Assessment of Zero Energy Prefabricated Accessory Dwelling Units in Support of New Zealand Housing Needs

<p>Problem statement: The demographics of New Zealand are changing and the country is getting older. The literature shows the housing needs of older people are different, and that many would prefer to stay in their existing neighbourhood and age in place. In addition to the shortage of houses, low residential densities, the fast growth of land and house costs over income, and an aging population are all current issues in New Zealand housing. Projections also show the shortage of energy resources and environmental pollution will affect the future of housing, as the housing industry is responsible for over one-third of global energy use and CO₂ emissions. Aim of the research: This thesis aims to design and evaluate the practicality and efficiency of a prefabricated Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) as a partial response to New Zealand housing needs. Prefabrication was selected as the method of construction as it has been claimed to be more efficient in terms of energy and material use, as well as leading to a shorter construction time and lower environmental impacts. The use of ADUs could increase residential density and add to the housing stock by using existing developed land and infrastructure. ADUs also offer smaller houses within the existing social context, which the literature suggests is the main housing requirement of older people. As a result, the ADU in this research was designed to suit older residents, whilst recognising that it would also be suitable for small households of all ages. Methodology: This research used design as a tool with which to explore the potential of prefabricated ADUs as a contribution to New Zealand housing needs. The design was then tested against housing needs by using Life Cycle Analysis (LCA). This part of the research was conducted in the three phases of life-cycle energy, life-cycle cost, and life cycle CO₂ emissions of the ADU as designed. Results: While the transport limitations pushed the design to be narrow (the maximum allowed load width was 2.55m), the Lifemark accessibility standard asked for doors, corridors, and spaces wide enough to ease the movement of disabled people. Despite these difficulties, it was possible to design an ADU which could be manufactured in New Zealand and transported anywhere in the country without any need for over-dimension load permissions. However, the analysis in the last phase, looking at the ADU during its life span, showed there was no substantial difference between its performance and that traditionally made houses. The results of the analysis suggest that, despite the importance of the construction method, the building energy efficiency, CO₂ emissions and cost, the environmental impact of a house is more dependent on the choice of materials than the method of making it. Future research: The results suggest the importance of further investigation into the choice of materials used to make residential buildings and the effect such choices have on life-cycle impact. There is also a need to seek feedback on the ADU as designed from both potential users and potential manufacturers.</p>

Assessment of Zero Energy Prefabricated Accessory Dwelling Units in Support of New Zealand Housing Needs

<p>Problem statement: The demographics of New Zealand are changing and the country is getting older. The literature shows the housing needs of older people are different, and that many would prefer to stay in their existing neighbourhood and age in place. In addition to the shortage of houses, low residential densities, the fast growth of land and house costs over income, and an aging population are all current issues in New Zealand housing. Projections also show the shortage of energy resources and environmental pollution will affect the future of housing, as the housing industry is responsible for over one-third of global energy use and CO₂ emissions. Aim of the research: This thesis aims to design and evaluate the practicality and efficiency of a prefabricated Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) as a partial response to New Zealand housing needs. Prefabrication was selected as the method of construction as it has been claimed to be more efficient in terms of energy and material use, as well as leading to a shorter construction time and lower environmental impacts. The use of ADUs could increase residential density and add to the housing stock by using existing developed land and infrastructure. ADUs also offer smaller houses within the existing social context, which the literature suggests is the main housing requirement of older people. As a result, the ADU in this research was designed to suit older residents, whilst recognising that it would also be suitable for small households of all ages. Methodology: This research used design as a tool with which to explore the potential of prefabricated ADUs as a contribution to New Zealand housing needs. The design was then tested against housing needs by using Life Cycle Analysis (LCA). This part of the research was conducted in the three phases of life-cycle energy, life-cycle cost, and life cycle CO₂ emissions of the ADU as designed. Results: While the transport limitations pushed the design to be narrow (the maximum allowed load width was 2.55m), the Lifemark accessibility standard asked for doors, corridors, and spaces wide enough to ease the movement of disabled people. Despite these difficulties, it was possible to design an ADU which could be manufactured in New Zealand and transported anywhere in the country without any need for over-dimension load permissions. However, the analysis in the last phase, looking at the ADU during its life span, showed there was no substantial difference between its performance and that traditionally made houses. The results of the analysis suggest that, despite the importance of the construction method, the building energy efficiency, CO₂ emissions and cost, the environmental impact of a house is more dependent on the choice of materials than the method of making it. Future research: The results suggest the importance of further investigation into the choice of materials used to make residential buildings and the effect such choices have on life-cycle impact. There is also a need to seek feedback on the ADU as designed from both potential users and potential manufacturers.</p>

Virtually Home - An Innovative Methodology for Identifying the Housing Needs of Marganalised Communities

<p>Home is an experience universally sought after. It is a desire somehow and somewhere built into us as humans. Yet for marginalised groups understanding what makes ‘home’ is made difficult by various technical and cost barriers. This thesis proposes an innovative methodology – using immersive virtual reality technology coupled with 3D scanning processes, to facilitate an understanding of the meaning of home for both designers an marginalised groups. Several characteristics of virtual reality are explored through a review of literature to identify the potential application of this technology as an alternative method of spatial inhabitation. Concurrently, research exploring the meaning of home and existing qualitative methodologies are analysed to establish a methodological framework for use in the current work. A pilot study applying the proposed methodology, attempts to identify the potential of immersive virtual reality, as a tool to identify what makes home for participants in the context of their own homes. As such the data generated using this methodology informs a design solution applying the qualities of home identified. The methodology proposed enables a process for identifying how the intangible nature of home is expressed within the design of housing. As such it becomes possible for both architects and their clients to ‘see’ what makes home.</p>

