Experiences and methodology in a multidisciplinary energy and architecture competition: Solar Decathlon Europe 2012

Solar Decathlon Europe is an international competition among universities which promotes interdisciplinary learning in engineering and architecture. Students from different disciplines participate in teams guided by several professors during a 29 month preparation period plus five weeks of on-site contest. The educational project involves designing, building and testing a solar energy house connected to the electrical grid with the strategy of maximizing self-consumption, supported by bioclimatic technologies and maintaining a low environmental footprint. It culminates in a on-site contest in which teams must assembly the house themselves, test it with ordinary real life tasks and finally disassembly it. The event has also a divulgative aim, trying to make students and visitors get interested in discovering the problems presented by real engineering and architecture applications. In addition, SDE covers R&D aspects in different fields such as energy efficiency, solar energy and bioclimatic architecture. This article presents the methodology followed during the SDE 2012 edition, in which more than 850 students participated. The obtained results show that the educational competition was a success according to the technical and professional ambitions of the students, most of them considering that their knowledge had increased in areas related to technical and multidisciplinary aspects.

Analyse comparative de l’approche bioclimatique et de la méthode LEED en architecture

Motivé par l’évolution de la production architecturale durable dans les pays d’Amérique latine, et plus particulièrement en Colombie, mon projet de recherche porte sur l’adaptation de l’architecture à ce nouveau contexte. L’approche architecturale traditionnelle à la prise en compte de l’énergie et du climat est l’architecture bioclimatique : reproduite à partir de connaissances et techniques ancestrales remontant à la conception de l’abri, cette dernière étudie les phénomènes physiques associés au confort thermique afin de les reproduire dans une nouvelle architecture. De nouvelles méthodes d’évaluation environnementale se sont développées dans les dernières décennies pour améliorer l’intégration environnementale des bâtiments. Ces méthodes privilégient la normalisation des solutions et utilisent des systèmes de certification pour reconnaître la performance environnementale et énergétique des bâtiments. Le résultat visé est la conformité aux standards internationaux de durabilité. Ce mémoire porte sur l’analyse comparative de l’architecture bioclimatique et de la certification environnementale à partir de la structure des sujets abordés par LEED, une des méthodes les plus connues d’une telle certification. Cette comparaison permet de constater que les deux approches sont motivées par les mêmes préoccupations environnementales mais que leurs méthodes d’intégration de ces préoccupations diffèrent, en particulier quant à la prise en compte des facteurs locaux et globaux.

Analyse comparative de l’approche bioclimatique et de la méthode LEED en architecture

Motivé par l’évolution de la production architecturale durable dans les pays d’Amérique latine, et plus particulièrement en Colombie, mon projet de recherche porte sur l’adaptation de l’architecture à ce nouveau contexte. L’approche architecturale traditionnelle à la prise en compte de l’énergie et du climat est l’architecture bioclimatique : reproduite à partir de connaissances et techniques ancestrales remontant à la conception de l’abri, cette dernière étudie les phénomènes physiques associés au confort thermique afin de les reproduire dans une nouvelle architecture. De nouvelles méthodes d’évaluation environnementale se sont développées dans les dernières décennies pour améliorer l’intégration environnementale des bâtiments. Ces méthodes privilégient la normalisation des solutions et utilisent des systèmes de certification pour reconnaître la performance environnementale et énergétique des bâtiments. Le résultat visé est la conformité aux standards internationaux de durabilité. Ce mémoire porte sur l’analyse comparative de l’architecture bioclimatique et de la certification environnementale à partir de la structure des sujets abordés par LEED, une des méthodes les plus connues d’une telle certification. Cette comparaison permet de constater que les deux approches sont motivées par les mêmes préoccupations environnementales mais que leurs méthodes d’intégration de ces préoccupations diffèrent, en particulier quant à la prise en compte des facteurs locaux et globaux.

Estudo para a optimização dos sistemas de climatização com vista à obtenção de um edifício com baixas necessidades energéticas em climatização

