ZEMCH 2015 - International Conference Proceedings | Page 453

nents to simplify the home production and construction, having the module as the smaller subdivision. (Dahmus, et al., 2001) (Fig. 3).

Figure 3: Standardisation stage diagram.
The modularisation process could be done by selecting any of the steps of the simplification process (DnA, DnA’, DnA’’ or DnA’’’) depending on the user’s economic solvency. Then, the outcome is
named DnB, where B means that that the design has already been divided in standard modules.
The module division is decided by the designer or constructor trying to increase standardisation
and to find the simplest way the components could be produced (Noguchi & Hadjri, 2010). It is
worth to remark that if more quantity of modules are conceived, more is the customisation potential and the user have more control over the design, always considering all the modules should
be properly linked one to each other (Hois, et al., 2009). However, if fewer modules are conceived
the designer have more control over the design and less design time is consumed on the energy
simulations.

Energy efficiency upgrading
The main aim of this stage is ascertain that the proposed design achieve passive house standards,
which assure that the dwelling will generate low CO2 emissions. This stage is composed by consecutive modification loops based on bioclimatic and passive design strategies. Every time the
prototype suffers a modification, the design must be tested in an EST selected to check if it fulfil
the requirements needed. The implementation of these improvements will result in an increase
of cost, but will reduce its maintenances costs (Fig. 4).

Design decision-making process of affordable low energy homes in Latin America

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