Artículos (Construcciones Arquitectónicas I (ETSA))

URI permanente para esta colecciónhttps://hdl.handle.net/11441/11307

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Laser scanning and photogrammetry for graphic analysis and heritage documentation: the Lopera tower, a 14th-century Castilian fortress
(MDPI, 2025-08-07) Molina Rozalem, Juan Francisco; Rodríguez Medina, Jesús; Acosta García, Ignacio Javier; Expresión Gráfica y Arquitectónica; Construcciones Arquitectónicas I (ETSA); HUM799: Estrategias de Conocimiento Patrimonial; TEP130: Arquitectura, Patrimonio y Sostenibilidad: Acústica, Iluminación, Óptica y Energía
Spain is among the European countries with the greatest number of preserved castles and defensive structures—some estimates place the total at around 10,000, the majority of which date back to the medieval period. Yet, surprisingly, many of these fortifications remain uncatalogued and in an advanced state of ruin. This study focuses on a small fortress that has been overlooked by historiography and neglected by public authorities, yet which still stands after seven centuries: the Tower of Lopera, a castle belonging to the so-called Banda Morisca (the frontier of Al-Andalus in the 14th century). Using a combination of digital documentation techniques—namely, portable laser scanning, photogrammetry (via drone and camera), and digital image processing software—we have been able to digitize, geometrize, and document both the surviving architectural remains and their immediate physical environment. Rather than pursuing the latest technological innovations, this methodology prioritizes practical and realistic solutions based on the resources typically available to cultural heritage administrations. Our work serves two main objectives: to demonstrate the viability of applying such tools to this typology of architectural heritage and to conduct a detailed graphic and geometric analysis of the structure. Given the abundance of similar abandoned fortresses in Spain, the findings presented here could inform future heritage documentation strategies on a broader, potentially national, scale.
Evaluation of optimum thermal insulation for mass walls in severe solar climates of northern Chile
(MDPI, 2025-07-21) Verichev, Konstantin; Díaz López, Carmen; Loncomilla Huenupán, Gerardo; García Ruiz, Andrés; Construcciones Arquitectónicas I (ETSA); Agencia Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo (Chile); TEP206: SATH Sostenibilidad en Arquitectura, Tecnología y Patrimonio: Materialidad y Sistemas Constructivos
The Life Cycle Cost Assessment (LCCA) methodology is widely used to determine the optimal thickness of thermal insulation for walls and roofs. The results depend on several factors, such as the degree day calculations method, the ambient or sol–air temperature, base temperature variations, and the heat capacity of the thermal envelope elements. This study aims to analyze the impact of solar radiation on mass walls with different orientations in five cities in northern Chile, which have severe solar climates. The goal is to determine the optimal thickness of expanded polystyrene insulation using the LCCA method, considering solar radiation, a varying base temperature, and validating results by analyzing the energy demand for heating and cooling of a typical house. The findings show that excluding solar radiation in the LCCA methodology can lead to an underestimation of the optimal insulation thickness by 21–39% for walls in northern Chile. It was also found that using variable monthly threshold temperatures for heating and cooling based on the adaptive thermal comfort model results in a slight underestimation (1–3%) of the optimal thickness compared to a constant annual temperature. An energy simulation of a typical house in five cities in northern Chile showed that neglecting the effect of solar radiation when determining the thermal insulation thickness for the studied wall can lead to a minor increase in heating and cooling energy demand, ranging from approximately 1% to 9%. However, this study emphasizes the importance of applying optimal insulation thickness for cities with more continental climates like Santiago and Calama, where the heating demand is higher than cooling.
