Swisswoodhouse, innovative experimentation in sustainable modular housing : from interdisciplinary research to post-occupancy monitoring

The Swisswoodhouse concept is the outcome of a number of studies on issues related to urban densification, structural changes in households, housing adaptability and the environmental challenges of sustainable construction. The building design is more specifically based on the aggregation of prefabricated 22 m2 wooden modules that can be adapted to provide a wide variety of types and functions. At the technical level, priority has been given to energy issues in order to satisfy the requirements of the vision of the "2000-Watt society". Following an interdisciplinary research phase, a first building with 18 apartments was completed as an experimental prototype near the railway station at Nebikon, Switzerland. This first achievement provided an opportunity to test the overall results of the parameters developed within the research framework. At the construction level, the experiment successfully tested the prefabrication and on-site assembly processes as a whole. In terms of energy, post-occupancy monitoring was set up to provide the first indicative figures on the performances of the building.