Design issues for net zero-energy buildings

Abstract

In response to growing global warming issues and the constant increase of energy prices, house-builders and housing manufacturers today are becoming more responsive to the delivery of net zero energy sustainable homes than ever. Within this context, the sustainability may embrace housing economy and adequacy beyond the legitimacy in which the quality barely coincides with individuals’ dynamic various needs, desires and expectations. Nevertheless, the industry’s business operation tends to follow routines and the close system mode of operation often hinders the enterprises from adopting unfamiliar innovations which may be inevitable in realising the delivery and operation of socially, economically and environmentally sustainable homes. In this special issue, the notion of ‘mass customisation’ is reviewed. This paradoxical concept has been recognised as a means to lessen production costs of end-user products while achieving the customisability through economies of scope rather than economies of scale. Housing is no exception. The idea dates back to the 1950s as the gravity became explicit in Walter Gropius’ book entitled ‘Scope of Total Architecture.’ The essence of mass customisation applied to housing was speculated as he emphasized the need for ‘standardising and mass-producing not entire houses, but only their component parts which can then be assembled into various types of houses.’ This edition encompasses a wide spectrum of hopes and fears around the design, production and marketing approaches to both delivery and operation of zero-energy/emission mass custom homes, or ZEMCH, and showcases some exemplars budding out in different climates around the globe. This issue is developed in collaboration with ZEMCH Network and IEA SHC/ECBCS Task 40/Annex 52 international experts with the aim to solidify today’s diverse expertise in the realm as elicited research paradigms for further exploration and delivery of the homes that meet the wants and needs of individuals and society