Low-Energy Dwelling Prototypes for Different Regions of Chile

The central problem addressed by this research is the fuel poverty caused by the thermal inefficiency of new dwelling stocks in Chile. By performing simulations to investigate different design options, dwelling types, building materials and passive envelope techniques, this research demonstrates that acceptable indoor occupant thermal comfort conditions can be achieved in dwellings at low extra-capital and without recourse to conventional space-heating and cooling. The planned outcome of the study is a modular low-carbon prefabricated prototyping system that uses locally sourced timber materials for delivering naturally conditioned dwellings at different multi-unit configurations and scales and to a number of site locations nationwide