Energy renovation of detached single-family houses - a case study on how to develop a sustainable solution through staging negotiation spaces

Hornbaek, Jan Sebastian ; Olsgaard, Christine Wiinstedt ; Mortensen, Freja Viktoria

4. Term

Sustainable Design (M.SC)

2020

2020-06-04

234 pages

Energy consumption of buildings has a significant impact on the environment. Energy renovation of the existing building stock is therefore seen as an essential part of sustainable development. However, many house owners are not following this agenda and solutions to the problem are needed. Contributing to the current research on the area, this report investigates, through a design process, how to design a solution to have more house owners energy renovate their homes. The design process is based on the theoretical framework Staging Negotiation Spaces. With this socio-technical and participatory design approach, the focus was on the involvement of relevant actors during the design process to negotiate concerns and ideas, to create a solution, and to work with establishing a network of actors supporting the solution. Through the design process empirical data was gathered, analysed and translated into objects, bringing the design process forward. It was identified that, to have more house owners energy renovate, a solution to support the decision-making process before a renovation is needed. Key aspects contributing to this is guiding the house owner and giving access to other house owners’ experiences. Through Staging Negotiation Spaces with the use of prototypes, it was found that encouraging house owners to energy optimise their homes as a part of other renovations, was a way to have more conduct energy renovations. A solution taking the form of a platform was developed and tested with potential users. Also, other relevant actors were involved in the design process to conduct a network building process, to create support for the design. The design process presented in the report represents a case on how to handle sustainability challenges through navigating among multiple concerns, through staging negotiation spaces both backstage in the design team and frontstage with relevant actors in the field. The design project was performed during the COVID-19 pandemic which influenced the design approach where all activities were performed online. The project thereby also presents perspectives on how to perform participatory design digitally.

energirenovering ; energy renovation ; staging negotiation spaces ; sustainable design ; concept development

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