy efficiency. Recent research directions in the field of building physics, with regard to the energy efficiency component, focus mostly on environmental aspects, such as carbon footprint reduction. Another contemporary issue that must be addressed concerns establishing a balance between overall energy performance and a comfortable indoor environment. From an architectural standpoint, the passive design principles can adequately respond to the above mentioned issues and have been the focus of specialists during the last years. This paper presents a set of form optimization strategies implemented in the conceptual design stage of a contemporary house. The main objectives of the study focus on energy efficiency maximization and rational use of local resources, without compromising aesthetic criteria.