housing and climate change related disasters a study on architectural typology and practice

Available online at www.sciencedirect.com ScienceDirect Procedia Engineering 165 (2016) 869 – 875 15th International scientific conference “Underground Urbanisation as a Prerequisite for Sustainable Development” Housing and climate change-related disasters: a study on architectural typology and practice Julija Aleksić a, Saja Kosanović a, Dušan Tomanović a, Mirko Grbić a, Vera Murgul b,* b a The Faculty of Technical Sciences, Kneza Miloša St., Mitrovica, 38220, Serbia Peter the Great Saint-Petersburg Polytechnic University, Polytechnicheskaya, 29, Saint-Petersburg, 195251, Russia Abstract Climate change has become one of the greatest challenges in the XXI century Complete picture of this phenomenon can be formed only by understanding the meaning and scope of both combating methods - mitigation and adaptation A lot of attention in recent time has been given to residential architecture that contributes to climate change mitigation On the other hand, adaptation refers to design approaches that are closely connected to the term 'resilience' By reviewing various architectural examples, this paper studies and classifies housing units that alleviate social implications of climate change-related disasters caused by extreme weather conditions By comparing these new examples with common everyday practice and the overall socioenvironmental context, it can be concluded that there is a need for systemic solutions which integrate both sustainable and climate-resilient design 2016Published The Authors Published by Elsevier Ltd © 2016 © by Elsevier Ltd This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license Peer-review under responsibility of the scientific committee of the 15th International scientific conference “Underground (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/) Peer-review under scientific committee of the 15th International scientific conference “Underground Urbanisation as a Urbanisation as aresponsibility Prerequisite of forthe Sustainable Development Prerequisite for Sustainable Development Keywords: construction project, industrial materials, technology of materials processing, materials science realization, hall, criteria, evaluation; Introduction The Earth's climate is constantly changing: by the beginning of the industrial revolution, climate change was a result of changes in nature Today, however, the term climate change is linked to the events occurring from early * Corresponding author Tel.: +7-950-0101931 E-mail address: october6@list.ru 1877-7058 © 2016 Published by Elsevier Ltd This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/) Peer-review under responsibility of the scientific committee of the 15th International scientific conference “Underground Urbanisation as a Prerequisite for Sustainable Development doi:10.1016/j.proeng.2016.11.786 870 Julija Aleksić et al / Procedia Engineering 165 (2016) 869 – 875 twentieth century and refers to the consequences of anthropogenic influence, massive use of fossil fuels and the accumulation of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere Climate change manifestations have become one of the most important environmental problems in the XXI century, and are therefore subject to a large number of debates and research It is difficult to define the issue of climate change within only one area Therefore, this topic, together with environmental problems, extends through all areas of human activity: from the socio - political field and the economy to the field of culture, spatial and urban planning, and architecture Climate change reinforces existing and create new risks, and has a huge impact on people and ecosystems, posing a threat to sustainable development Limiting the risk of climate change relies on trained management structure and improved ability to respond to the problem (IPCC 2014) [1] in different spheres of human activity It is expected that the implementation of the new global Paris Agreement (from the Conference in Paris, November 30 to December 12, 2015) will establish a long-term climate change mitigation through reduced greenhouse gases emissions A complete picture of the climate change phenomenon can be formed only by understanding the meaning and scope of both combating methods - mitigation and adaptation The architectural contribution to climate change mitigation is based on design and construction of environmentally friendly buildings/structures which during their entire life cycle have reduced negative impact on the environment, including reduction in the emissions of carbon dioxide gas The architecture that contributes to climate change mitigation is above all energy efficient, based on the use of renewable energy resources and materials with a reduced amount of embodied energy Adaptation measures refer to new approaches which include either the achievement of structures' resilience or the planning and design of structures that, after a disaster occurs, can be quickly installed on a safe terrain with the purpose to accommodate population relocated from the affected areas Residential architecture and climate disasters Exploring the most accurate definition of the term disaster, Bell et al (2001) proposed the inclusion of social dimension in the meaning A natural disaster, hence, must disrupt the functioning of the community, and same is the case with disasters caused by anthropogenic factor According to the authors, the climate change, provoking in the built environment the disasters originally caused by natural extreme situations, can be intensified or mitigated depending on human factor [2] The consequences of disasters are numerous: a) health - death, injury, impairment of health and epidemics; b) social - the impoverishment of the segments of affected society; c) psychological - experienced stress leads to mental disorders; d) economic - material damage results in the reduction of national income; e) environmental; and others In 1989, Chambers defined vulnerability as "exposure to cases, stress and difficulties experienced by some communities while coping with unpredictable events and stresses" [3] The concept of urban and architectural planning and design should be directed to the complex requirements of the 21st century and an adequate response to the always present question of whether the buildings are able to provide protection in extreme conditions/events In addition to the application of new technologies and the implementation of passive and active techniques necessary to reduce energy requirements and improve the comfort of users, it is necessary to devote additional attention to the habits and requirements of building users In setting the recommendations and guidelines for the design, aimed at reducing the negative consequences of the climate and the environment, characteristics of a particular social, cultural and economic context should be considered, with the flexibility of the entire system In order to get the right answer to the challenges of climate change, we need to create an environment that is both comfortable and sustainable for all users 2.1 Typology The typology of housing units, which will adequately respond to conditions created by climate change manifestations in the form of extreme weather events, may be established on the basis of: type of disaster, its certainty and the general geographic and climatic conditions, Julija Aleksić et al / Procedia Engineering 165 (2016) 869 – 875 type of housing facilities: resilient structures in which the population safely resides during extreme weather events, or mobile structures for temporary utilization, characteristics of the units (materialization, size, mode of delivery and installation of a mobile structure, base type, etc.) Very important determinants of climate related disasters are the unpredictability and 'surprise' effect The research effort has been directed towards the search for an answer to the question of how unpredictable climate disaster can be converted into the expected, in order to reduce the level of consequences or find a way to avoid it In the case of expected, predictable and recurring disasters, it is possible to form permanent architectural structures which will adequately respond to complex requirements to mitigate the consequences On the other hand, in the case of a sudden disaster, planning, design and construction of emergency housing structures is based on the principles of mobile architecture Regardless of the typological characteristics, all portable structures should have the ability of quick transport from one location to another, and be easily and quickly installed/deinstalled The organization of life in an affected area significantly changes after disaster; as soon as the conditions on site permit, the reconstruction of existing, damaged houses and/or construction of new houses begins The role of mobile structures for housing is to accommodate vulnerable population from the time of the disaster until the conditions stabilize and they return to normal life 2.2 Residential structures for a safe stay during disasters Various case examples of housing structures in which the users may safely reside during disasters were analyzed It was found that the architects, being faced with a huge challenge and responsibility, are directing their professional focus towards designing houses that are resilient and, at the same time, aesthetically pleasant 2.2.1 The concept of 'house within the house’ The team of Q4 Architects, while searching for a solution that will physically protect the users from tornado, proposed the formation of a safe internal space within the home, instead of the traditional shelter beneath it (Figure 1) Fig First floor plan of 'Tornado-Proof House', by Q4 team (source: www.inhabitat.com) 871 872 Julija Aleksić et al / Procedia Engineering 165 (2016) 869 – 875 2.2.2 Amphibious house „Waterstudio’’ After the events of Hurricane Katrina many architectural solutions were presented in order to create resilient structures that will withstand the rising of the water level, and one of the most interesting ideas is the so-called 'amphibious architecture' created by the Dutch company Waterstudio (Figure 2) Pursuing profession in a country where water is the dominant landscape and a constant threat, the architect Koen Olthius has developed a unique technology that allows the structure, together with the pedestal on which it stands, to be separated from the mainland and float in the event of water level increase Fig The 'Amphibious Architecture' (source: www.waterstudio.nl) 2.2.3 BACA floating house A floating house project was developed by architects of BACA Bureau, specialized for the areas affected by floods The foundation that looks like a honeycomb is made of reinforced concrete and air pockets which allows the house to float (Figure 3) When the water starts to flood, the foundation can raise a house to a height of almost three meters This structure is hence optimal solution for the spaces near rivers and other, often flooded areas Fig.3 House for floods by BACA, England (source: www.baca.uk.com) 2.2.4 Amphibious container Architect Richard Moreta from Richard's Architecture + Design company has designed an 'amphibious container' - a home that can 'hover' (Figure 4), by using containers, pallets and inner tires In case of floods, the structure is raised thanks to the thrust of the inner parts, sliding