Authors :
Dr. Rumana Rashid; Mehnaz Tabassum; Asma Siddika; Shahrin Sultana Sinthia
Volume/Issue :
Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 5 - May
Google Scholar :
https://tinyurl.com/3jnuvf5p
Scribd :
https://tinyurl.com/mr39cub3
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26may2005
Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.
Abstract :
Bangladesh, especially Munshiganj, has regular relocation owing to river erosion and flooding. In response, local
people built portable homes from wood and corrugated metal. These residences are flexible although their façade systems
consist of large prefabricated panels. Extensive use of metal sheets diminishes interior thermal comfort owing to their high
heat conductivity. This research examines dwelling typology utilizing methodology of literature review, field surveys,
thermal performance assessments from current studies, and local resident questionnaires. These findings led to a design
proposal for standardized façade modules and a material selection framework. Research suggests a sustainable, materialcentric modular dwelling design where thermal efficiency, comfort and local availability determine infill selections and
structural frames use widely available wood species. By providing local, high thermal performance infill choices, this hybrid
modular system promotes flexibility, thermal comfort, material efficiency, reusability, and long-term resilience than noneco-friendly for rural houses in erosion-prone areas.
Keywords :
Modular Housing; Sustainable Materials; Local Building Materials; Thermal Conductivity; Rural Housing.
References :
- Ahmed, S., & Ahmed, F. (2015). The maxims of Khona: A contextual study of sustainability over vernacular architectural practice of Bangladesh. Journal of Modern Science and Technology, 3.
- Bansala, K., & Rezwan, S. (2022). Comparing social sustainability—Traditional practices in wooden houses with contemporary practices in masonry houses in Munshiganj. ECS Transactions, 107(1), 6371–6380. https://doi.org/10.1149/10701.6371ecst
- Božiková, M., Kotoulek, P., Bilčík, M., Hlaváč, P., Kubík, Ľ., et al. (2021). Thermal properties of wood and wood composites made from wood waste. International Agrophysics, 35(3), 251–256. https://doi.org/10.31545/intagr/142472
- Greepala, V., Nimityongskul, P., Tanchaisawat, T., & Parichartpreecha, R. (2008). Thermal conductivity of ferrocement. In Proceedings of the Eleventh East Asia-Pacific Conference on Structural Engineering & Construction (EASEC-11): Building a Sustainable Environment (pp. xx–xx). Taipei, Taiwan. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/286154293_Thermal_conductivity_of_ferrocement
- Huda, M. F. (2020). Traditional house of Munshigong. Heritage Bangladesh Foundation. https://www.heritagebangladeshfoundation.com/heritage-buildings
- Islam, M. S. (2007). Flood vulnerability of natural resources of Munshiganj using remote sensing data and GIS techniques (Master’s thesis). Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), Dhaka. http://lib.buet.ac.bd:8080/xmlui/bitstream/handle/123456789/2276/Full%20%20Thesis%20.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
- Kwansuwan, P. (2014). Traditional dwelling and settlement. Working Paper Series. University of California, Berkeley.
- Lim, K. C., Ang, S. H., & Yeong, S. H. (2014). Application of fibre cement in green building system. Hume Cemboard Industries Sdn. Bhd. https://www.iibcc.biz/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/IIBCC2014-Proceedings-Application-fiber-cement-green-building-system.pdf
- Michels, C., Guths, S., Marinoski, D. L., & Lamberts, R. (2020). Thermal performance and thermal resistance of fibre cement roof tiles: Experimental study. Energy and Buildings, 231, 110569. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2020.110569
- Rahman, S., Wah, L. Y., & Nargis, N. (2023). A study of vernacular building materials in Bangladesh based on embodied energy and environmental performance. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 1274(1), 012041. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/1274/1/012041
- Rashid, R. (2007). In Virtual Conference on Sustainable Architectural Design and Urban Planning.
- Tong, Y., Zhang, W., Mengya, L., Benyue, L., et al. (2025). Mechanical and thermal properties of structural lightweight bamboo fiber-reinforced insulating mortar. Case Studies in Construction Materials, 22(1), e04462. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cscm.2025.e04462
Bangladesh, especially Munshiganj, has regular relocation owing to river erosion and flooding. In response, local
people built portable homes from wood and corrugated metal. These residences are flexible although their façade systems
consist of large prefabricated panels. Extensive use of metal sheets diminishes interior thermal comfort owing to their high
heat conductivity. This research examines dwelling typology utilizing methodology of literature review, field surveys,
thermal performance assessments from current studies, and local resident questionnaires. These findings led to a design
proposal for standardized façade modules and a material selection framework. Research suggests a sustainable, materialcentric modular dwelling design where thermal efficiency, comfort and local availability determine infill selections and
structural frames use widely available wood species. By providing local, high thermal performance infill choices, this hybrid
modular system promotes flexibility, thermal comfort, material efficiency, reusability, and long-term resilience than noneco-friendly for rural houses in erosion-prone areas.
Keywords :
Modular Housing; Sustainable Materials; Local Building Materials; Thermal Conductivity; Rural Housing.