Applicable and Flexible Post-Disaster Housing Through Parametric Design and 3D Printing: A Novel Model for Prototyping and Deployment

Ali Mehdizade (), Ahmad Walid Ayoobi () and Mehmet Inceoğlu
Additional contact information
Ali Mehdizade: Department of Architecture, Graduate School of Sciences, Eskisehir Technical University, Eskisehir 26555, Turkey
Ahmad Walid Ayoobi: Department of Architecture, Faculty of Construction, Kabul Polytechnic University, Kabul 1001, Afghanistan
Mehmet Inceoğlu: Department of Architecture, Faculty of Architecture & Design, Eskisehir Technical University, Eskisehir 26555, Turkey

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 16, 1-50

Abstract: Natural disasters are increasing in frequency and intensity, causing escalating humanitarian crises and complex housing challenges globally. Traditional post-disaster housing solutions often fall short, being slow, costly, and ill-adapted to specific community needs. This study addresses these limitations by proposing an innovative, technology-driven model for post-disaster housing that integrates parametric design with 3D printing. The objective is to develop a flexible and adaptable system capable of providing both immediate temporary shelter and evolving permanent housing solutions. In this study, the methodology of the proposed model for post-disaster housing solutions is structured around three main phases: the development of the theoretical framework, the parametric design process, and the implementation phase. In the first phase, a comprehensive literature review and conceptual analyses were conducted to examine the concept of disaster, post-disaster housing approaches, and advanced technologies, thereby establishing the conceptual foundation of the model. In the second phase, parametric modeling was carried out for a modular system using algorithmic design tools such as Grasshopper; the model’s applicability across various scales and its flexibility were analyzed. In the final phase, material selection and digital prototyping of the gridal system were undertaken using 3D printing technology to evaluate the model’s feasibility for rapid on-site production, assembly, and disassembly. The model prioritizes user participation, modularity, and configurability to ensure rapid response and socio-cultural sensitivity. Findings indicate that this integrated approach offers substantial benefits, including accelerated construction, reduced labor and material waste, enhanced design flexibility, and the use of local, sustainable materials. This research highlights the transformative potential of advanced manufacturing in providing resilient, user-centered, and environmentally sustainable post-disaster housing, advocating for governmental financial support to overcome adoption barriers and foster broader implementation.

Keywords: post-disaster housing; parametric design; 3D printing; flexible design; algorithm (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/16/7212/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/16/7212/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:16:p:7212-:d:1721092

Access Statistics for this article

Sustainability is currently edited by Ms. Alexandra Wu

More articles in Sustainability from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().