JOTAR – The builders of healthy and flexible housing

Covid-19-pandemic has challenged many prevailing practices related to housing and working. Remarkable part of working duties has moved into homes that do not fulfil the requirements of professional working life due to lack of proper space, room layout, ergonomics, or sound insulation. Present building types and densely built housing areas do not allow the need for quarantines and social distance. According to recent research, wood material has health benefits that could be utilized more efficiently in housing development. And further, new digitally facilitated welfare technology is developing so rapidly that housing production has not been able to realise its full potential.

Several research projects have been launched to solve these problems, but more focused efforts are still needed for transferring the latest research results into housing design and production, as well as into the practices of diverse welfare and care service firms. In JOTAR project the new results will be applied and made accessible for the use of the key actors in the field. This will put into practice in close collaboration with partner companies and organisations to develop new business models, products, technologies, and services.

In addition to this, JOTAR aims at foster circular economy and low-carbon society. On this basis, the project focuses on timber construction due to its smaller carbon footprint and handprint. Also, the circularity of wooden constructions is excellent, albeit quite seldom tapped so far. An emerging benefit of using wood material is its positive psychophysical health effects, as referred in recent medical research. Flexible and adaptable floor plans in housing, as well as readiness to organise welfare and care services at domestic circles, favour life-long dwelling at home, thus contributing to circular economy. Remote working, in turn, reduces remarkably CO2 emissions in traffic, when put into operation widely enough.

As a result of JOTAR, the partner companies and organisations are provided with applied and tailored solutions for housing design, housing production, and home-based welfare and care services on themes like remote working, quarantines, social distancing, digital facilities, and health effects of wood building.

Project leader at TAU: Professor Ari Hynynen

Researchers at TAU: PhD Virpi Palomäki, Project manager