Browsing by Keyword "Architecture"
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Item An analysis of the potential of envelope-integrated solar heating and cooling technologies for reducing energy consumption in European climates(2018-06) Elguezabal, Peru; Arregi, Beñat; ECOEFICIENCIA DE PRODUCTOS DE CONSTRUCCIÓN; EDIFICACIÓN DE ENERGÍA POSITIVAThere is a clear trend towards the increased contribution of renewable energy at European level, and EU policies are oriented towards that direction. The building sector is no exception and presents an urgent necessity for increasing the share of renewable energy sources (RES) to reduce the impact on the environment. The aim of this paper is to examine the potential of solar heating and cooling technologies in reducing energy consumption by incorporating solar thermal and PV collectors within the building’s envelope. Although generally envisaged to be integrated in the roof, preferably oriented to the south, this study explores also their potential for integration into the façades. External climate influences both the demand for space heating and cooling (influenced by temperature) and the potential from solar renewable energy (incident global irradiation). However, a time lag exists since supply and demand peak at different times within the day as well as during the year. This study assesses the interplay of solar energy supply with heating and cooling energy demand. An analysis is performed over climate data files for five European locations, based on daily weather data. Besides the extent of incident solar irradiation, its seasonal usability is assessed with regard to the thermal demand. The impact of the inclination of solar collector devices is assessed by comparing their placement on a horizontal plane, on the inclination of maximum exposure for each climate, and on vertical planes for the four cardinal directions. As a conclusion, the utilization of solar energy for different scenarios is assessed and a discussion on the integration of solar thermal and PV collectors over façades is presented, building on the potential of these technologies for developing innovative solutions that could significantly upgrade the buildings’ energy performance in the near future.Item Approaching maker's phenomenon(2016) Tabarés-Gutiérrez, Raúl; Tecnalia Research & Innovation; BIGDATAThe rising of maker's movement in recent years has been spoiled by the popularization of open source technologies like 3d printing and many others. The expiration of a set of patents have made possible the emergence of several and different communities that play and tinker with technology. At the same time, these new sociotechnology based collectivities have its origins in other pre-existing ones such as "Do It Yourself" and "Hackers". Our goal in this paper is to perform a comprehensive analysis of all these trends reviewing the existing literature and identifying the main features, values and aspirations. Moreover, we argue some policy recommendations in order to maximize the impact of these spaces into the urban sphere trying to boost its potential in education and social innovation.Item BIM4Ren: Barriers to BIM Implementation in Renovation Processes in the Italian Market: Barriers to BIM implementation in renovation processes in the Italian market(2019-09-01) Elagiry, M.; Marino, V.; Lasarte, N.; Elguezabal, P.; Messervey, T.; E&I SEGURAS Y RESILIENTES; ECOEFICIENCIA DE PRODUCTOS DE CONSTRUCCIÓNAs a part of BIM4REN (Building Information Modelling based tools & technologies for fast and efficient RENovation of residential buildings) H2020 project, an analysis of the barriers of the renovation process, the potential of digitalization to overcome those barriers, and the requirements to ensure a successful digital workflow. This paper focuses on the Italian market where surveys, interviews, and a workshop were conducted, and then a diagnosis was made on the results obtained. Results show that technological innovation on BIM tools cannot be a stand-alone action to reach a full digitalization of the renovation sector, but it shall be supported by a major awareness of the actors involved, improved skills, and competences, as well as an important change of approach in the current construction practice.Item Double envelope unitized curtain wall for solar preheating of ventilation air(Architectural Science Association, 2020) Garay-Martinez, Roberto; Gonzalez, Diego; Alvarez, Izaskun; Arregi, Beñat; Sagarduy, Gorka; Ghaffarianhoseini, Ali; Ghaffarianhoseini, Amirhosein; Naismith, Nicola; Purushothaman, Mahesh Babu; Doan, Dat; Aigwi, Esther; Rotimi, Funmi; Ghodrati, Nariman; Tecnalia Research & Innovation; ECOEFICIENCIA DE PRODUCTOS DE CONSTRUCCIÓN; EDIFICACIÓN DE ENERGÍA POSITIVADespite recent efforts on energy performance improvement, curtain walls remain a significant contributor to the energy consumption of commercial buildings. A novel double envelope unitized curtain wall system is presented, aimed at the substantial improvement of the energy performance of glazed systems. Outdoor air is ventilated through an integrated cavity in its paths to the ventilation air intake