Data infrastructure for whole-life carbon emissions baselines of buildings in Spain
(Elsevier, 2025-11-15) Soust-Verdaguer, Bernardette; García Martínez, Antonio; Rey Álvarez, Belén; Diego Suárez, Beatriz de; Fuente Alejandre, Alicia de la; Röck, Martin; Construcciones Arquitectónicas I (ETSA); Laudes Foundation; Green Building Council España (GBCE); European Commission (EC). Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER); TEP986: Digital Architecture for Sustainability Lab (Datus-Lab); TEP130: Arquitectura, Patrimonio y Sostenibilidad: Acústica, Iluminación, Óptica y Energía
Reducing whole-life carbon (WLC) emissions in buildings across Mediterranean regions is an urgent priority. In Spain, despite various initiatives, the lack of a harmonised national life cycle assessment (LCA) method and a standardised database of construction products with environmental data hinders comparability, accessibility, and transparency. This gap prevents policymakers from establishing a robust basis for action. To address this challenge, we developed an innovative data infrastructure based on three key pillars: co-creation, the development of new data, and the compilation of existing data. This research was conducted within the framework of the INDICATE project, which aims to establish agreed-upon baseline values and benchmarks, contributing to a broader understanding of the integration of WLC considerations into policy decisions, existing regulations, and market-driven innovations. This study includes real LCA results from industry partners (such as LCA consultants) and LCA results from synthetic cases generated using a BIM-based LCA workflow, developed following a co-created LCA method, to determine the reference values. Using data from 179 case studies, baseline values for residential buildings range from 171 to 1,587 kg CO2e/m2 GFA, while for non-residential buildings (offices and parking), values range from 128 to 1,499 kg CO2e/m2 GFA. While average values are similar between real and synthetic cases, an in-depth analysis reveals methodological differences that significantly influence the results. The results demonstrate that this data infrastructure enabled the establishment of reference values and benchmarks for the sector, while highlighting the critical factors to consider when translating these values into regulations and guiding future moves toward decarbonising the sector in Spain.
Potential of CNT-enhanced steel-reinforced concrete to reduce the impact of water management facilities
(MDPI, 2025-08-08) Sánchez Burgos, Marco Antonio; Trompeta, Aikaterini-Flora; Mercader-Moyano, Pilar; Construcciones Arquitectónicas I (ETSA); European Union (UE); TEP205: Análisis y Evaluación de Sistemas Constructivos y Estructurales en la Arquitectura; TEP172: Arquitectura: Diseño y Técnica
The growth of urban areas and climate change affect the performance of water management, increasing the rate of flooding and decreasing the quality of available water. To address this issue, the sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDs) and conventional urban drainage systems (UDIs) must be promoted. In both systems, grey infrastructure plays an important role, in the form of reinforced concrete tanks, filters, and water treatment plants. Nowadays, the use of reinforced concrete is a major contributor of the environmental impact of human activities environmental impacts. This study aims to assess the potential of nanoparticle-based concrete to mitigate the environmental impacts of water management facilities. To achieve this target, a comparative Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) analysis was performed on a multi walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) based concrete, and a conventional one. To evaluate the corresponding benefits, a Functional Unit has been defined representing a frequently used element in water management facilities. The conducted review found no similar research. It is noted that the functional units used in published studies on nanoproducts are usually defined for the production of mass units. This study, found that using MWCNT-based concrete reduced the weight of the steel reinforcement by 47%. This reduction in steel outweighs the environmental impacts corresponding to used MWCNTs. The impact scores obtained are significantly lower for the MWCNT-based concrete. Therefore, the use of this material is recommended in Water management facilities, only on an environmental basis. Further investigation is recommended into the economic viability of this use.
Schoolyard revegetation as a dual mechanism for environmental education and overheat mitigation
(Elsevier, 2025-06) Serrano Jiménez, Antonio José; Marques Valderrama, Israel; Jiménez Expósito, Rosa Ana; Díaz López, Carmen; Barrios Padura, Ángela; Molina Huelva, Marta; Becerra Villanueva, José Antonio; Chacartegui, Ricardo; Construcciones Arquitectónicas I (ETSA); Estructuras de Edificación e Ingeniería del Terreno; Ingeniería Energética; European Union (UE). H2020; Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (MICIU). España; European Commission (EC). Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER); TEP206: SATH Sostenibilidad en Arquitectura, Tecnología y Patrimonio: Materialidad y Sistemas Constructivos; TEP137: Máquinas y Motores Térmicos
Current research gaps in environmental action guidelines that tackle urban heat island effects and improve environmental education to students are identified in order to address urban and environmental challenges. This research aims to promote revegetation patterns in schoolyards through a scientific-educational strategy of planting trees, thereby increasing the shaded area and promoting environmental activities in schools in warm climates. This study provides a standardised strategy in five phases for the diagnosis, decision-making, proposal, and monitoring of tree planting, which can be replicated in multiple climatic and urban contexts. This study presents a real-life pilot experience that tests and applies this strategy in Itaca secondary school, in Southern Spain, within an H2020-European research project, in which a diagnosis of the schoolyard and an in-situ tree-planting strategy is developed by researchers together with students. The collaborative methodology is based on a multidisciplinary evaluation involving a selection of tree species and their in-situ planting by the students, thereby filling the gap with an action strategy towards greener practices in schools and highlighting key outcomes for upcoming bioclimatic policies. The results confirm an increase in the Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) from 0.15 to 0.74 in tree-planting areas, and 91.5% of the 142 participants in the educational community have perceived this tree-planting strategy as highly satisfactory for increasing outdoor comfort. The conclusions reveal multiple insights that contribute to sustainable development goals, based on the environmental education between researchers and students and on the advantages in mitigating the effects of overheating in schoolyards.