A presente tese tem como principal objectivo abordar o tema da eficiência energética em edifícios, no que se refere aos sistemas de climatização. O desenvolvimento deste projecto realizou-se em torno dos consumos energéticos dos diferentes sistemas de climatização estudados (e por conseguinte da envolvente do edifício), focando o cumprimento dos requisitos térmico e energéticos das normas vigentes (RCCTE e RSECE) em Portugal, tendo como objectivo identificar os parâmetros com maior impacto e a relação tendencial entre as soluções construtivas e tecnológicas adoptadas, sempre com o horizonte de maximizar a eficiência energética e diminuir a dependência face à energia primária e consequentemente a emissão de gases que provocam o efeito de estufa. É âmbito desta tese comparar diferentes tipos de sistemas de climatização a nível energético e torná-los os mais eficientes possíveis, para que também se possam tornar monetariamente aliciantes e aumentar o rácio entre benefício/custo. Para tal, numa primeira fase foi feito um estudo térmico da envolvente do edifício, tendo sido utilizado um software de simulação energética de edifícios acreditado pela norma ASHRAE 140-2004 para se poder compreender como o edifício se comportava ao longo do ano, e introduzir algumas correcções na respectiva envolvente, para baixar as potências térmicas/eléctricas dos equipamentos do sistema de AVAC. De seguida foram estudados três sistemas possíveis de climatização para o edifício, de modo a identificar o mais eficiente numa base anual, bem como a possibilidade de combinar o uso de fontes de energia renováveis com o intuito de satisfazer ao máximo as necessidades térmicas do edifício e, ainda, de minimizar o consumo de energia de origem não renovável. Por fim, para avaliar as diferentes potencialidades de cada sistema de climatização estudado, fez-se o respectivo estudo à sua viabilidade económica. Nas considerações finais da presente tese é realizado um estudo aos benefícios que uma possível alteração da arquitectura do edifício pode trazer no aumento da iluminação natural do mesmo integrado com um controlo da iluminação artificial necessária para os diferentes espaços climatizados. Os resultados obtidos foram comparados entre si e corrigir a envolvente exterior reduz os consumos energéticos do edifício em cerca de 11%. As medidas correctivas propostas no sistema de climatização base originam uma redução energética igual a 43%. A nível ambiental, é possível a redução do número de emissões de CO2 em cerca de 72.1%.

A arquitectura bioclimática mediterrânica : um equilíbrio entre duas estações

A particularidade do clima mediterrânico traduz-se num Inverno frio, embora não muito rigoroso e num Verão muito quente mas relativamente curto. As habitações têm por norma serem concebidas face aos climas predominantes, sendo nos casos mediterrânicos obrigadas a satisfazer simultaneamente as necessidades de Inverno e de Verão. A Arquitectura Bioclimática só adquire significado conhecendo-se plenamente o clima em questão; deste modo, há que encontrar um equilíbrio entre as amplitudes térmicas. É neste equilíbrio/consenso que se definem os princípios bioclimáticos, nas boas e más opções de concepção e construção, nas cedências e aquisições de energia para que se atinja uma temperatura confortável e qualidade do ar interior na habitação. Estas questões não se relacionam primariamente com a Ecologia, mas com a eficiência energética e a habitabilidade dos edifícios de modo a promover o bem-estar da pessoa.

Análise bioclimática do bairro do Renascença II São Luis-MA: realidade e perspectiva do conforto térmico em espaços externos

The present research concerns about outdoor s thermal comfort conditions in hot-humid climate cities, understanding that life quality is a result of the urban object s type built for the human being in an environment with specific climate and morphological characteristics. It is presented as object of study the correlation between the neighborhood Renascença II s microclimate in São Luis /MA-Brazil, hot-humid climate city, and its urban morphological changes. As well as the thermal comfort s satisfaction level of its outdoor users. The research has as general goal to diagnosis the way these transformations caused by the urbanization influence the Renascença II s microclimate, identifying critical spots of the studied area, in order to contribute with land use recommendations based on bioclimatic architecture concepts and supply bases to urban design decisions adequate to the São Luis climate. It is presented as theoretical bases the urban climate, its concepts and elements. After that, the thermal comfort conditioners and its prediction models of thermal comfort sensation in outdoor are presented. The predictive models are presented along with bioclimatic assessment methods. Finally the use of bioclimatic assessment as an effective tool to identify places that need changes or preservation in order to seek environment quality. The applied methodology was based on the studies of Katzschner (1997), complemented by Oliveira s (1988) and Bustos Romero s (2001) studies that suggest an analysis and evaluation of maps of topography, buildings floors, land use, green areas and land covering, in order to overlap their characteristics and identify climate variable s measurements points; then a quantitative analysis of the climate variables (air temperature and humidity, wind speed and direction) of the chosen points takes place. It was perceived that Renaissance II has no permanence areas as squares or parks, its outdoor has little vegetation and presets high land impermeability and built density levels. The majority of the people interviewed said that was comfortable in a range of air temperature between 27,28ºC and 30,71ºC. The elaboration of a neighborhood master plan is important, which defines strategies for improvement of the life quality of its inhabitants

