Design optimisation and prototyping for affordable rural housing: digitisation, automation and robotics options for the Integra House

Project Description

The current shortage of rural area new-build homes calls for innovation and improved productivity. There is a current need for housing construction to catch up and develop in tandem with social, economic, scientific, and technological advancements. The project therefore focuses on design optimisation and prototyping for digitally integrated production of affordable rural housing. This offers potential for transformative, faster and scalable production; and greater potential for attracting the digital generation into housing construction than traditional methods. It involves iterations of CAD, energy and environmental simulation, structural and capital/life cycle cost analysis of truss options of whole and milled timber combinations, versus existing solutions. Two key elements of prototyping: novelty and performance testing, will be met by producing, assembling, and evaluating productivity of digital/robotic versus artisan production and assembly of parts, and full scale truss options. These will help articulate the cost-effective optimum, meeting requirements for structural strength, breathable construction, and low-energy. The main impacts will be affordability and access to good quality rural housing, reduction of rural fuel poverty, improvement of health and well-being of occupants, and contribution to climate change mitigation via circular economy, and waste and CO2 reductions.

In collaboration with Glasgow School of Art, Pasquill Ltd, Sylvan Stuart Ltd and Construction Scotland Innovation Centre