Granular mapping of UHI and heatwave effects: Implications for building performance and urban resilience
(Elsevier, 2025-04-01) Karimi, Alireza; Moreno-Rangel, David; García Martínez, Antonio; Construcciones Arquitectónicas I (ETSA); TEP1000: Comfort, Health and Energy Use in Buildings; TEP130: Arquitectura, Patrimonio y Sostenibilidad: Acústica, Iluminación, Óptica y Energía
This study presents a comprehensive framework for addressing the growing challenges posed by the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect on heatwave (HW) phases in urban environments. By generating customized, high-resolution weather datasets (EPW) that capture both spatial and temporal variations of UHI across different periods, this framework is applied to the Canillas neighbourhood in Madrid, providing valuable insights into the UHI-HW interactions specific to this urban area. Through the analysis of historical, mid-term, and future climate scenarios, the findings reveal a concerning trend: While the frequency of HW events may decrease, their duration and intensity are projected to increase significantly. Future climate scenarios suggest the possibility of up to 30 heatwaves occurring annually, with a combined total duration of 102 days. Moreover, UHI within an urban cell exhibits varying intensities and sizes depending on the region and measurement time. The use of Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) sheds light on how factors such as building density, road infrastructure, and building height amplify UHI effects, driving temperatures in densely developed areas above 37 °C during HW. Depending on the urban geometry, there is a difference between the amount of heat and the time it takes to release that heat. While urban vegetation has a cooling effect, its ability to mitigate extreme temperatures during intense HW is limited, emphasizing the need for green infrastructure as a foundational, though inadequate, solution when applied alone. Additionally, analyses using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) reveal a strong inverse relationship between vegetation and temperature, particularly during historical periods. However, this effect is expected to diminish in the future, underscoring the need for innovative resilience strategies such as: such as cool roofs, reflective surfaces, or green rooftops, as traditional approaches may no longer suffice in the face of intensifying climate change. Therefore, this study offers crucial insights to bolster urban resilience, emphasizing the need for the strategic integration of green infrastructure, innovative cooling solutions, and balanced urban density to mitigate the combined effects of the UHI phenomenon and HW in cities experiencing rapid warming.
New Approaches in Dynamic Metrics for Lighting Control Systems: A Critical Review
(MDPI, 2025) García-Martín, Guillermo; Campano, Miguel Ángel; Acosta García, Ignacio Javier; Bustamante, Pedro; Construcciones Arquitectónicas I (ETSA); Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (MICIU). España; European Union (UE)
The growing number of daylighting metrics—often overlapping in scope or terminology—combined with the need for prior familiarization to interpret and apply them effectively, has created a barrier to their adoption beyond academic settings. Consequently, this study analyzes a representative set of established and emerging daylighting metrics to evaluate applicability, synergies, and limitations. Particular attention is given to their implications for occupant health, well-being, performance, and energy use, especially within the context of sensorless smart control systems. A virtual room model was simulated using DaySim 3.1 in two contrasting climates—Seville and London—with varying window-to-wall ratios, orientations, and occupancy schedules. The results show that no single metric provides a comprehensive daylighting assessment, highlighting the need for combined approaches. Daylighting Autonomy (DA) proved useful for task illumination, while Useful Daylight Illuminance (UDI) helped identify areas prone to excessive solar exposure. Spatial metrics such as Spatial Daylight Autonomy (sDA) and Annual Sunlight Exposure (ASE) offer an overview but lack necessary granularity. Circadian Stimulus Autonomy (CSA) appears promising for evaluating circadian entrainment, though its underlying models remain under refinement. Continuous Overcast Daylight Autonomy (DAo.con) shows the potential for sensorless lighting control when adjusted for orientation. A nuanced, multi-metric approach is therefore recommended.