of the air handling unit. In its path through the glazed envelope, the air is heated from both incident solar radiation and transmission losses recovered from the indoor environment. A substantial energy performance improvement is achieved by means of the preheating of fresh air. Energy consumption is reduced in the heating season, and even net gains above the heating demand are delivered under favorable conditions. By-pass elements are integrated to allow free cooling and natural ventilation when required in cooling mode. In this way, the double envelope also provides advantages in summer mode, where solar heat gain coefficients are substantially lower than for other systems due to the double envelope and the ventilation of the cavity to the ambient. The overall architectural concept, engineering design and outcomes of an experimental campaign over a 2-story full scale test in Spain are presented.Item Hybrid numerical and experimental performance assessment of structural thermal bridge retrofits(2018) Garay, Roberto; Garay Martinez, Roberto; Tecnalia Research & InnovationA methodological approach to the multi-dimensional heat transfer assessment of building envelopes is performed. The proposed method is particularly focused on thermally weak points in envelope-structure junctions and the assessment of envelope retrofit alternatives. Thermal performance in these spots is seldom assessed in energy audit processes, although it is one of the main heat loss paths in many insulated façade solutions. An envelope-slab junction case is presented, where multi-dimensional heat transfer occurs. The present paper proposes a methodology which allows for a hybrid experimental and numerical performance assessment in such circumstances. A numerical model is calibrated against experimental data, which is then modified to reflect various envelope retrofit solutions. Several possible analysis procedures are proposed, based on the capacities of transient thermal models.Item New Biocomposites for Innovative Construction Facades and Interior Partitions(2018-06-20) Astudillo, Julen; Garcia, Miriam; Sacristan, Javier; Uranga, Nayra; Leivo, Markku; Mueller, Michaella; Roig, Inma; Langer, Sarka; Gemignani, Gianluca; Vilkki, Markku; Gijzen, Ger; Silva, Susana; Nuñez, M. A.; Dabek, Michal; Sprenger, Marius; De Elgea, Alberto Ortiz; ECOEFICIENCIA DE PRODUCTOS DE CONSTRUCCIÓNOsirys is a European Research Project where a holistic solution lor façades and interior partitions ready to be applied in building retrofitting and new construction has been developed. The project uses biocomposites as the base material to define different products: a multilayer façade, a curtain wall, a window, and an interior partition. The biocomposites developed have different functionalities able to meet the strictest requisites of the European Building Codes in relation to fire and structural performance, improve indoor air quality through the elimination of VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and microorganisms, increase thermal insulation, and increase the durability of construction elements. The new systems are lighter than traditional ones, leading to reductions in overall weight, thereby reducing implementation costs during both manufacturing and assembly processes, thanks to an industrialised concept that utilises modular elements. The project was developed with the collaboration of 18 European partners (5 research centres. 9 SMEs, 2 large industries, and 2 public bodies). The main activities were devoted to the establishment of requirements, the development of materials, the design of products, the integration of materials into products, the verification of properties by simulation and testing according to EU standards, the integration of products into real buildings, and economic and environmental assessment. The scope of this paper is to provide a general overview of the entire project work and results to demonstrate the feasibility of using biocomposites in envelope solutions with the aim of solving some of the main problems that exist in façade traditional solutions. The project finishes with the implementation of the developments in real buildings as prototypes: further research is required before industrial scale manufacturing of the systems can be launched into the market.Item Plug and Play Modular Façade Construction System for Renovation for Residential Buildings(2021-09-18) Torres, Jorge; Garay-Martinez, Roberto; Oregi, Xabat; Torrens-Galdiz, J. Ignacio; Uriarte-Arrien, Amaia; Pracucci, Alessandro; Casadei, Oscar; Magnani, Sara; Arroyo, Noemi; Cea, Angel M.; Tecnalia Research & Innovation; E&I SEGURAS Y RESILIENTES; EDIFICACIÓN DE ENERGÍA POSITIVAThe present paper focuses on the architectural and constructional features required to ensure that building envelope renovation are safe, functional, and adaptable to the building stock, with particular focus on “plug and play” modular facade construction systems. It presents the design of one such system and how it addresses these issues. The outcome of early-stage functional test with a full-scale mock-up system, as well as its applicability to a real