Prefabrication of Affordable High-Performance Housing for Northern Canada

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The purpose of the proposed research is to develop a methodology for the design and construction of affordable and high-performance (low energy consumption, low purchased energy, and robust) housing for northern Canada. This research is valuable for both social and economic development, and the protection of the environment in the North. Northern Canada accounts for over 50% of Canada's land mass and nearly 120 thousand inhabitants. Statistics have shown that the economy and population are growing quickly in the North, mainly due to industrial development and tourism; however, housing development struggles to keep pace with this growth. The provision of new housing is not sufficient, housing costs (ownership and utilities) are high, and a significant portion of households cannot meet core housing need (23.3% compared to 13.7% for the rest of Canada). Core housing need is defined as adequate in condition, suitable in size, and affordable. This housing situation is mainly due to the challenges specific to the North, which include severe climate conditions, remoteness, insufficient road access, high energy prices, lack of skilled labour, and low local construction capacity. Building design concepts that target affordable and high-performance housing for the northern environment and lifestyle will be developed through this program. Suitable building prefabrication technologies will be chosen to reduce time and cost and to ensure the quality of building construction. Suitable renewable energy systems, energy conservation enhancing thermal energy storage systems, and energy-efficient space heating systems for residential building will be investigated, identified, and developed. A prototype building will be established for demonstration and monitoring. This research will advance building technologies for affordable and sustainable housing in regions facing severe climatic and geographic challenges. The outcomes from this research will promote the development of housing and the construction industry in the North, and hence support its social and economic development. This research will also help protect the fragile environment of northern Canada. Low-energy and robust housing will significantly off-set the energy and power demand due to urban growth. This research program will also contribute to the establishment of an academic center for northern building studies.