Modelo de Aprendizaje Colaborativo, Programa y Evaluación como recursos, contexto y herramientas de innovación docente
(Universidad de Sevilla, 2022) Rivera-Gómez, Carlos; Construcciones Arquitectónicas I (ETSA)
El Ciclo de Mejora en el Aula (CIMA) planteado en esta comunicación se centra en el desarrollo de la innovación docente en la asignatura de Construcción 1 del Grado en Fundamentos de Arquitectura de la Universidad de Sevilla. El diseño se basa en tres Enfoques Metodológicos específicos: la Revisión de la Estrategia del modelo de Aprendizaje Colaborativo, la Revisión del Programa Docente como contexto específico para la intervención en la asignatura, y la Revisión de la Evaluación como conjunto de instrumentos no solo de constatación, sino formativos. Este proyecto parte, y amplía, el conjunto de estrategias y recursos empleados en un CIMA anterior sobre la misma asignatura y, debido a la complejidad del conjunto de acciones incluidas en él, se plantea con los condicionantes de un proyecto piloto.
Urban-scale building assessment and energy vulnerability mapping through an interactive geo-referenced web tool: demonstration applicability to southern Spain
(Springer, 2025-06-27) Calama-González, Carmen María; Escandón Ramírez, Rocío; Suárez, Rafael; Abajo Casado, María Encarnación; Diánez Martínez, Ana Rosa; Estructuras de Edificación e Ingeniería del Terreno; Construcciones Arquitectónicas I (ETSA); Matemática Aplicada I (ETSII); European Commission (EC). Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER); Junta de Andalucía; TEP999: HABITAE: Habitabilidad, Acondicionamiento y Energía en Arquitectura; FQM240: Invariantes en Teoría de Grafos y Optimización
Building decarbonization through energy renovation is a key challenge across the European Union, particularly in social housing sectors marked by high vulnerability. To support this goal, this study introduces a GIS-based open-access web tool for evaluating the energy performance and social vulnerability of the existing residential stock at the urban scale. The tool integrates data from public and open-source databases into a georeferenced environment, enabling systematic characterization of geometric, constructional, energy and social parameters at the urban-level, and supporting bottom-up and top-down approaches. This allows for performance evaluations, simulation model construction and the identification of high-priority buildings through energy and socioeconomic vulnerability indicators. Results from the city of Seville, used as a case study involving 2,888 dwellings) reveal that over 90% of buildings present severe winter energy vulnerability, while summer vulnerability is generally low. Socioeconomic analysis shows that more than a third of buildings house users living in severe poverty conditions. The combined vulnerability index highlights specific neighbourhoods, such as Polígono Sur, with particularly acute vulnerability levels. The tool’s scalability was demonstrated by extending it to 41 municipalities in southern Spain. This study concludes that this approach enables detailed diagnosis of structural and energy-related inequalities, integrating and analysing existing open data to perform thorough building performance assessment at urban level, and offers a rapid and reliable method for acquiring key building data and ensuring long-term adaptability through continuous updates.
How do natural ventilation strategies affect thermal comfort in educational buildings? A comparative analysis in the Mediterranean climate
(MDPI, 2025-06-12) Escandón Ramírez, Rocío; Ferrari, Simone; Cardelli, Riccardo; Blázquez de Pineda, María Teresa; Suárez, Rafael; Estructuras de Edificación e Ingeniería del Terreno; Construcciones Arquitectónicas I (ETSA); Universidad de Sevilla; Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (MICIU). España; TEP999: HABITAE: Habitabilidad, Acondicionamiento y Energía en Arquitectura
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of indoor air quality in buildings for the well-being of their occupants. In long-term occupancy buildings such as schools, where environmental conditions also impact academic performance, this importance was heightened. Despite the significant changes in ventilation practices resulting from the pandemic, recommendations have varied across different countries. This study aimed to provide a comparative analysis of the environmental conditions and air quality in classrooms in southern Spain and northern Italy (representative Mediterranean locations with different post-pandemic heating and natural ventilation approaches). Data measured on-site during periods with similar outdoor conditions were analysed to ascertain how ventilation strategies influence thermal comfort and indoor air quality. According to the results, during mild periods, high-intensity ventilation ensures excellent indoor air quality results based on CO2 concentrations, without compromising thermal comfort. Nevertheless, ventilation rates should be controlled in more adverse climate conditions to avoid negative effects on thermal comfort.
