| Abstract |
This paper aims to examine the integration of environmental systems and strategies in environmentally friendly and technologically advanced, off-grid prefabricated housing units. The study is based on a comprehensive precedent and literature review of current and proposed applications of prefabricated assembly methods and their inherent potential, in terms of both design and construction, to incorporate the integration of the systems mentioned above. A fundamental classification and taxonomy of the current state of the field was performed, based on three key design aspects pertaining to the issue of environmental design: Energy efficient structures, bioclimatic design and ecological approach to design. All cases are addressed in terms of the challenges faced in optimizing the overall design performance so that it leads to an affordable and spatially flexible and site adaptable construction and also in minimizing the units' lifecycle operational costs with an emphasis on energy consumption. Based on the above taxonomy and optimization techniques, the research team is working on a new, off-grid prefabricated residential model, the "Prefab Eco Smart House", aiming to blend prefabrication technology, bioclimatic design, integration of renewable energy sources, innovation in architectural design, comfort and technological excellence. The ultimate aim of this effort is to critically present the range of typologies and their various alternatives, which can be applied on a "green" prefabricated building unit in Cyprus, in ways which optimize its design and energy potential. (C) 2020 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. |
