Design for Adaptability (DfA) - frameworks and assessment models for enhanced circularity in buildings

A growing interest has been expressed in the issue of building adaptability over the past decade, perceiving it as an intrinsic criterion for sustainability. In light of the circular economy (CE) and its application in the construction sector, more attention has been paid to buildings’ design for adaptability (DfA) towards the realization of circular buildings. DfA is considered a key enabler for other circular design strategies such as design for disassembly (DfD), multi-functionality, spatial transformability, and design reversibility. However, implementation and assessment frameworks, and design-support tools for the circular building, are still in development as the characterization of circular buildings continues with endeavors to draw a defined shape by identifying the prerequisites for circularity where the design takes an important place. For the sake of objectifying the role of DfA in circularity frameworks in buildings, this paper carries out an analytical review and discussion on two types of assessment and design-support frameworks; the first addresses adaptability criteria and considerations in assessment frameworks that handle the concept individually while the second classifies existing circularity assessment endeavors into four main categories under which multiple tools are reviewed. A reflection on the scope and objectives for both types is later performed, illustrating the state of adaptability evaluation and criteria as well as its role in circularity frameworks. Results show that the concept of building adaptability lacks quantitative methods that quantify a building’s capacity to adapt as well as empirical data that prioritize the most valuable criteria facilitating adaptations. Moreover, many circularity assessment frameworks fail to consider adaptability criteria at all hierarchal levels of a building composition. To address this shortcoming, a series of conceptual considerations and requirements is proposed towards a potential establishment of an inclusive framework of a circularity design-support tool in buildings. The study is concluded by identifying gaps and recommendations for further developments in the field.This research was funded by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), grant number PD/BD/150400/2019

Climate-responsive strategies of vernacular architecture in Albania and Portugal

The influence of climate on vernacular architecture is widely recognised. In the case of the Mediterranean Sea, its influence on climate ranges a wide variety of territories and cultures. Therefore, it is relevant to study how the climatic factor has modelled vernacular architecture in those territories and if there are common features. In this exploratory study are qualitatively compared the climate-responsive strategies of vernacular architecture from two countries located on opposite sides of the Mediterranean basin, namely, Portugal and Albania. The pragmatism of these strategies, developed on the need of adaptation to a specific climate and territory, may con-tribute to reduce energy consumption and waste. The study allowed showing points of similarity between strategies used in the two countries and, understanding how these strategies influence indoor comfort conditions. The results of the study can be used to develop and integrate these strategies in the current construction context, contributing to its sustainability.The authors would like to acknowledge the support granted by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) in the scope of the Doctoral Program Eco-Construction and Rehabilitation that supports the PhD scholarship with the reference PD/BD/113641/2015, that was fundamental for the development of this study.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Sustainable design of prefabricated solutions for the rehabilitation of ancient buildings

"Green design, materials and manufacturing processes", ISBN 978-1-138-00046-9A wood-based “kit-of-parts” for the rehabilitation of existing buildings is under development. The aim is to merge the benefits of the standardized manufacture, with the flexibility needed to suit the specific requirements of the built heritage. The proposed system should be reversible, flexible and adaptable, while ensuring the adequate structural, thermal and acoustic performances. Mechanical joints, reversible if possible, should be used for the connections with the existing construction. Light solutions, allowing on site adjustment and future material separation are preferable.The research project presented in this paper is part of "WoodenQuark n.º 2011/21635" from the Portu-guese financing programme "Quadro de Referência Estratégico Nacional". The authors also acknowledge the cooperation of "SRU - Sociedade de Reabilitação Urbana do Porto Vivo"

Desempenho térmico e conforto de construções vernáculas em madeira: os palheiros de Mira