Thermal comfort assessment of secondary school building stock in southern Spain using parametric numerical models and applying different climatic and ventilation scenarios
(Elsevier, 2025-10-01) Aguilar Carrasco, María Teresa; Calama-González, Carmen María; Escandón Ramírez, Rocío; Mauro, Gerardo Maria; Suárez, Rafael; Construcciones Arquitectónicas I (ETSA); Estructuras de Edificación e Ingeniería del Terreno; TEP999: HABITAE: Habitabilidad, Acondicionamiento y Energía en Arquitectura
Climate change is accelerating global warming, leading in turn to increased thermal stress and indoor overheating, particularly in buildings with high occupancy in southern Europe. This study examines the thermal performance of secondary school buildings in southern Spain, focusing on the influence of ventilation on thermal comfort. Given the reliance on natural ventilation of a significant portion of the Mediterranean school building stock, this research aims to characterize thermal comfort conditions using validated parametric simulation models on a regional scale. The study analyses current and future comfort conditions across different climatic zones, incorporating climate change projections, and assessing overheating and undercooling risks. Results show how ventilation without thermal treatment plays a crucial role in both overheating and undercooling. Higher ventilation rates generally lead to discomfort during winter but improve comfort in summer. Building orientation and solar exposure further influence comfort, with south-facing buildings benefiting from solar gains. Projections for 2050 suggest an increase in overheating risks, particularly in cities with higher cooling degree days (CDD). Despite the benefits of higher ventilation rates, these may not fully mitigate the anticipated increase in overheating, which showcases the need for additional strategies, such as active ventilation systems, to address these challenges. The findings highlight the need for improved adaptation strategies to mitigate the effects of climate change.
Comparative analysis of scientific papers on LCA applied to nanoparticulated building materials
(MDPI, 2025-05-30) Sánchez Burgos, Marco Antonio; Blandón González, Begoña; Conradi Galnares, Esperanza; Porras Pereira, Paula; Mercader-Moyano, Pilar; Construcciones Arquitectónicas I (ETSA); TEP205: Análisis y Evaluación de Sistemas Constructivos y Estructurales en la Arquitectura; TEP206: Sath Sostenibilidad en Arquitectura, Tecnología y Patrimonio: Materialidad y Sistemas Constructivos; TEP1002: Artesa Re_lab | Architecture + Structural Research; TEP172: Arquitectura: Diseño y Técnica
Nanomaterials have emerged as versatile components revolutionizing diverse industries, yet their environmental and health impacts remain insufficiently explored. This paper delves into the latent hazards accompanying their evolution and integration, particularly within the construction sector. It addresses the critical gap in assessing their life-cycle impacts, emphasizing the necessity of explicit reporting on nanoparticle emissions. Employing a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) approach, this research evaluates the sustainability of nanomaterial applications. The absence of nanoparticle-specific data in existing product databases underscores the need for comprehensive life-cycle emission reporting. Since direct impact calculations remain unfeasible, incorporating predicted emissions and risk assessments into LCA studies is recommended. This study advocates for incorporating nanoparticle risk evaluations into LCA methodologies to enhance sustainability and environmental safety. By prioritizing precise emission data and predictive risk analysis, it advances nanomaterial environmental assessments, contributing to the responsible implementation of nanomaterials in construction.