Interface entre arquitetura bioclimática e decisões projetuais

This research has as its object study focus bioclimatic in architecture and its conection with projects decisions, on what regards to environmental comfort for single-family dwelling. From the analysis of five architectural projects inserted in Natal/RN, warm-moist weather, this research gather informations regarding architectural features guided by shape and space arrengement, which embody important elements for the project design development. Computer simulations assisted as foundation to verify the efficiency grade for these projects strategies from shading analysis. Related strategies for the demands of natural ventilation circulation and thermal mass for refrigeration were analysed as well. Results show that there is an hierarchizing of priorities for the decisions made when it comes to shape and space disposition variables, as well as the way these variables will consider the bioclimatic demands. The analysis, even, show that there is no single way to respond to specific bioclimatic demands, as it points out the value of examination of the projectual solutions throughtout the conception process, in order to achieve an efficient project performance for the envimonment comfort

Natureza morta...edifício com vida: uma arquitetura sustentável para o Serviço de Verificação de Óbitos

Sustainability in buildings, while reducing the impact on the environment, contributes to the promotion of social welfare, to increase the health and productivity of occupants. The search for a way of build that meets the aspirations and development of humanity without, however, represent degradation of the environment, has become the great challenge of contemporary architecture. It is considered that the incorporation of principles that provide a sustainable building with careful choices of design solutions contribute to a better economic and thermal performance of the building, as well as functional and psychological comfort to its users. Based on this general understanding, this paper presents an architecture project aimed to health care whose the solutions adopted follow carefully the relevant legislation and sets his sights on the theme of sustainability. The methodology began with studies on the themes of verification service of deaths, sustainability and those application in construction developed through research in academic studies and analysis of architectural projects, using them like reference for the solutions adopted. Within the project analysis was performed a visit to the verification service of deaths in the city of Palmas in Tocantins, subsidizing information that, plus the relevant legislation, led to functional programming and pre-dimensional of the building to be designed. The result of this programming environments were individual records with information from environmental restrictions, space required for the development of activities, desirable flow and sustainability strategies, that can be considered as the first product of relevance of the professional master's degree. Finally we have outlined the basic design architecture of a Verification Service of Death SVO/RN (in portuguese), whose process of projecting defined as a guiding line of work four points: the use of bioclimatic architecture as the main feature projectual, the use of resources would provide minimal harm to the environment, the use of modulation and structure to the building as a form of rationalization and finally the search for solutions that ensure environmental and psychological comfort to users. Importantly to highlight that, besides owning a rare theme in literature that refers to architectural projects, the whole project was drawn up with foundations in projective criteria that contribute to environmental sustainability, with emphasis on thermal performance, energy efficiency and reuse of rainwater

Construir frondoso :uma herança esquecida?

This dissertation of master degree was presented to Post-Graduation Program in Architecture and Planning at UFRN, Brazil. It evaluates 45 one-family housings in the Metropolitan Area of Recife, whose architects consider them to be in conformity with the recommendations contained in Armando de Holanda's book: A Guide to build in the Brazilian Northeast: Architecture as a pleasant place in the sunny tropics , published in 1976 by UFPE. For a long time, it used to be reference in many Architecture and Planning Schools of the Northern Region of Brazil. The research s methodological procedures are based on the Post- Occupancy Evaluation (P.O.E.) with emphasis on the users' thermal comfort of the houses that make part of the sample. Therefore, it has been done technical analyses of the projects, when possible; interviews with the architects; building s inspections; and form applications to the users. The collected data analysis was based on the project recommendations of Holanda s book, they can be synthesized in the principle of Building Leafy". It can not be affirmed that all the houses present the recommendations contained in the guide, but, in many different ways, they exist, sometimes more intensely and sometimes more shyly. However, it can be noticed that in the 45 projects, that the architects perceived the importance of "Building Leafy" on the climatic reality of the Metropolitan Region of Recife

Padronização e flexibilidade: proposta de um edifício tipo para uma escola técnica profissionalizante

Nowadays the acquisition of sustainable elements and concepts in construction has been increasingly discussed, improved and incorporated to buildings, since the sector directly interferes in the urban space and environment, representing environmental impact. In order to make a sustainable building (Green Building) it is vital to incorporate less damaging constructive practice, starting from the project until the operation of the enterprise, that means to consider an integrated process of conception, implementation, construction and operation. The more effective sustainable principles participation in architecture happens at the projecting step through minimal environment impact solutions. Among the issues varieties that goes with sustainability proposal of the buildings project, there were added to this work the elements that are directly attached to bioclimatic architecture, more specifically the climate variation, ventilation, lighting and sunlight, that directly affect the project conception. It is important to put in evidence that architecture role goes far beyond the simple activity of building spaces; it is the sequence of political, economic, social and cultural elements, having the users as the main apparatus to its materialization. Thereby this professional dissertation consists of an architecture draft for a professional and technological school in the Rio Grande do Norte State, this dissertation is based on the analysis of previous experience and the bioclimatic principles that implicate in building on hot and dry, hot and humid climates, and the use of strategic solutions that aim the optimization of natural light and ventilation

