ZEMCH 2015 - International Conference Proceedings | Page 556

aim was to achieve a clean, modular design.
Considering the recommended 40 to 60 centimeters spacing between studs, an initial modulation of 60 centimeters was adopted as a dimension suitable to the small size of the HU and a better use of wall panel components, especially OSB panels, fiber cement panels and aluminum profiles of the window frames. Since the first working meetings, involving several researchers with
different experience levels, new guidelines have been established in order to guide the project.
For example, the first proposal for the walls consisted of interchangeable sub modulated panels
(60 centimeters) instead of complete panels.
The intention was to achieve standardization of components and flexibility of use. Thus, the first
drawings indicated walls composed of modular panels with a limited number of variations: Blind
panel, window panel and door panel.
Concomitantly, the main alternatives for customization were established based on POE results.
In the order of importance, the most striking issues for the definition of the plants were: (1) incorporation of new rooms beyond the basics of the PMCMV program, namely, the third bedroom,
covered laundry, vehicle shelter, a deposit and second toilet room; (2) larger kitchen than the
usual either isolated or integrated to the living room and porch on the main access; (3) preference
for living improvement such as furniture for instance instead of area expansions; and (4) mirroring possibility - to improve and change the position of some openings in search for better solar
orientation.

Figure 6: Plan variations
Different alternatives have been generated by the design team, comprising the basic premises
previously established. An extended workshop with several teams to review the alternatives and
determine the basic plan was carried out. Some management tools were used, such as Quality
Function Deployment (QFD), Mudge Technique, Value Analysis, Function Analysis System Technique (FAST) and workshops.
Two requirements influenced the design decisions at this stage: meet the Brazilian accessibility
standard and concentrate piping in a single wall. The small plan size requires a large proportion
of the bathroom area, which has always generated much discussion among the staff, because
it inevitably incurs area reduction to other rooms. On the other hand, the second requirement
implies that the kitchen shall be contiguous to the bathroom. Paradoxically, the team’s preferred
plan configuration had the kitchen opened to the rear of the plot, but this alternative was discarded in favor of a rational plan, avoiding a second piping wall.
The defined version had some positive features, such as: meeting the key requirements; allowing
customization and future expansion; including variations of facades and roofs (Figure 6). This version was the basis for the estimative of the cost and for the economic feasibility analysis of adding
an extra room to the original program: the third bedroom or laundry area with a larger kitchen, for
example - keeping the target cost.

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ZEMCH 2015 | International Conference | Bari - Lecce, Italy