Urban Village Project : Multi-functional, Multi-generational Subscription Housing
Team: Ikea Space 10 Design Lab and EFFEKT Architects
Location: Denmark
Source: https://www.effekt.dk/urbanvillage
Sustainable Construction
Sustainable home construction refers to the practice of creating homes that are designed and built with consideration for the environment. This includes using natural and non-toxic materials, maximising energy efficiency and reducing waste during the building process. Sustainable homes are typically designed to be durable, low-maintenance and eco-friendly, helping to reduce the impact of human activity on the environment. They may include features like green roofs, solar panels, rainwater harvesting and natural bio-filtration systems to further reduce energy consumption and waste.
Examples of Sustainable Home Construction:
- Eco-friendly.
- Multi-purpose.
- Prefabricated.
- Modular.
- Tiny.
- Flex.
- Passive.
Eco-friendly Homes
Eco-friendly homes are designed to be environmentally responsible, comfortable to live in and constructed from sustainable and renewable, or recycled materials and designed to be energy-efficient to reduce the carbon footprint and often feature passive solar design, which uses solar energy to help heat the house and other green technologies like rainwater harvesting, composting toilets and geothermal heating and cooling systems.
Multi-purpose Homes
The trend of multi-purpose spaces is here to stay. In the world of work-from-home and where personal health and wellness are top priorities, it is important to make good functional use of the space in homes. Examples are a home office that doubles as a craft room, a school or study space tucked in a family room, a reading nook or meditation yoga space in a bedroom, or a conservatory kitchen that doubles as a design and product development studio.
New multi-purpose homes can be designed and pre-fabricated in modular portable sections that fit together on site.
Prefabricated Homes
These well-designed, high-tech, state-of-the-art homes are built in sections or modules in a factory and then transported to the site where they can be quickly assembled and installed on a foundation. Prefabricated homes are becoming increasingly popular due to their affordability, speed of construction and high-quality construction standards. They are available in a wide range of styles and sizes and can be customised to meet the specific needs of the homeowner.
Prefabricated homes are often used as temporary or semi-permanent housing options for people who need to move frequently, such as military families, seasonal workers, or people who work in remote locations. Some of these homes are also used as emergency accommodation after natural disasters, providing a safe and comfortable place for people to stay while their homes are being repaired or rebuilt.
Prefabricated modules can also be used as additional hotel rooms, classrooms, retail units, or clinics.
Modular Homes
Modular homes are built in an indoor factory environment, are constructed faster than traditional homes and not affected by weather conditions during the construction process. Modular homes are considered to be more energy-efficient than site-built homes, since they're built with tighter seams and higher-quality insulation, resulting in lower heating and cooling costs. These homes are built to the same codes as traditional site-built homes and can be customised to meet the specific needs of the homeowner and are known for their efficiency, affordability and eco-friendliness. A basic unit can be purchased as a starter home and modules can be added as the family expands and the same modules can then later be moved into the garden to create a separate dwelling space for a student or elderly parent, or a garden work-from-home space, studio or gym, or sold. Modular homes are also a great solution to provide shelter for the homeless, or as an option for people to move into areas that are usually considered unaffordable.
Tiny Homes
Tiny homes are small, compact and often customised living spaces, that typically range from 10 to 70 square meters. They are designed to maximise space and functionality, often featuring clever storage solutions and multi-purpose furniture. Tiny homes are a popular choice for those who want to simplify their lives, reduce their energy consumption and environmental footprint and live a more affordable, minimalist lifestyle.
The impact of this trend is presenting unique challenges to Architectural, Interior and Industrial Designers, as use of the small space needs to minimise inconvenience for the residents. Space-saving solutions like omitting walls, using more windows and sliding doors and multifunctional furniture are employed in the detailing.
Tiny homes are not for everyone, but is a good option as starter homes, or for people who are keen to downsize.
Flex Homes
Flexibility is the latest buzzword in design and the concept of 'subscription-living and renter-by-choice' that transitioned out of the sharing economy, is becoming a new and more attractive homeownership model, particularly for those who favour experience over ownership, a social trend that developed from hybrid work and digital nomadic lifestyles, allowing people greater flexibility of the area and time they want to remain in a specific locality.
A Flex House is the physical manifestation of this trend and is designed to be highly adaptable and multi-functional. This type of modular home sits at the interplay between Industrial Design, Precision Engineering and clever Technology, is highly customisable to suit the needs of the homeowner and can easily be expanded or contracted, as required. The idea behind Flex Design is to create a home that is more sustainable, efficient and affordable than traditional homes, while also being more comfortable and convenient for the people who live in it.
