A Residential Building Extension Prototype to face Post-Pandemic Needs: Foreseen Challenges and Impacts

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of outdoor spaces for maintaining physical and mental well-being. However, many urban residents lack private outdoor areas, which led to harmful health consequences during lockdowns. The research project aims to address and solve this issue by developing a physical/digital prototype called “X-TEND” that extends living space outdoors by attaching it to existing multi-story residential building facades. This prototype intends to promote healthier lifestyles, improving the well-being of individuals and positively impacts the urban surroundings aesthetics. X-TEND prototype uses a light, modular, and prefabricated approach for cost-effectiveness and environmental sustainability. It incorporates generative processes for structural and bioclimatic optimisation complemented by green building strategies to reduce environmental impact while maximising thermal and energy performance. Ultimately, X-TEND prototype contributes to a more sustainable built environment, fostering healthier and more liveable cities for current and future generations.