Integrating Design and Fabrication For Sustainable Housing: Insights From The Kopps Prototype

Abstract

In the face of escalating housing challenges in Canada, including the urgent need for affordable, sustainable, and resilient living spaces, innovative solutions are critically needed. This paper aims to address these challenges by introducing the "Kit-of-Parts Platform System" (KOPPS), a pioneering approach that integrates design and fabrication processes. KOPPS represents a significant departure from traditional construction methods, promising to revolutionize the housing industry by enhancing efficiency, reducing costs, and minimizing environmental impacts. Through a comprehensive platform that combines upstream design activities through a web-based configurator with downstream construction production using digital fabrication technologies, KOPPS facilitates stakeholder collaboration, streamlines project management, and fosters the production of housing that is not only cost-effective but also environmentally sustainable and resilient. This paper also showcases the innovative aspects and scalability of KOPPS across various housing types, highlighting its contributions to sustainability and social equity. Ultimately, this exploration calls for broader collaboration among policymakers, industry stakeholders, and researchers to adopt and further develop technologies like KOPPS, paving the way for a future where sustainable and affordable housing is accessible to all.