Sustainable, affordable housing is possible with adaptable houses

VUB research explores potential of low-cost, low-carbon, flexible living spaces . Sustainable building and affordable housing: two concepts that seem mutually exclusive. However, PhD candidate Charlotte Cambier of VUB's Architectural Engineering research group has demonstrated that adaptable houses are actually cheaper than traditional houses. An adaptable building can be adjusted more easily, and with less building material and waste, to the changing living situations of its inhabitants. For example: living alone, a traditional family situation, "kangaroo" living, cohousing, working at home, etc. In this study for her doctorate, Cambier showed that all costs - from construction to demolition and including maintenance, repairs and replacements - are lower in an adaptable home. The building sector is responsible for 39% of CO₂ emissions.