The integration of innovative and sustainable building design with multifunctional architectural approaches

This thesis addresses the design of a sustainable, innovative, and psychologically supportive prefabricated structure intended to meet post-disaster housing needs. In particular, the widespread destruction caused by the earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş on February 6, 2023, has once again revealed that shelter solutions must not only fulfill physical requirements but also address social, environmental, and psychological needs. In this context, the proposed building system aims to meet the basic needs of users while also supporting their psychological recovery processes. The structure developed within the scope of the thesis adopts multifunctional architectural approaches, offering various advantages such as aesthetic value, energy efficiency, and rapid installation. The main renewable energy systems integrated into the building include ventilated solar collectors (Solarwall), building-integrated photovoltaic panels (BIPV), ground source heat exchangers, wind turbines, and energy storage systems utilizing glycol-based water. These systems reduce the building's dependency on external energy sources and enhance its sustainability. The architectural design prioritizes psychological comfort. With considerations such as access to natural light, spacious interiors, a light color palette, modular building components, and privacy- sensitive spatial planning, the structure aims to contribute to the post-trauma recovery process of disaster victims. The façade design is optimized not only for aesthetics but also for energy efficiency, oriented towards the south to increase passive heat gains. The thesis compares various temporary shelter solutions implemented worldwide, including tent systems, container structures, modular homes, and innovative prototypes. The analyses emphasize that such structures should not be limited to temporary solutions but should be designed to improve users' quality of life in the long term. As a result, this study proposes a portable, energy-efficient, and user-friendly housing model suitable for post-disaster use. This model offers an architectural approach that may contribute to the construction of more resilient communities—both physically and psychologically—in future disasters. The building system proposed in the thesis lies at the intersection of disaster management, sustainable design, and human-centered architecture within the discipline of architecture and thus provides an original contribution to the literature.