An alternative design approach for current energy-efficient housing concepts: conceptual framework enabling a dynamic way of living throughout the seasons

Abstract

Due to environmental, economic and social developments, many sustainable housing concepts (e.g. passive house) have been implemented in practice with a strong focus on energy-efficiency. However, this induces new challenges such as an increase in material consumption, higher building costs and inefficient occupant behaviour due to a static built environment. Therefore, the research aims at an alternative dwelling concept that enables a more dynamic use of the indoor living environment for more resource-efficient housing concepts. By means of a literature review, more insights were gained in dynamic architecture and the design approach of energy-efficient housing concepts. First, the review explores the different interpretations of dynamic building and its response to the constantly changing resident and climate. Secondly, the paper reviews the interaction between resident, climate and the controlled and constant and static environments of energy-efficient buildings. As a result, the paper instigates that an effective user interaction between building, resident and climate is needed when creating a dynamic living environment. In addition, the paper elaborates on the object-centred design approach in energy-efficient housing concepts causing lack of user interaction between resident, building and climate. First, the lack of knowledge of the resident about the operation of the complex systems induces inefficient occupant behaviour. Secondly, the highly insulated building skin generates a constant indoor climate that is isolated from the varying outdoor climate. Third, the static structure of the built environment does not respond to the diversified occupation pattern of the resident. To conclude, the paper proposes an alternative, user-centred dwelling concept: a dynamic way of living throughout the seasons. The concept promotes more efficient occupant behaviour and focuses less on optimizing the building envelope with additional materials and active systems. The review is presented by means of a conceptual framework containing three main design criteria and additional design support.