Cobertura verde: estudo de caso no município de São José dos Campos - SP

Guided by the concepts of bioclimatic architecture and wide range of benefits , the green roof stands out as one of the ecological techniques indicated to minimize weather disturbances arising from urbanization. However, little is known what are the reasons that are preventing its spread between the construction methods. To try to understand this unfavorable scenario , we collected technical , historical and urban information of São José dos Campos, where we attempted to analyze the potential of green roof as a tool against the negative effects of heat island

Arquitetura bioclimática para instituição de ensino fundamental em São Gonçalo do Amarante/RN

In the design of a building process must consider climatic variations in the region, the external conditions and the use of available resources in nature, like the sun, vegetation, rain and winds, to provide a built environment with comfort and environment reduced energy expenditure. However, increasing urbanization, often with an occupancy of disordered ground comes disregarding this knowledge and disregarding local characteristics, drastically reducing the green areas. This disordered occupation associated with the reduction of green spaces, is modifying aspects of climate and thus, damaging the thermal comfort of users. Given this situation was born the question: What projetuais strategies can bring better thermal conditions to an educational building located in a region of hot and humid weather? Thus, faced with two important issues , education and environmental comfort , the research is justified by the fact that there is a large national demand for expansions and renovations in its public schools , but not in most areas provides students with quality for good learning development. This paper aims to draw up a project for establishment of Primary Education with the application of the concepts of bioclimatic, highlighting the use of vegetation as a regulatory element of the climate. Initially we carried out a literature search; we analyzed architectural solutions and set up the site. The next phases, called understanding, were raised with the laws, rules and environmental restrictions. Subsequently, the program needs and the development of architectural design was defined. The conclusion of this paper presents the definition of criteria and solutions for the use of vegetation to design of bioclimatic architecture in hot and humid climates and contributes a catalog of plant species for schools in the metropolitan region of Natal, RN.

Análise bioclimática do bairro do Renascença II São Luis-MA: realidade e perspectiva do conforto térmico em espaços externos

The present research concerns about outdoor s thermal comfort conditions in hot-humid climate cities, understanding that life quality is a result of the urban object s type built for the human being in an environment with specific climate and morphological characteristics. It is presented as object of study the correlation between the neighborhood Renascença II s microclimate in São Luis /MA-Brazil, hot-humid climate city, and its urban morphological changes. As well as the thermal comfort s satisfaction level of its outdoor users. The research has as general goal to diagnosis the way these transformations caused by the urbanization influence the Renascença II s microclimate, identifying critical spots of the studied area, in order to contribute with land use recommendations based on bioclimatic architecture concepts and supply bases to urban design decisions adequate to the São Luis climate. It is presented as theoretical bases the urban climate, its concepts and elements. After that, the thermal comfort conditioners and its prediction models of thermal comfort sensation in outdoor are presented. The predictive models are presented along with bioclimatic assessment methods. Finally the use of bioclimatic assessment as an effective tool to identify places that need changes or preservation in order to seek environment quality. The applied methodology was based on the studies of Katzschner (1997), complemented by Oliveira s (1988) and Bustos Romero s (2001) studies that suggest an analysis and evaluation of maps of topography, buildings floors, land use, green areas and land covering, in order to overlap their characteristics and identify climate variable s measurements points; then a quantitative analysis of the climate variables (air temperature and humidity, wind speed and direction) of the chosen points takes place. It was perceived that Renaissance II has no permanence areas as squares or parks, its outdoor has little vegetation and presets high land impermeability and built density levels. The majority of the people interviewed said that was comfortable in a range of air temperature between 27,28ºC and 30,71ºC. The elaboration of a neighborhood master plan is important, which defines strategies for improvement of the life quality of its inhabitants

Interface entre arquitetura bioclimática e decisões projetuais

This research has as its object study focus bioclimatic in architecture and its conection with projects decisions, on what regards to environmental comfort for single-family dwelling. From the analysis of five architectural projects inserted in Natal/RN, warm-moist weather, this research gather informations regarding architectural features guided by shape and space arrengement, which embody important elements for the project design development. Computer simulations assisted as foundation to verify the efficiency grade for these projects strategies from shading analysis. Related strategies for the demands of natural ventilation circulation and thermal mass for refrigeration were analysed as well. Results show that there is an hierarchizing of priorities for the decisions made when it comes to shape and space disposition variables, as well as the way these variables will consider the bioclimatic demands. The analysis, even, show that there is no single way to respond to specific bioclimatic demands, as it points out the value of examination of the projectual solutions throughtout the conception process, in order to achieve an efficient project performance for the envimonment comfort