Adaptable furniture takes the concept a step further and allows the occupant to rearrange the living space according to the tasks at hand, for example, a foldaway bed creates space for a foldable work station. Alternatively, the bed can be mechanically lifted to gain access to a spa bath or sunken lounge space underneath, or a bookshelf on castors can be moved to create privacy or an extra room. The latest designs are flat-packed and can easily be screwed together onsite and later disassembled and reconfigured into different spaces.
Passive Homes
Passive homes are highly energy-efficient buildings that are designed to maintain a comfortable indoor environment while reducing the energy consumption of the building. They are built with airtight insulation, high-performance windows and a mechanical ventilation system that captures and repurposes heat from the indoor air. This means that passive homes require very little energy to heat and cool, resulting in significant energy savings and a reduced carbon footprint.
Sustainable Systems
Green roofs
Green roofs provide eco benefits by insulating a home, preventing energy loss, increasing oxygen levels and protecting a roof from the elements, helping it last longer.
Heating Systems
Correct orientation, proper insulation and double or triple glazed windows for better sound insulation and energy savings are the best ways of ensuring comfortable temperatures within the home. Eco-friendly heating systems are designed to reduce carbon emissions and minimise the impact on the environment. There are a variety of eco-friendly options available, such as geothermal, solar and biomass heating. Geothermal heating uses the natural heat of the earth to warm the home, while solar heating uses energy from the sun to heat water, which is then circulated through the home. Biomass heating involves burning renewable organic materials like wood chips, logs and pellets for heat but where possible, the use of biofuels should be phased out, as it is a cause of deforestation.
Water Harvesting Systems
Water harvesting systems are innovative technologies designed to capture, store and utilise rainwater or other sources of water for various purposes. These systems can range from simple, low-tech solutions, such as rain barrels or cisterns, to more complex systems that incorporate pumps, filters and other components.
The main goal of a water harvesting system is to collect and store water, to be used for irrigation, washing and other non-potable applications. This not only helps to conserve water but also reduces the demand for costly municipal water supplies or may not be readily available.
Water harvesting systems have environmental benefits, as they help to reduce erosion and runoff, enhance soil quality and support plant growth. Additionally, they are designed to be aesthetically pleasing and add value to a property.
Sustainable Materials
Modular homes can be constructed from a variety of sustainable, eco-friendly materials, like Industrial Hemp, Bamboo, Cork, Wood and Reclaimed Steel.
Hemp
One of the most beneficial plants for construction and a vast range of products is the unequaled Industrial Hemp plant, Cannabis sativa L.
Hemp can be grown quickly and sustainably, making it an eco-friendly and renewable resource for home construction and the manufacture of around 25 000 different products. While hemp is not commonly used in modular home construction yet, it has the potential to become a popular and beneficial option in the future.
Industrial hemp has been grown worldwide for thousands of years, with evidence of its cultivation dating back to ancient civilizations in China and the Middle East. It has been used for a variety of purposes, including textiles, paper, food and medicine. In recent years, the re-legalisation of hemp has led to renewed interest in its potential as an incredibly sustainable and environmentally-friendly crop, with a wide range of uses that contribute positively to human health and the health of the planet and can even be used to clean up polluted soil, making it a useful tool for environmental remediation.
Hemp is becoming a popular eco-friendly material for home construction due to its sustainability and durability properties. It requires minimal amounts of water and no fertiliser or pesticides compared to other crops and typically has a three-month growing cycle, which means it can be harvested more frequently, leading to less land usage. According to research, industrial hemp can sequester significantly more carbon per acre than trees. While a typical tree absorbs around 20 kilograms of carbon dioxide (CO2) per year and around one ton of CO2 over a lifetime of 100 years, Industrial Hemp is twice as effective at absorbing and locking up carbon, as one hectare (2.5 acres) of hemp can absorb 8 to 22 tons of CO2 per year, more than any woodland.
Hemp plants absorb significant amounts of carbon dioxide from the air during the process of photosynthesis and this carbon is stored within the plant's fibers. When these fibers are used to create building materials, the carbon remains locked away within the material. Because hemp is a natural, renewable resource, it can be grown and harvested on a continuous basis, continuing the process of carbon sequestration and helping to reduce overall carbon emissions.
Hemp buildings offer a number of benefits. They help improve indoor air quality by reducing the presence of harmful chemicals and pollutants and possess natural insulation properties, which help regulate temperature and humidity levels within a building, leading to a more comfortable living or working environment and reduce the risk of mold growth and other moisture-related issues.
