A Wholistic Housing Solution for Onsite Construction Workers

Sayali Andhare

Dr. B. N. College of Architecture, Pune, India 

Namrata Dhamankar

Dr. B. N. College of Architecture, Pune, India
Corresponding Author: namrata.dhamankar@bnca.ac.in

Cite this article

Andhare, S., Dhamankar, N., A (2024). Wholistic Housing Solution for Onsite Construction Workers. In Proceedings of Energise 2023-  Lifestyle, Energy Efficiency, and Climate Action, pp 01–07, Alliance for an Energy Efficient Economy. https://doi.org/10.62576/BLLC4387

Highlights

  • Modular System for onsite construction housing, designed as DIY kit.
  • Wall paneling system designed for thermal insulation.
  • Use of eco cooler
  • Design and prototyping focusing on affordability, scalability, and adaptability.

Abstract

Construction workers are among our cities’ most important service providers, but their contribution to the urban economy is frequently overlooked. Most construction workers are migrants, and the primary reason for their migration is to find good job opportunities along with an improved standard of living. The big question is whether this migration and growth of the infrastructure industry benefits the migrant workers’ standard of living. The primary goal of the research has been to design and test a prototype housing system for onsite construction workers for indoor environmental quality. It presents a part of the ongoing research examining the parameters that influence the onsite housing system for construction workers in terms of building materials, services provided, and indoor environmental comfort. Simulation studies were carried out using Design Builder software to assess the annual performance, operational energy use, and indoor thermal comfort condition of the Business-as-usual case and the proposed design case. The EPI for the Business-as-Usual Case is 31 kWh/m2, while the EPI for the Design Case is 19 kWh/m2. To put the idea to the test, an actual prototype of a construction worker housing system was created and tested for thermal performance and user experience, along with onsite installation and long-term viability. The primary findings of the study are that onsite workers living in modular prefabricated housing can achieve indoor environmental comfort by using a wall paneling system made of paper honeycomb board sandwiched between powder-coated G.I. sheet can provide thermal comfort with additional aluminum bubble wrap insulation for the roof. Lower U values for the wall assembly and the use of Eco coolers, a passive cooling system, have increased thermal comfort and ventilation, respectively. The research also evaluated the affordability, scalability, and adaptability of the suggested prototype for a holistic housing system. The current study’s objective is to assess how well the created unit performs in Pune or another city with a comparable climate.

Keywords

Onsite Construction Workers Housing, Thermal Comfort, Modular Construction, Eco Coolers, Data Loggers

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