Barriers and opportunities in the design and delivery of social housing Passivhaus for adaptive comfort

Jing Zhao, Kate Carter

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract / Description of output

This research resides Passivhaus concept under the framework of adaptive comfort, reviews two case studies of social housing Passivhaus communities in Scotland, and explores the occupants' lived experience and their perception of comfort in Passivhaus. The study focuses on the concept of comfort from a socio-technical point of view in order to explore more effective adaptive opportunities that can be integrated at the design stage. Through in-depth interviews with the occupants, site visits and architectural analysis, the research highlights comfort issues in those two social housing Passivhaus projects, and identifies barriers and opportunities for behavioural and psychological adaptations specifically for designing social housing Passivhaus. The findings suggest that the Passivhaus concept has potential opportunities for promoting behavioral and psychological adaptations and sustainable living. However, in order to ensure the energy performance, the design and delivery of Passivhaus system in some cases tends to limit the role of occupants and their adaptive opportunities. The research argues that through careful consideration of architectural and mechanical design, and through effective communication of technology and supportive role of community to establish sustainable social norms, the social housing Passivhaus can provide the opportunity for the occupants to 'co-evolve' with the house itself, and to achieve a transformation to sustainable living.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings - 9th International Windsor Conference 2016
Subtitle of host publicationMaking Comfort Relevant
EditorsFergus Nicol, Susan Roaf, Luisa Brotas, Michael A Humphreys
PublisherNCEUB 2016
Pages1052-1066
Number of pages15
ISBN (Electronic)9780992895730
Publication statusPublished - 7 Apr 2016
Event9th International Windsor Conference 2016: Making Comfort Relevant - Windsor, United Kingdom
Duration: 7 Apr 201610 Apr 2016

Publication series

NameProceedings - 9th International Windsor Conference 2016: Making Comfort Relevant

Conference

Conference9th International Windsor Conference 2016: Making Comfort Relevant
Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
CityWindsor
Period7/04/1610/04/16

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

  • Adaptive comfort
  • Behavioural and psychological adaptations
  • Passivhaus design
  • Social housing
  • Sustainable living

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