Human toxicity of building materials and the application of the taxonomy principle in Green Public Procurement: the Life Cycle Assessment as a tool
(Springer, 2025-06-20) Rey Álvarez, Belén; Sánchez-Montañés Macías, Benito; Roberts, Matt; García Martínez, Antonio; Historia, Teoría y Composición Arquitectónicas; Construcciones Arquitectónicas I (ETSA); HUM1008: Arquitectura, Patrimonio y Ecología; TEP130: Arquitectura, Patrimonio y Sostenibilidad: Acústica, Iluminación, Óptica y Energía
The construction sector is a major contributor to global environmental impacts, but current sustainability assessments often overlook the human health risks posed by toxic building materials. While Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Green Public Procurement (GPP) aim to reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, the integration of material toxicity metrics remains fragmented, undermining holistic sustainability goals. Building materials release hazardous substances throughout their lifecycle, affecting indoor air quality, public health, and ecosystems. However, regulatory frameworks and LCA methodologies prioritise carbon emissions, leaving toxicity under-assessed and unregulated in most policies. Here, we show that persistent gaps in standardised toxicity data, inconsistent application of European (EU) taxonomy principles, and disparities in GPP criteria across member states hinder effective mitigation of toxicological risks. By analysing more than 150 studies and EU procurement practices, we demonstrate that only a few LCA studies integrate toxicity metrics and fewer than 10% of public projects align with the European principle of'Do not significantly harm'. Our findings reveal that harmonising toxicity thresholds in LCA databases, mandating quantitative criteria in GPP, and expanding circular economy strategies could bridge these gaps. This study establishes a direct link between material toxicity and regulatory fragmentation, advocating for policies that equally prioritise toxicity reduction and decarbonisation. These insights underscore the urgency of aligning EU sustainability frameworks with health-centric metrics, ensuring public investments foster safer, biocompatible materials. By redefining procurement standards and advancing interdisciplinary collaboration, this work provides a roadmap for transforming construction practices, safeguarding both environmental integrity and human health.
A framework to support the design of a regenerative indoor environment
(Frontiers Media, 2023) Pistore, Lorenza; Konstantinou, Thaleia; Pasut, Wilmer; Naboni, Emanuele; Construcciones Arquitectónicas I (ETSA); European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST)
In recent decades, a new generation of “green indoor” spaces has fulfilled the latest regulations and guidelines for a carbon-neutral society. Their targets are reachable through certifications embracing sets of measures and the adverse effects on occupants. Notwithstanding this, it has constituted a significant step forward in building design. However, the challenges given by climate change and the ecological crises lead to the need for new disruptive approaches to indoor design and function, enhancing human health and adopting regenerative design” at the forefront of buildings’ conception. Besides the positive energy-performance attributes, the creation of a Regenerative Indoor Environment utilizes appropriate construction technologies and systems, to reinforce human health, and enhance users’ experience. This regenerative paradigm shift foresees putting ecosystems at the centre and the users’ psycho-physiological wellbeing, thus magnifying their collaboration. Despite regenerative design gaining some attention, a framework towards its implementation promoting the actual performances of the indoor environment is still missing, and designers do navigate among guidelines with no apparent performance indicators to be achieved, technologies to be implemented, or methodologies for post-occupancy evaluations. These three levels, constituting a stepwise methodology, are addressed by the authors within the sections of this paper, and validated as an example of the office buildings’ typology. i) What characterizes a Regenerative Indoor Environment? ii) What technical solutions underpin the realization of a Regenerative Indoor Environment? iii) What methods or standards are crucial for its evaluation? With these premises, the paper contributes to supporting the creation of a regenerative indoor’ design, by sampling and outlining regenerative indoor performances to be obtained, describing the adequate tools to implement them, as well as by displaying approaches and solutions for their final verification.
Testing a digital sustainable regenerative teaching framework in an architectural undergraduate design studio
(MDPI, 2025-05-29) Naboni, Emanuele; Azzali, Simona; Imparato, Massimo; Construcciones Arquitectónicas I (ETSA)
We are confronted with an urgent imperative to transition from merely minimizing harm to developing sustainable, regenerative, and net-positive solutions that systematically restore ecosystems, achieve decarbonization, and enhance health outcomes. This study presents a phased Digital Sustainable Regenerative Design Studio framework, which was implemented in a third-year architecture studio at the Canadian University of Dubai. This methodology incorporates bespoke environmental simulation tools alongside quantitative metrics for climate adaptation, biodiversity, carbon sequestration, and health outcomes to inform creative design solutions. The students devised interventions across 20 urban plots in Dubai. A comprehensive analysis, encompassing real-time engagement with computational tools, reflective journals, feedback sessions, project analysis, and surveys, was conducted to assess the framework’s effectiveness in enhancing students’ comprehension of regenerative design and to examine their responses to complex, interdisciplinary challenges. Key findings reveal improved student performance in applying regenerative design principles and the formulation of strategies for climate-adaptive urbanism. The results suggest that this educational framework has the potential to influence and enhance pedagogical approaches, fostering architects committed to advancing sustainable, regenerative, and climate-adaptive urbanism.