construction project is presented. It is found crucial to obtain high quality information about the status of the existing façade with the use of modern technologies such as topographic surveys or 3D scans and point cloud. Detailed design processes are required to ensure the compatibility of manufacture and installation tolerances, along with anchor systems that deliver flexibility for adjustment, and construction processes adapting standard installation methods to the architectural particularities of each case that may hinder its use or require some modification in each situation. This prefabricated plug and play modular system has been tested by reproducing the holistic methodology and new technologies in the market by means of real demonstrators. When compared to more conventional construction methods, this system achieves savings in a real case of 50% (time), 30% (materials) and 25% (waste), thus achieving significant economic savings.Item Simulation of unglazed solar thermal systems integrated into façade & combined with ultra-low temperature district heating(International Building Performance Simulation Association, 2019) Lumbreras, Mikel; Garay, Roberto; Corrado, Vincenzo; Fabrizio, Enrico; Gasparella, Andrea; Patuzzi, Francesco; Tecnalia Research & InnovationThis paper presents a theoretical simulation of thermal and economical assessment of façade integrated Solar Thermal (ST) in combination with Ultra Low Temperature (ULT) District-Heating (DH). This paper is in line with existing R&D activities for the integration of unglazed systems in building envelopes, where facades provide an almost unexplored area for increasing solaractivated building envelopes. The combination of building-integrated solar systems with DH networks avoids the use of local storage and allows a novel combination of heat directionality, both from building to the heat grid and vice versa. A control algorithm for heat supply is presented, so that the performance of the overall system is the optimal. Energetic results from solar simulations and economic assessment derived from the balance of building energy demand and solar production are presented. Over a fullyear period the proposed unglazed system produces as much as 50% additional heat when compared with an isolated ST system and profitable economic metrics are reached over a simulation time of 20 years. Finally, it is concluded the heat sink nature of a DH network, for as many as 25-35% of the buildings connected to the DH includes ST system.Item SOFIAS – Software for life-cycle assessment and environmental rating of buildings(2016-06-29) Oregi, Xabat; Tenorio, Jose Antonio; Gazulla, Cristina; Zabalza, Ignacio; Cambra, David; Leao, Susana; Mabe, Lara; Otero, Sheila; Raigosa, Juliana; Oregi Isasi, X.; Tecnalia Research & Innovation; PLANIFICACIÓN ENERGÉTICAThis paper describes the development process of a new software tool, called SOFIAS (Software for a Sustainable Architecture), funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitivenes. Following CEN/TC 350 standard on environmental assessment of buildings, the tool aims at assisting building professionals on reducing the life-cycle environmental impact through the design of new buildings and the refurbishment of existing ones. In addition, SOFIAS provides a rating system based on the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology. This paper explains the innovative aspects of this software, the working methodology and the different type of results that can be obtained using SOFIAS.Item Towards Sustainable and Smart Cities: Replicable and KPI-Driven Evaluation Framework: Replicable and KPI-Driven Evaluation Framework(2022-02-17) Quijano, Ana; Hernández, Jose L.; Nouaille, Pierre; Virtanen, Mikko; Sánchez-Sarachu, Beatriz; Pardo-Bosch, Francesc; Knieilng, Jörg; Tecnalia Research & Innovation; PLANIFICACIÓN ENERGÉTICASustainability is pivotal in the urban transformation strategy in order to reach more resource-efficient, resilient and smarter cities. The goal of being a sustainable city should drive the decisions for city interventions, and measuring city progress is a key step for this process. There are many initiatives aiming at defining indicators and assessment procedures, but there is no convergence in the definition of terms and application methodologies, making their real implementation complex. Within mySMARTLife project (GA#731297), a KPI-driven evaluation framework has been defined with the aim of covering the multiple pillars of a smart and sustainable city (i.e., environment, energy, mobility, ICT, citizens, economy, governance) in a holistic way. This methodology also defines the concepts and terms to guide urban planners and/or experts at the time of implementing the framework for any specific city. The evaluation framework has been deployed in the cities of Nantes, Hamburg and Helsinki, and some lessons have been learned, such as the necessity of providing a definition of measurement boundary to avoid biased interpretations. Due to a co-creation strategy, the main issues from the cities have been taken into consideration in order to increase the replicability of the results.