Sustainability and Energy Efficiency of Passive Architecture for Modular Residences in Brazil

Abstract

This work presents an architectural design applied to a single-family modular residence proposal aimed at the low-income population in three regions of Brazil. Combined elements of building systems become dynamic heat transfer control structures capable of climatizing environments and heating water by natural/passive means. The method allows proposing samples of profiles of constructive solutions for walls and slabs exploring the potential of combinations of their elements comparing them to reference solutions. The assessment is performed by submitting to three groups of environmental, functional, and economic indicators and their parameters. These indicators are analyzed by parameters related to the mass of each constructive solution, quantifying impacts incorporated to the material on the environment (gram equivalent of CO₂), of thermal insulation and costs involved in the construction life cycle. The performance result at the level of each indicator is measured by an overall performance score (sustainability).