Window Frame Design Optimization Analysis Based on Hygrothermal Performance and the Level(s) Framework
(MDPI, 2025-06-19) Verichev, Konstantin; Díaz López, Carmen; García-Ruíz, Andrés; Valdenegro, Francisca; Construcciones Arquitectónicas I (ETSA); Agencia Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo (ANID). Chile
This study investigates the hygrothermal performance of window frames to assess their capacity to prevent surface condensation—a critical factor for indoor air quality and building durability, particularly in humid climates. Driven by the practical need to replace existing aluminum frames with more sustainable alternatives, the research evaluates standard aluminum frames against modified timber frames designed to replicate the aluminum geometry. Using daily temperature and humidity data from Valdivia, Chile (2023)—a city with a temperate oceanic and humid climate—interior surface temperatures were simulated with HTflux software and compared against dew point values over a relative humidity (RH) range from 40% to 80%. A novel methodology is proposed for verifying the hygrothermal behavior of window frames based on annual performance analysis and highlighting the need to optimize window design according to specific local climate conditions. The results indicate that modified timber frames exhibited consistently lower average interior surface temperatures (by 1.2 °C) and a significantly higher risk of surface condensation compared to aluminum frames, particularly at typical comfort-level indoor humidity conditions (e.g., 167 vs. 100 condensation days at 50% RH). While both materials presented a high risk of condensation under extreme humidity conditions (80% RH), timber frames showed potentially greater severity of condensation. These findings underscore that the proposed timber frame modification is not hygrothermally adequate without strict control of indoor humidity. Anchored in the Level(s) framework, the study emphasizes the critical influence of geometric design on material performance and advocates for holistic, sustainable construction practices that balance energy efficiency, environmental impact, and occupant comfort. It highlights the need for integrated design solutions and effective moisture management to ensure building resilience in humid environments.
Experimental assessment of the interaction between indoor air quality and thermal comfort in naturally ventilated secondary classrooms in southern Spain
(Elsevier, 2025-08) Escandón Ramírez, Rocío; Calama-González, Carmen María; Suárez, Rafael; Estructuras de Edificación e Ingeniería del Terreno; Construcciones Arquitectónicas I (ETSA); Universidad de Sevilla; TEP999: HABITAE: Habitabilidad, Acondicionamiento y Energía en Arquitectura
Current European policies focus on achieving climate neutrality by 2050. However, the COVID-19 crisis has disrupted social conditions, reigniting the debate on buildings with high occupancy and static users for long periods, such as schools, given their inadequate health and comfort conditions. In the Mediterranean climate, most school buildings lack suitable ventilation systems, due to either their age or a reluctance to use mechanical ventilation systems. This study provides a quantitative analysis of current behavioural and environmental factors affecting pollutant exposure, covering the gap in the existing literature on simultaneous assessment on indoor air quality conditions (CO2, PM2.5, PM10), and hygrothermal comfort (temperature and relative humidity) in a post-COVID scenario in existing secondary school buildings in southern Spain. For this purpose, a continuous monitoring of indoor environmental conditions in cooling, mild, and heating seasons is proposed to assess the influence of natural ventilation conditions on indoor air quality and thermal comfort, instead of the short-term monitoring focused on specific periods frequently found in previous studies. The results show a widespread use of natural overventilation through windows, especially in summer (more than 50 % of the occupied hours), to guarantee indoor air quality conditions (with CO2 below 900 ppm during almost 100 % of the occupied hours). However, in general, this involves clearly compromising thermal conditions (with seasonal average values above 25 °C and 100 % of the occupied hours in discomfort during the hottest weeks) and a moderate loss of cognitive performance during more than 97 % of the summer occupied hours.
