Sustainable innovative affordable housing initiative (SIAH-I)

Abstract

Improving sustainability of affordable housing using innovative technologies: case study of SIAH-Livable

Rapid urbanisation poses a significant challenge in providing affordable and sustainable housing. However, the emergence of sustainable design methods, new materials and innovative building technologies have been projected to enhance the design and effective delivery of sustainable, innovative, affordable housing (SIAH). The current study undertakes the various sustainable design techniques, materials and technologies for designing the SIAH for the South African climate, according to the South African building codes. The SIAH-Livable building performance regarding the energy embodied energy demand and water usage compared to the conventional low-cost housing using EDGE Buildings App. The result validated that SIAH-Livable required less water and energy by 55.17% and 21.06%, respectively and reduced the energy embodied of houses by 66.9%, while the construction cost is still in the bracket of low-cost housing defined by the South African government. Moreover, the results of the SIAH-Livable analysis proved that utilising appropriate design techniques, new materials, and technologies not only improves the sustainability of the house but also improves the house's affordability by reducing the house's lifecycle cost. It was concluded that sustainable design techniques such as passive design, recycled and local materials, and innovative technologies are adequate mechanisms to improve a house's sustainability and affordability and develop SIAH.