Extra-ordinary solutions for useful smart living

Abstract

The project ‘cHOMgenius. PrototipeSystem and SharedProject. Soluzioni straordinarie per l’abitare intelligente’ studies a modular constructional system and experiments with design solutions, examining constructive, structural and plant engineering techniques for OFF-GRID dwellings featuring home automation control and managed by digital tools with relevant verification and monitoring instruments, in a logic of complete disassembly, reuse and recycling according to the most recent European directive. This project, which includes as partners two Lombard companies together with the Politecnico di Milano, is supported by 20 national and international companies and by the UNI ‘Ente Italiano di Normazione’. The OFF-GRID prototype consists of entirely ‘clamping’ technical-constructive solutions, digital management/energetic solutions, innovative maintainability solutions for seismic safety and economic sustainability, in relation to the high-energetic performance offered and the technical solutions adopted. cHOMgenius is a shipping container building totally placing itself within the circular economy, through the reuse of HC 20′ and 40′ containers made of corten steel as supporting structure of the dwelling. The approach to the theme of circular economy pursued is intrinsically linked to the 3Rs concept, understood as: (i) reduction of material in terms of quantity, embodied energy and time, resulting in a better use of products and giving them a multi-functionality character; (ii) recycling of products and materials through the use of dry technologies, offering the option to use decoupling materials in order to avoid not only dismantling costs, often uneconomical, but also to avoid polluting industrial cycles due to recycling; (iii) reuse/reapplication, seen as the most evident plus of the circular chain as it is considered synonymous with the increase of products’ life.