Steel in residential buildings for adaptable and sustainable construction: Fid-Bau Portal

Steel in residential buildings for adaptable and sustainable construction

Lawson, R.M. / Ogden, R.G. / Aromaa, P. / Nieminen, J. / Bergersson, B. / Widman, J. / Fattorini, F. / Luig, K. / Beguin, P.

Abstract

This demonstration project is concerned with the next generation of steel construction in the residential sector, which provides flexible and adaptable living space by new sustainable construction systems and which meets new standards of energy efficiency and reduces environmental impact. In this project, a series of demonstration buildings were designed, constructed and monitored in order to demonstrate the benefits of various forms of steel construction in terms of prefabrication of components including modular units, adaptability for change of use and different occupancy patterns, high standards of energy efficiency and acoustic performance, good levels of sustainability in terms of minimum embodied and operational energy, reduced resources and waste. for example a 'hybrid' modular and panel method of building was developed and demonstrated by a prototype two-storey building using a combination of modules, floor and wall panels. Modules were used for the highly serviced parts and circulation areas. In Germany, an apartment building with five to eight units has been designed, known as the Generation House. This building can be extended as family sizes change. In Sweden, an 'OpenHouse' system has been developed, which has been used in an important residential scheme in Helsingborg, north-west of Malmö. The project consists of 29 apartments, and the structure comprises a primary steel frame, wall panels and modules in two-storey and one four-storey building. As a general introduction to the concept of 'sustainability', various criteria were developed by which the demonstration buildings could be assessed in terms of sustainability.