CASA+: highly energy-efficient housing system for the central-south of Chile
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to introduce the results of a research carried out to develop a prototype of a highly energy-efficient modular detached house, called CASA+ CASA means HOUSE in spanish, adapted to the climatic features of central-southern Chile. The project enables a sustainable alternative to facilitate the reconstruction of the residential areas after the impact of the 2010 earthquake.
Design/methodology/approach
The methodology is based on an “integrated design process” of a case study that proposes a constructive response that quantitatively and qualitatively improves the initial data of traditional dwellings. The characteristics of the new system have been simulated with specific software to validate the final decisions, considering the cost–benefit ratio.
Findings
Simulation tools were used to assess and improve the system’s energy performance with respect to present options and to analyse its economic and construction viability. We obtained several economically competitive housing prototypes that substantially reduced energy consumption and the CO2 footprint by between 20% and 80%.
Research limitations/implications
The prototype has not been developed, as we are waiting for funding, but all its energy features have been simulated.
Practical implications
Furthermore, this experience also identified similar modifications made to the design of the houses, which revealed general possibilities for improving energy performance.
Social implications
The origin of this research is a public call for international researchers to improve the quality of the new homes to be built in Chile after the strong earthquake of 2010. The result of the research has been put at the direct service of Chilean society and in other international projects for the construction of low-energy social housing.
Originality/value
These are the result of a long research aimed at establishing a new architectural model that, in addition to improving the architectural quality of the product, obtains significant improvements in energy consumption and CO2 emissions. The most particular aspect is the practical vocation and its implementation with real construction with the support of construction companies.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This article was developed as part of the research projects MEL 81100003 “Integrated Design for the Reconstruction of Energy Efficient Housing” and FONDECYT 1171108. Both have been developed by the Universidad del Bío -Bío (Concepción, Chile) with the support of ACEE (Chilean Agency for Energy Efficiency-Spanish initials of Agencía Chilena de la eficiencia energetica) and CONICYT (National Agency for Scientific and Technological Research). The authors wish to especially thank both the professionals and the students who voluntarily agreed to participate in the case studies. We especially thank Muriel Díaz and Gerth Wandersleben, architects of the Master in Sustainable Housing and Energy Efficiency at UBB, for their support.
Citation
Celis-D’Amico, F., Echeverria-Valiente, E., Garcia-Alvarado, R., Escorcia-Oyola, O. and da Casa-Martín, F. (2023), "CASA+: highly energy-efficient housing system for the central-south of Chile", Construction Innovation, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/CI-12-2021-0241
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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