Hempcrete, which is made from a mixture of hemp hurds (the woody inner core of the hemp plant), lime and water, is a lightweight, breathable and energy-efficient material used as a plaster that is great for insulation and reducing energy costs. Hempcrete also has natural mold and pest resistance, it is fire-resistant and has a much smaller eco footprint than traditional concrete. It continues to sequester CO2 for up to one hundred years post-construction, making hemp buildings more durable over time.
Finally, because hemp is a plant-based material, it is biodegradable and can be recycled or composted at the end of its useful life. This makes it a more sustainable and eco-friendly option compared to traditional building materials like concrete, steel, or synthetic insulation.
As more and more people become aware of the benefits and more research is done into potential applications, we will see a lot of exciting developments in the field of construction and hemp-based products.
Bamboo
Bamboo is another amazing plant that has a wide range of uses and benefits. Like hemp, it is a highly sustainable renewable crop that grows quickly and does not require much water or maintenance. It can be used to produce a variety of products, such as clothing, furniture, construction materials and food. In recent years, bamboo has become increasingly popular as a sustainable alternative to traditional materials like wood and cotton. It ihas great potential as an eco-friendly, high-quality, affordable product.
Engineered Laminated bamboo is a versatile and eco-friendly building material that has a high strength-to-weight ratio and is easy to work with. Its durability, stability and resistance to moisture and pests make it ideal for use in structural applications such as post and beam home construction.
The two most common types of bamboo used for construction are commonly known as 'moso' bamboo and 'guadua' bamboo. Moso bamboo is one of the most widely cultivated bamboo varieties and is known for its high strength-to-weight ratio, making it an excellent choice for post and beam construction. Guadua bamboo, on the other hand, is a large and sturdy bamboo species that is native to South America and is often used in the construction of traditional bamboo structures. Both types of bamboo can be used for post and beam modular home construction, but the specific species used will depend on factors such as availability, cost and local building codes.
Black bamboo is a popular choice for wall and floor finishes in modular homes because it is eco-friendly, durable and versatile. It is a renewable resource that grows quickly and can be harvested without damaging the plant. Black bamboo is also resistant to moisture, insects and decay, making it an ideal material for flooring and walls in high-traffic areas. Additionally, the unique texture and color of black bamboo can add a stylish and natural touch to any modular home design.
While hemp and bamboo are incredibly versatile crops with a wide range of uses, they may not be able to fulfill all human requirements for abundant living on their own. However, they can certainly play an important role in promoting sustainability and reducing our reliance on non-renewable resources. By focusing on hemp and bamboo to produce a variety of products, we can reduce our environmental impact and promote a more sustainable way of life, ensuring that future generations will have access to the resources they need to thrive. And as we continue to research and develop new applications for these crops, we may discover even more ways in which they can contribute to our health, prosperity and well-being.
Other sustainable and durable materials that can be used for wall and floor finishes in modular homes include:
Cork
It is a renewable resource and has natural anti-microbial properties that make it resistant to mold and mildew. Cork is also comfortable underfoot and has sound-insulating properties, making it a good choice for flooring.
Reclaimed Wood
This type of wood is salvaged from old buildings and structures and repurposed for use in new modular homes. Reclaimed wood has a unique character that add warmth, patina and texture to a space.
Timber Logs
Healthy Homes Inspired by Nordic Nature
Honka Modular Homes are high-quality prefabricated homes that have been built for the past 65 years by Honkarakenne Plc. in their factory in Finland and then shipped to the building site for final assembly. These homes are designed and built with sustainability and energy efficiency in mind. Their homes are built of renewable wood logs from Finnish sawmills. The raw material is PEFC-certified, natural, non-toxic and sustainably sourced from carefully managed forests. The homes can be customised to fit the specific needs and tastes of each homeowner and are built with a focus on creating a healthy and comfortable living environment, as the antibacterial natural compounds of conifers eliminate bacteria and mold spores from the air and structures. This means that indoor air is healthy and that the structures are durable and free from moisture.
Making a log house results in considerably fewer leftover pieces than the manufacture of a cross-laminated timber house and the small amount of wasted wood material is used for heat energy production and other recycled products.
Conclusions
The current construction model is outdated, inefficient, wasteful, massively polluting and unsustainable. We find ourselves in the midst of monumental shifts in the way we live, work and socially interact and the progression of residential work-live construction models need to reflect those changes and need to be acknowledged and adopted by developers and planning authorities, by the removal of outdated building regulations and the funding of new forms of construction, materials and home ownership to allow the development of sustainability within the industry.
Resources
Award-winning Examples :
https://www.effekt.dk/urbanvillage
https://www.ark-shelter.com
https://kodasema.com
https://www.homestolove.com.au
https://www.designboom.com/architecture/sustainable-wooden-cabin-norwegian-coast-09-30-2020/