Expandable Houses: An Explorative Life Cycle Cost Analysis

Abstract

In addition to the environmental burden of its construction and demolition activities, the Flemish housing market faces a structural affordability challenge. As one possible answer, this research explores the potential of so-called expandable houses, being built increasingly often. Through specific design choices that enable the disassembly and future reuse of individual components and so align with the idea of a circular economy, expandable houses promise to provide ever-changing homes with a smaller impact on the environment and at a lower cost for clients. In this paper, an expandable house suitable for various housing needs is conceived through a scenario-based research-by-design approach and compared to a reference house for Flanders. Subsequently, for both houses the life cycle costs are calculated and compared. The results of this exploration support the proposition that designing expandable houses can be a catalyst for sustainable, circular housing development and that households could benefit from its social, economic and ecological qualities. It requires, however, a dynamic perspective on evaluating their life-cycle impact.

The equitable housing workshop. Mapping and improving stakeholders’ decision-making process for circular equitable housing projects.

“…Cambier, C. et al define circular building methods that can decrease even initial costs by 40%. They consider the flexibility of a circular design and expect people to expand and contract their homes, depending on their needs [4]. Galle et al compare different scenarios for the renovation of an apartment building through LCC.…”

“…Research has already been IOP Publishing doi:10.1088/1755-1315/1122/1/012024 2 done, indicating more long-term financial savings in circular housing projects compared to conventional building methods. [3,4] Few researchers mention circular building in relation to housing quality or its relation to the decision mechanism behind the design process of housing projects. Since these decisions should not only be based on costs, but also on social factors and practical considerations, it is important to take a systemic approach, considering these factors.…”

Flatpack Emergency Homes: A Sustainable Future for Temporary Housing

“…Some authors and organisa�ons emphasise that successful temporary accommoda�on should be transi�onal or expandable (Cambier et al, 2021;Carrasco & O'Brien, 2022;Shelter Centre, 2012). The Transi�onal Shelter Guidelines (2012) explain how using an incremental construc�on method will save both �me and money for the users (Fig 2.9).…”

“…If construc�on can be completed incrementally, to gradually upgrade a building as more �me and resource becomes available, this is be�er than the standard format of each stage being constructed separately and discarded a�er use. There are three main design approaches to transi�onal housing as defined by Cambier et al (2021), the core house (Fig 2 .10), modular volumes (Fig 2.11) and over-dimensioning (Fig 2.12). The core house should have all its necessi�es built into a small core (bathroom, kitchen, small living area, but have space allowed for the design to be expanded either upwards or outwards.…”

“…The core house should have all its necessi�es built into a small core (bathroom, kitchen, small living area, but have space allowed for the design to be expanded either upwards or outwards. These extensions could be a new level to the house or a new deck (Cambier et al, 2021). Modular volumes are similar to the core house, except they rely on standardised modules that can be repeated to form larger spaces.…”