Virtually Home - An Innovative Methodology for Identifying the Housing Needs of Marganalised Communities

<p>Home is an experience universally sought after. It is a desire somehow and somewhere built into us as humans. Yet for marginalised groups understanding what makes ‘home’ is made difficult by various technical and cost barriers. This thesis proposes an innovative methodology – using immersive virtual reality technology coupled with 3D scanning processes, to facilitate an understanding of the meaning of home for both designers an marginalised groups. Several characteristics of virtual reality are explored through a review of literature to identify the potential application of this technology as an alternative method of spatial inhabitation. Concurrently, research exploring the meaning of home and existing qualitative methodologies are analysed to establish a methodological framework for use in the current work. A pilot study applying the proposed methodology, attempts to identify the potential of immersive virtual reality, as a tool to identify what makes home for participants in the context of their own homes. As such the data generated using this methodology informs a design solution applying the qualities of home identified. The methodology proposed enables a process for identifying how the intangible nature of home is expressed within the design of housing. As such it becomes possible for both architects and their clients to ‘see’ what makes home.</p>

Impact of Having an Early Briefing among Residents/Owners in Reducing Strata Disputes in Malaysia

Strata living is now a trend of community life in urban areas. With the limited use of land as a residential area, strata development has become the main agenda of developers to meet the demand for housing needs. Nevertheless, the notion of living close to each other and shared facilities induced inevitable strata disputes among strata dwellers and relevant authorities alike in the past. It was so prevalent that it compelled the government to enact a new and more comprehensive Strata Management Act in 2015. This research aims to identify common strata disputes that arise, and whether an early briefing can help to reduce strata disputes in Malaysia. The researchers adopted quantitative methods using descriptive analysis from 56 respondents to achieve the objectives. The findings from this research demonstrate that those residents are keen to participate in an early briefing, and have demonstrated the importance of early briefings to residents in order to minimise disputes. Thus, early briefings can address residents’ concerns at an early stage, and this can reduce strata disputes in the future. It is hoped that this research can give insight into strata management and prove that early briefing can be adopted as a standard practice to lessen strata disputes in strata development and management in the country.

Appropriate Housing Typologies, Effective Land Management and the Question of Density in Muscat, Oman

The Sultanate of Oman has been undergoing massive changes in the last 50 years. The Gulf State transformed from a very traditional and isolated country into a wealthy and modern state. After Sultan Said was enthroned in 1970, the young Sultan Qaboos, who passed away in 2020, began to modernise Oman’s economy and society. Today, widespread, single-family houses are the prevailing residential building type, with an urban sprawl characterised by mono-functional zoning and a dependency on motorized individual transport with long commuting distances. All these conditions have been strongly supported by governmental planning policies. Since this urban sprawl causes unsustainable land consumption, this study addresses options for urban development and housing typologies aiming at a compact city with a higher density. However, the term density has to reflect local cultural and climatic conditions and, in time of the pandemic as special focus of this issue, has to be critically discussed and reviewed. Thus, this study identifies, as a base line study in Muscat Capital Area, Omani residents’ housing needs by an online questionnaire survey focusing on housing layouts, features and locational preferences, exploring alternatives to the current situation. Findings are that housing needs do not necessarily demand a single-family building but can be achieved better by different housing layouts, at the same time supporting social distances measures via outdoor options during the pandemic.

Shared Living, Shared Strength: Housing and Single Parenthood

<p><b>The number of single parent families in New Zealand is increasing. This household type is forecasted to represent twenty percent of all families in the country by 2021. Despite the growing concern over these families, the majority of New Zealand’s existing housing stock fails to address their housing needs.</b></p> <p>Single parent families often hold the following housing needs as important – affordability, accessibility to services, a sense of community, safety and security, and a positive image. The research investigates how housing in New Zealand can be designed to fit more closely to these needs.</p> <p>A review of architectural literature and leading practice is conducted to find the relevant architectural ideas that can help to address these needs. Ideas include alternative housing strategies (i.e. work-live arrangements, cohousing, mixed-use and integrated living), concepts for the creation of social space, Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED), guidelines for designing safer homes for children, methods of creating barrier-free design and approaches to reducing operating costs in housing.Through a reinterpretation of these ideas, a new housing exemplar is designed within the context of Wellington City. The research acknowledges that the design in this thesis is only supported in theory. An actual construction of a design with similar parameters is required in order to test and consolidate the ideas further. Nevertheless this thesis demonstrates how housing design can begin to service single parent families in New Zealand.</p>

Shared Living, Shared Strength: Housing and Single Parenthood

<p><b>The number of single parent families in New Zealand is increasing. This household type is forecasted to represent twenty percent of all families in the country by 2021. Despite the growing concern over these families, the majority of New Zealand’s existing housing stock fails to address their housing needs.</b></p> <p>Single parent families often hold the following housing needs as important – affordability, accessibility to services, a sense of community, safety and security, and a positive image. The research investigates how housing in New Zealand can be designed to fit more closely to these needs.</p> <p>A review of architectural literature and leading practice is conducted to find the relevant architectural ideas that can help to address these needs. Ideas include alternative housing strategies (i.e. work-live arrangements, cohousing, mixed-use and integrated living), concepts for the creation of social space, Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED), guidelines for designing safer homes for children, methods of creating barrier-free design and approaches to reducing operating costs in housing.Through a reinterpretation of these ideas, a new housing exemplar is designed within the context of Wellington City. The research acknowledges that the design in this thesis is only supported in theory. An actual construction of a design with similar parameters is required in order to test and consolidate the ideas further. Nevertheless this thesis demonstrates how housing design can begin to service single parent families in New Zealand.</p>