The Sustainable Housing Design research group ASUTUT conducts user-centric and process-oriented research that responds to and anticipates societal challenges in contemporary housing design in a rapidly changing world. Our aim is to help create more sustainable living environments, today and tomorrow.
The ASUTUT team aims to make meaningful societal change through theoretical, historical, practice-based, social and scientific research. The research group strives to make a difference through holistic real-world research, in order to influence and support the design of sustainable housing environments and resilient communities now, and in the future. The researchers do this by investigating and re-imagining responses to current and predicted societal and environmental challenges, such as climate change, finite resources, ageing populations, declining health and well-being, loneliness, pollution, urbanisation, affordability.
Our research explores and validates the implications of these challenges on the making of space, and their relevance to housing design and their communities. In doing so, our research also unfolds the value of innovative, sustainable housing design and the role of different stakeholders within this.
Research funding is from the Academy of Finland, EU (Horizon Europe and Erasmus+), Erkko Foundation, YH Kodit Housing company and Western Finland Housing Foundation, TAU PROFI 5 Sustainable Welfare Systems (SWS), EDUFI
Research focus and goals
The research group combines research and practice merging unique areas of expertise. The group’s research topics include adaptable, flexible and inclusive housing design, models of co-housing and shared spaces, energy efficient and zero energy and zero carbon design, user satisfaction and performance evaluation and the impact of these diverse aspects on spatial and architectural quality and dwellers health and well-being. We also study how to best teach this knowledge in architecture education through pedagogical research.
agile design
Spatially adaptable, flexible and user-centric housing design, transformations and housing solutions for a diversity of users, including solo-dwellers and older adults. It also includes climate change adaptations (e.g. overheating prevention).
ecological design
Energy efficient and zero energy/zero carbon design, user well-being, designing for good indoor environmental quality (IEQ, e.g., thermal and visual comfort). Building performance and post-occupancy evaluation (POE and BPE).
inclusive design
Including and encountering human diversity in design cultures, practices and environments, including various models of co-housing and shared spaces. Includes designing for ageing populations (older adults) and the inclusion of nature and non-humans in living environments.
sustainable architecture pedagogy
Values and cultures, integration of sustainability in the design studio, learner-centered and transformative teaching methods
Impact
The group's diversity of expertise allows us to investigate and influence the design of sustainable housing in a holistic and integrated way by connecting our expertise. We purposely question and re-define what sustainable housing design is, opening up new design solutions that enhance living environments and spatial qualities and people’s well-being.
We thrive on genuine co-creation and working with colleagues in other disciplines and with industry.
Read more about us and our research projects here www.sustainablehousingdesign.com
Leader
Sofie Pelsmakers
Professor, Architecture, Housing Design
Sofie Pelsmakers
