Panasonic has teamed up with Chulalongkorn University for a research collaboration project focused on comfortable living conditions for Thai residents. Driven by the idea that a 'comfortable housing environment' should include key elements such as the 'Comfort Zone,' 'Stress-Free' living, 'Carbon-free' initiatives, and 'Energy Efficiency,' a modular house model is being developed to study and enhance comfortable living conditions comprehensively. Panasonic also plans to apply these findings in upcoming collaborations with local real estate developers for future residential projects.

Mr. Hidekazu Ito, Managing Director of Panasonic Solutions (Thailand) Co., Ltd., said, "To foster the development of a sustainable residential society for the future, in response to changing environmental landscapes, Panasonic has dedicated itself to researching and developing various innovations to create a comfortable indoor housing environment for consumers worldwide."

According to ASHRAE Standard 55, the recommended thermal comfort range for temperature falls between 20 to 27 degrees Celsius (68 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit), with an international comfort temperature (ICT) of approximately 26.5 degrees Celsius. However, the acceptable comfort range can vary depending on factors such as humidity, airspeed, heat radiation, and other variables.

"Panasonic envisions a 'comfortable housing environment' encompassing key elements, including Comfort Zone, Stress-Free, 'Carbon-free,' and Energy Efficiency. In pursuit of this vision, the company is embarking on a collaborative research project with Chulalongkorn University, a leading educational institution in Thailand, to study 'Sustainable and Energy-Efficient Housing Technologies in Thailand' over a three-year period. The project aims to determine 'indoor comfortable living conditions' tailored to the needs of Thai residents. This endeavor is expected to pave the way for future housing technology development that aligns seamlessly with Thailand's unique context."

Assistant Professor Sarayut Supsook, Dean of the Faculty of Architecture at Chulalongkorn University, said that the study on housing technology, incorporating digital twin technology for building management to advance Sustainable and Energy-Efficient Housing Technologies in Thailand, aligns with Chulalongkorn University's commitment to fostering a Sustainable City. It aims to promote a better environment, enhance energy efficiency, and ultimately improve the quality of life for the community.

"In our research partnership with Panasonic in Thailand, we are combining our university's expertise from the Faculties of Architecture and Engineering with Panasonic's tech know-how. This synergy will not only drive our research endeavors but also help advance innovative housing solutions in Thailand."

Under the collaborative research project, a modular house model called the ZEN Model is being developed. This initiative employed Building Information Modeling (BIM) to facilitate the designing and construction of a 36-square-meter house model located at Chulalongkorn University. The model aims to provide a simulated comfortable living environment and collect data through participant experiences in this space. At present, 30% of the work has been completed.

Mr. Hidekazu Ito added, “In addition to studying the house model at the Chulalongkorn campus, Panasonic is preparing to extend our research efforts through collaborations with prominent real estate developers in Thailand. Our inaugural project outside the campus involves applying our findings to a show house at SENA Grand Home, Bangna Km. 29, in collaboration with SENA Development Public Company Limited and Hankyu Hanshin Properties Corp. This initiative aims to ensure that the research results on enhanced home comfort environment are applicable to various housing conditions."