research

Introduction to space and site: a methodological experience in Sobral - CE. Nadir Bonaccorso, Clara Bonaccorso

"This article aims to present a teaching experience about the first architectural Project class, corresponding to the second semester of the Architecture and Urbanism course at FAU-INTA University in Sobral. It is a reflection of the skills and role of the teacher from a constructivist and socio-interactionist perspective. The methodology focused on the knowledge acquisition of the notion of space and was applied through three exercises proposed to the students. The design and the representation of space have been developed with analogic tools. The presented results, measured by a qualitative approach, point to rapid development and awareness of space notion. However, the same results indicate the need for greater teacher availability to improve student learning outside school hours." READ THE ARTICLE. (Text in Portuguese).

Low-cost DIY passive strategies

CHS.2. plug in solar chimney: an installed experiment in Brazil.
ABSTRACT: This article presents an experiment to improve natural ventilation in "poor" hous- ing through the installation of a solar chimney, built with cheap, used or recycled materials, in the city of Sobral, Brazil. The solar chimney, as an induction system for natural ventilation, has presented itself as a possibility to improve comfort in the climatic and economic conditions of this region. For this research, no documented cases of practical application were found in "poor" dwellings. An open source flow simulation tool was used to help dimensioning the Chimney. The project was developed and a prototype was built and installed in the selected residence. Measurements lasted 8 days. The quantitative results show an effective flow of air inside the property, with an approximation of the internal temperature to the external one, as there was a decrease of 8% of the relative humidity in the analysed space. From a qualitative point of view, the feeling of comfort increased. DOWNLOAD ARTICLE...

Validated Simulation of Low-Cost Thermal Envelope Upgrades for Slum Housing
with N. R. Martins and G. Carrilho da Graça

ABSTRACT: In a continuously warming planet, energy poverty is gaining increased attention in many overheated cities across the world. In slum housing, overheating problems can be severe, greatly exceeding the indoor temperatures that occur in low-cost or old dwellings that also lack mechanical cooling systems. This study presents an evaluation of the effectiveness of thermal envelope improvement measures for slum dwellings in the warmer regions of the globe. The study is structured on validated EnergyPlus simulation models of typical poor slum construction, with standard and improved low-cost thermal configurations. These models are then tested in different worldwide locations, where results indicate a reduction in indoor temperature with the full upgrade strategy. DOWNLOAD ARTICLE...

Low-cost DIY Upgrade Strategies for Improved Comfort in Poor Brazilian Houses in Hot Climates: Process and Results.
ABSTRACT: This paper presents the process and the results of a Research by Design (RbD) investigation on passive techniques to improve the indoor temperature of poor houses in Brazilian hot climates. Poor houses, which offer an overheated indoor environment, have been analysed. The paper gives a more detailed description of the in-situ research phase, which informed the hypothesis through the experience with the contacted communities, setting up the pre-requisite: all strategies applied should be effective; low-cost; Do It Yourself (DIY) friendly for self-construction. Design and post-design phases, sequentially alternate during the investigation, three times, until the pursuit of viable solutions. Radiant barrier and Tetrapak insulation board solutions presented the best results, at a cost of 5€/m2 and 1-2€/m2, respectively. The research presents suitable and validated low-cost materials and technics to be used to shape both thermal and physical spaces in this poor context, showing a possible path to find “the place of architecture in a planet of slums” (Arantes, 2009). DOWNLOAD ARTICLE...

Low-cost DIY thermal upgrades for overheating mitigation in slum houses in Latin America & Caribbean
with G. Carrilho da Graça
ABSTRACT: Over one billion of the world’s population live in slum houses (SHs), mostly self-built. Due to their poor construction and lack of mechanical cooling in hot regions, SHs are particularly vulnerable to overheating and ongoing climate change. This paper presents the overheating mitigation results of four selected DIY low-cost roof upgrades for a typical SH in Latin America & the Caribbean (LAC) to allow residents self-improvement. This study evaluates two insulation techniques and two natural ventilation devices, namely: a recycled Tetra Pak insulation board (TI), a radiant barrier, a cylindrical chimney, and a solar chimney, using a combination of experimental and numerical approaches that allow for increased reliability of the results, and widespread assessment of the impacts of the proposed strategies in several LAC locations under current and predicted future climates (2050). The results appointed the TI insulation combined with scheduled natural ventilation, as the most effective mitigation strategy, for less than 1€/m2, reaching a maximum improvement in the hottest cities of 3.1 ºC of indoor operative temperature with an increased effect up to 3.3 ºC in the 2050 scenario. Finally, this overheating mitigation solution is presented with an instruction manual to build and install it as an affordable SH upgrade. READ THE ARTICLE...

Fields of research

Architectural Education

Low-cost passive strategies for poor houses

Education

Introduction to space and site: a methodological experience in Sobral - CE. Nadir Bonaccorso, Clara Bonaccorso

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Project class results

Low-cost DIY passive strategies

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others publications

ReTIBS installation Manual

Colpa della pantera?

Uma flor no deserto