Optimizing container housing units for informal settlements: A parametric simulation & visualization workflow for architectural resilience

Abstract

In rapidly growing cities like Dhaka, Bangladesh, sustainable housing in urban wetlands and slums present a challenge to more affordable and livable cities. The Container Housing System (CHS) is among the latest methods of affordable, modular housing quickly gaining acceptance among local stakeholders in Bangladesh. Even though container houses made of heat-conducting materials significantly impact overall energy consumption, there is little research on the overall environmental impact of CHS. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the performance of CHS in the climatic context of the Korail slum in Dhaka. The paper proposes a building envelope optimization and visualization workflow utilizing parametric cluster simulation modeling, multi-objective optimization (MOO) algorithms, and virtual reality (VR) as an immersive visualization technique. First, local housing and courtyard patterns were used to develop hypothetical housing clusters. Next, the CHS design variables were chosen to conduct the MOO analysis to measure Useful Daylight Illuminance and Energy Use Intensity. Finally, the prototype was integrated into a parametric VR environment to enable local stakeholders to walk through the clusters with the goal of generating feedback. This study shows that the proposed method can be implemented by architects and planners in the early design process to help improve the stakeholder's understanding of CHS and its impact on the environment. It further elaborates on the implementation results, challenges, limitations of the parametric framework, and future work needed.