along the vertical guides The house can be controlled to a water level of 2.5 m [4], in accordance with predicted water rise Local environment plays a key role in determining the factors that make a building elastic, so the elastic design is always locally specific [5] Julija Aleksić et al / Procedia Engineering 165 (2016) 869 – 875 Fig 'Amphibious Container' (source: www.green-container-intl-aid.com) 2.3Mobile houses for affected population 2.3.1 AbleNook Architects Verdecia and Ross came up with an idea to build an inexpensive, flexible and mobile system in urgent and emergency situations during natural disasters - 'AbleNook' (Figure 5) This is a prefabricated prototype that stands on the legs adjustable to different environments or uneven terrain, and has integrated solar panels for independent power generation [6] By combining multiple modules, larger housing units can be created Fig.5 'AbleNook' (Source: www.inhabitat.com) 2.3.2 Lab Zero Architect Galvagni has designed several variants of structure 'Lab Zero', using the rules of the redesign of a container through the creative conversion and design of objects that are independent of location [7] All units are designed according to the dimensions of the container, with the possibility of expansion and contraction - depending on weather conditions and the required location These are anthropomorphic imitations of living organisms and have the shape of a spider The units can be lowered from the air and set up anywhere, thanks to the adjustable legs and the possibility of subsequent expansion of the space 873 874 Julija Aleksić et al / Procedia Engineering 165 (2016) 869 – 875 2.3.3 The Clear Hub 'The Clear Hub' is a shelter designed by students of the University of Minnesota for the Architecture for Humanity competition This is a free-standing structure that can be placed in inaccessible places where there is no infrastructure around or the infrastructure was previously destroyed in the disaster [8] Fig 'The Clear Hub' (source: www.inhabitat.com) 2.3.4 Ex-Container project 'The Ex-Container Project' is a work of the group led by Yasutaka Yoshimura, with the intention of using shipping containers for housing after a disaster (Figure 7) The prototype is a mobile structure with the possibility of becoming permanent architecture; applied materials are based on the tradition of Japan [9] Fig The Ex-Container' (source: www.casascontenedores.com) Conclusion Climate change is beginning to transform life on Earth; the threat to living beings is big, temperature is becoming extreme, and sea levels are rising The review of examples of architectural responses to disasters and practical recommendations show that there is no single 'best' 'option Based on the foregoing, there is a distinguished question of how to deal with the subject of building in the future that will certainly be marked by even greater consequences of climate change Also, there is a question of treatment of existing building stock for the purposes of future Julija Aleksić et al / Procedia Engineering 165 (2016) 869 – 875 adaptations to climate impacts As a first step, it is important to raise individual and collective awareness about ways of response and adaptation in relation to global catastrophes caused by climate change Design and construction, and exploitation of the presented examples of buildings in crisis areas will enable the creation and development of new identity in a complex social context If there is a need for a house that can withstand floods, that operates independently from the power grid, that has a tolerable temperature in the interior with no additional energy requirements for heating nor cooling, that has its own water sources or that is safe enough to protect its inhabitants from extreme weather events, the question stands whether today’s safety practices are safe or not References [1] IPCC (2014) Chapter, Climate Change 2014, Synthesis Report, Summary for Policymakers Information on https://www.ipcc.ch/pdf/assessment-report/ar5/syr/AR5_SYR_FINAL_SPM.pdf [2] P.A Bell, T.C Greene, J.D Fisher, A Baum, Environmental Psychology Fifth edition New York and London: Psychology Press [3] R Chambers, Vulnerability, Coping and Policy Information on http://ipcc-wg2.gov/njlite_download.php?id=5783 [4] B Meinhold, Floating Container Houses Proposed for Pakistan Flood, Inhabitat - Sustainable Design Innovation Information on http://inhabitat.com/floating-container-houses-proposed-for-pakistan-flood/ [5] J Fehrenbacher, Resilient Design: Is Resilience the New Sustainability? Inhabitat - Sustainable Design Innovation Information on http://inhabitat.com/resilient-design-is-resilience-the-new-sustainability/ [6] B Borgobello, AbleNook portable dwelling assembles in two hours, Gizmag Information on http://www.gizmag.com/ablenook-portabledwelling-assembles-in-2-hours/25858/ [7] Design ideas daily, Portable Prefabs: Location-Independent Modular Homes, Dornob Information on http://dornob.com/portable-prefabslocation-independent-modular-homes/ [8] E Pilloton, Prefab friday: Clean Hub, Inhabitat - Sustainable Design Innovation Information on http://inhabitat.com/prefab-friday-cleanhub/clean-hub-emergency-housing-emergency-architecture-shelter-architecture-architecture-for-humanity-water-purification-2/ [9] B Liggett, Ex-Container Project Provides Shipping Container Housing for Victims of Japan Earthquake, Inhabitat - Sustainable Design Innovation Information on http://inhabitat.com/ex-container-project-provides-shipping-container-housing-for-victims-of-japan-earthquake [10] Green Container International Aid, Rebuilding with green technology, [online] Information on http://green-container-intlaid.com/our_homes_and_master_planning_services 875