A construção vernácula carateriza-se pela relação próxima com as condições locais do meio em que se insere (clima, materiais, economia, cultura, etc.). Os territórios continental e insular de Portugal são marcados pela heterogeneidade entre si pelo que deu origem ao desenvolvimento de diferentes tipos de arquitetura vernácula. As construções vernáculas enfrentam as adversidades dos diferentes locais adaptando-se através de estratégias simples, funcionais e passivas, o que faz com que este tipo de arquitetura seja uma inspiração para a construção contemporânea na procura de soluções sustentáveis. Neste artigo é apresentado um tipo de construção tradicional em madeira, os Palheiros da Praia de Mira. Este tipo de construção utiliza um recurso local, a madeira de pinho, e tenta tirar proveito das caraterísticas deste num clima húmido e na implantação sobre a areia das dunas. Com o objetivo de perceber o desempenho térmico deste tipo de arquitetura vernácula, foi monitorizado o desempenho térmico e avaliadas as condições de conforto térmico num caso de estudo ao longo das várias estações do ano. Dos resultados obtidos, durante grande parte do tempo de monitorização as condições de conforto térmico mantiveram-se próximas ou em limites aceitáveis, com excepção do período de inverno.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Survey of sustainable approaches in Portugal

In Portugal Sustainable Construction has long being recognized as an important goal, although only few objective actions have been implemented over the last years. However, given the emphasis of the European Community on the issue and the mandatory adoption of European Directives in Member countries, in the next years, it is expected that initiatives towards the effective application of the principles of Sustainable Construction will gain a major importance in the construction sector.European Science Foundatio

Thermal performance and comfort conditions analysis of a vernacular Palafitic timber building in Portuguese Coastline context

The palafitic timber constructions of the central Portuguese coastline are an example of the adaptation to site-specific conditions (climate and sand landscape morphodynamics) using the available endogenous resources. Thus, in a context of environmental awareness and climate change, it is relevant to understand their features/strategies and how they perform. This work analyses the energy performance and thermal condition evaluation of a vernacular timber building–palheiro–from Praia de Mira, through in situ measurements, subjective analysis and energy simulation provided by DesignBuilder/EnergyPlus. The results show a good or satisfactory thermal performance during most of the seasons by passive means only. Despite, it was not possible to guarantee thermal comfort conditions for the occupants during winter. In the energy performance analysis, five scenarios, with different external walls, were compared. In the two scenarios that satisfy the maximum U-value for the climate zone, the current conventional building had a slightly better performance on heating and cooling (less 1.1 and 1.4 kWh/m2, respectively) than the timber building. However, the difference between the two construction solutions is not substantial in the annual energy demand (2.5 kWh/m2, 7.3%), indicating that timber structures are suitable in this mild climate area.POCI-01-0145-FEDER-029328; PD/BD/113641/2015. FEDER funds through the Competitively and Internationalization Operational Programme (POCI) and by national funds through FCT (Foundation for Science and Technology) within the scope of the project with the reference POCI-01-0145-FEDER-029328 and of the PhD grant with the reference PD/BD/113641/2015, that were fundamental for the development of this stud

Influência das varandas envidraçadas da arquitetura vernácula beirã no conforto térmico de edifícios

Para reduzir as necessidades energéticas dos edifícios é necessário dar primazia aos sistemas passivos. As estratégias de aquecimento passivo da arquitetura vernácula podem ser uma solução

European overview of sustainable policies and approaches in COST C25 member countries

The implementation of the principles and methods towards a Sustainable Construction varies across different countries in Europe. In some countries, the sustainability of the construction sector has been effectively taken into consideration over the last years, while in other its implementation is at an initial stage. Many reasons may be pointed out for this situation. Different countries have different understandings of what is entailed in Sustainable Construction. Different cultural and educational backgrounds, along with different priorities in each country, are also contributing for the lack of a common European approach. General frameworks, aiming to cover every aspect of Sustainable Construction and to provide a consistent and integrated approach, such as Agenda 21 for Sustainable Construction, gave a major advance in the search for a common approach for the construction sector. However, general agreed methodologies and tools to make this common approach operational are still missing.European Science Foundation - COST Action C2

Sustainable design and integral life-cycle analysis of bridges

Tese de doutoramento em Engenharia Civil, apresentada à Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia da Universidade de Coimbr