Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Master’s student, Department of Architecture, Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, Soureh University, Tehran, Iran (Corresponding author).
2
Assistant Professor, Department of Interior Architecture, Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, Sooreh University, Tehran, Iran. (Corresponding author).
Abstract
Temporary housing is a significant challenge in many developing countries, where the high cost of building and maintaining proper housing makes it challenging to provide adequate accommodation for workers. In nations such as Iran, industrialization has changed people’s lifestyles and work conditions. Many industries have relocated away from big cities due to environmental concerns and specialized requirements. This movement has created a new demand for housing in remote industrial zones, where large groups of engineers, specialists, and workers live far from their hometowns. Since these people are not residents, the problem of “temporary housing” has become a serious issue. The Makran Coast in southern Iran is a prime example. It is situated near petrochemical plants, steel industries, shipping activities, and construction projects. As a result, this area has a growing need for temporary housing solutions that are affordable, quick to build, and environmentally friendly. One solution that has attracted attention is modular construction using shipping containers. Containers are available in large numbers in transit regions such as Makran and Chittagong in Bangladesh, making them a practical option for modular housing. They are strong, standardized, and easy to transport and adapt to various environments. They can be reused for housing in ways that reduce cost, shorten construction time, and minimize environmental impact. Previous studies in port and transit regions have already shown that container housing can be a realistic and affordable solution for temporary accommodation. Building on this background, the present study focuses on modular design principles with containers. It compares two regions with similar hot and humid climates: the Makran Coast in Iran and the Chittagong Coast in Bangladesh. Both areas experience extreme heat and high humidity, necessitating the need for thermal comfort, making them valuable case studies for testing container housing layouts. The research uses a mixed-methods approach. In the first, qualitative stage, documents were reviewed, and traditional housing practices in both regions were analyzed.
For example, in Chittagong, houses are often rectangular with central courtyards and made from lightweight materials such as bamboo. Large openings are used to increase airflow. In Makran, houses are typically built with thick walls of clay or adobe and are often organized around central courtyards, which enhance natural ventilation and provide shaded outdoor areas. Despite differences in culture and materials, both traditions share common strategies such as using courtyards, designing for ventilation, and orienting buildings to manage heat and sunlight. These features inspired the container housing layouts tested in the study. The second, quantitative stage involved computer simulation. Using the DesignBuilder software and computational fluid dynamics (CFD), several container housing layouts were tested under the climate of the Makran Coast. Climate data, including wind direction, humidity, and temperature, were input into the program to model real conditions. Six different layouts were studied, including single-story and multi-story designs, as well as configurations with one, two, or three courtyards. The goal was to measure airflow, pressure differences, and thermal comfort across these models. In addition to testing the airflow and pressure differences, the simulation phase also examined the potential of each layout to reduce energy consumption through natural ventilation and passive cooling strategies. This aspect is crucial in regions such as Makran and Chittagong, where high humidity and heat create a continuous demand for mechanical cooling systems, often leading to excessive energy consumption and high operational costs. By analyzing airflow patterns and temperature distribution in each layout, the study was able to determine how architectural form directly affects energy efficiency.
The findings revealed that layouts with compact forms and central courtyards, such as the M1 model, not only improved ventilation but also stabilized indoor temperatures by promoting air circulation and shading. This suggests that effective spatial planning in container housing can significantly reduce reliance on artificial cooling. The research, therefore, emphasizes that modular housing design should not only focus on physical flexibility or construction speed but also on long-term energy performance. Integrating passive design techniques within modular structures can help achieve sustainable housing that balances human comfort with environmental responsibility—an essential goal for coastal industrial areas facing both rapid development and climate challenges. The results showed that the single-story layout with a central courtyard, referred to as the M1 model, performed best. This layout achieved a maximum wind speed of 2.79 m/s, an average courtyard wind speed ranging from 0.51 to 2.03 m/s, and a pressure difference of 8.35 Pa. These values demonstrate that the M1 design provides the strongest airflow and most effective natural ventilation. Other models, especially those with multiple courtyards or extra stories, showed weaker performance. They often blocked airflow or produced less pressure difference, making them less suitable for hot and humid climates.
The success of the M1 layout highlights the importance of courtyard-based designs, which are already central features in the traditional architecture of both regions. The study’s findings go beyond these two case studies. They demonstrate that container-based housing, when designed with climate sensitivity and informed by local building traditions, can achieve multiple objectives simultaneously: affordability, adaptability, and environmental sustainability. This type of housing not only solves the immediate need for temporary accommodation but also supports long-term objectives for resilient infrastructure. By combining old knowledge with modern modular design, container housing can offer solutions that are both practical and sustainable. This research also adds to the discussion on adaptive reuse in architecture. Shipping containers, once they are retired from transport, are often wasted. Turning them into housing reduces waste and lowers the environmental cost of construction. At the same time, modularity allows housing units to be added, removed, or rearranged as needed to accommodate the number of people who require housing at any given time. This flexibility is especially useful in industrial regions, where the number of workers often changes with project cycles. In this way, container housing can play a role in the circular economy, where materials are reused and adapted rather than discarded. Another important contribution of the study is the use of advanced simulation tools to confirm the performance of container layouts. While lessons from traditional architecture are valuable, computer models enable the testing of designs under real-world climate data and the measurement of precise results. The combination of CFD with vernacular knowledge makes the designs more reliable and ready for real-world application. For example, airflow simulations demonstrated that the M1 model can reduce heat buildup and improve comfort without relying heavily on mechanical cooling systems. This reduces energy demand and makes housing more sustainable in regions where electricity can be expensive or unreliable. The comparison of Makran and Chittagong also highlights how different regions can learn from one another. Both face similar challenges, including high temperatures, high humidity, limited resources, and vulnerability to storms and floods. However, each has developed unique ways to adapt: Chittagong with lightweight, ventilated structures, and Makran with heavy, insulating walls and shaded courtyards. The study demonstrates that combining these approaches in container housing can yield designs that are both flexible and effective in many coastal regions worldwide.
In conclusion, the study demonstrates that temporary housing solutions do not have to be limited or low quality. By utilizing modular container design informed by local traditions and tested through simulations, it is possible to create housing that is affordable, quickly built, comfortable, and sustainable. The M1 model, with its single-story courtyard design, represents the best option tested for the climate of southern Iran. However, the lessons from this study also apply to other regions, particularly developing countries with similar climates and industrial demands. Container housing, carefully designed, can help meet urgent housing needs while supporting the long-term goals of resilience, sustainability, and environmental responsibility.
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