The acoustics of 16th-century Jesuit churches in Andalusia: Latin cross plans following the model of Il Gesù
(Elsevier, 2025-09-05) León Rodríguez, Jesús; Alberdi Causse, Enedina; Bustamante, Pedro; Galindo del Pozo, Miguel; Construcciones Arquitectónicas I (ETSA); Física Aplicada II; TEP999: HABITAE: Habitabilidad, Acondicionamiento y Energía en Arquitectura; TEP130: Arquitectura, Patrimonio y Sostenibilidad: Acústica, Iluminación, Óptica y Energía
Following the Council of Trent, profound changes were observed in ecclesiastical architectural space as a result of the new spirit infused into the Catholic Church by the Counter-Reformation. The Jesuit mother church, Il Gesù, contributed to the consolidation of the model of the single nave church, eliminating the aisles and reducing the size of the transept. This architectural model was disseminated in step with the expansion of the Society. The churches of Santa Catalina (Cordoba), La Anunciación (Seville), and La Encarnación (Marchena, Seville) provide emblematic examples of the model adopted by the Society of Jesus in the second half of the 16th century in Andalusia. The typological, geometric, and material similarities displayed by these churches enable a common analysis of the sound field, to be carried out through in-situ acoustic measurements and simulations. The study of different source positions in similar models enables the determination of the optimal source and receiver configurations. It was found that the position on the main altar, coinciding with the position of the priest in the Tridentine rite, does not facilitate the perception of the sound field, except in the positions in the high tribunes. When the source is under the dome of the transept, the sound field evaluation is more favourable. Conversely, a comparative analysis of churches considered to be ’twins’, St Catalina and La Anunciación, has shown the impact that the interior cladding of these spaces has on the perception of their sound field.
The influence of the urban heat island effect on the energy performance of residential buildings in a city with an oceanic climate during the summer period: Case of Valdivia, Chile
(Elsevier, 2023) Verichev, Konstantin; Salazar-Concha, Cristian; Díaz López, Carmen; Carpio, Manuel; Construcciones Arquitectónicas I (ETSA); Agencia Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo (ANID). Chile
The intensification of urban growth and climate change are affecting the energy and thermal performance of buildings. In recent years, the issue of building resilience to urban heat island (UHI) conditions has become increasingly relevant. The energy performance of buildings can vary significantly in different areas of the same city, regardless of their size. The aim of this study was to evaluate the energy effects of UHI intensity differences in various local climate zones (LCZs) of Valdivia city, Chile, on a typical residential dwelling. A simplified methodology was used, based on the assessment of cooling degree days variations and heat gains variations inside the studied house through the thermal envelope. Valdivia has a homogeneous urban morphology, and three types of low-rise LCZs prevail in the city (LCZ 3, 6, and 9). The results showed that the average cooling demand for a 66 m2 residential dwelling during 39 summer days was 158 kWh for LCZ 9, 219 kWh for LCZ 6, and 289 kWh for LCZ 3, compared to the rural demand of 114 kWh. These results suggest that the energy effects of UHI can be significant, and that it is important to study the microclimatic conditions in various LCZs for a correct understanding of the UHI energy effects on different buildings.
Ventilation Strategies to Ensure Thermal Comfort for Users in School Buildings: A Critical Review
(MDPI, 2025) Aguilar Carrasco, María Teresa; López Lovillo, Remedios María; Suárez, Rafael; León-Rodríguez, Ángel Luis; Construcciones Arquitectónicas I (ETSA); Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (MICIU). España
People spend most of their time indoors, where air quality is crucial to health. In this context, this study conducts a critical review of ventilation strategies in schools to ensure air quality, as well as to guarantee students’ thermal comfort. Based on a bibliographical review, strategies from previous studies are identified and evaluated in order to determine their advantages. After a detailed search, a total of 19 articles were selected, which provides a thorough analysis of the ventilation strategies in school buildings considering thermal comfort. The identified strategies were categorized into natural, mechanical, and hybrid types. The results reveal a prevalence of natural ventilation, which accounts for over 50% of strategies in all climates. Mechanical ventilation is less common and is applicable to around 30% of cases. Hybrid strategies, combining natural and mechanical ventilation, are the least used and only appear in oceanic climates, with a usage rate of 20%. Most studies highlight the lack of air conditioning in many schools, making adequate thermal stress management through ventilation crucial. The results analyzed clearly show a lack of studies with optimal results whose ventilation strategies can be replicated in other similar educational buildings, ensuring thermal comfort and air quality.

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