/library/oar/handle/123456789/42543 2025-11-09T18:15:35Z 2025-11-09T18:15:35Z Hoppe, Michaela /library/oar/handle/123456789/42623 2019-04-26T01:24:08Z 2010-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Manual for improving the energy performance of existing buildings using timber and derived timber products Authors: Hoppe, Michaela Abstract: Against a background of advancing climate change, brought about by CO2 emissions, and rising energy prices, it becomes ever more important to use renewable energy sources and, above all, to improve the energy performance of existing buildings. A significant step in this connection is the introduction of energy certificates for buildings within the EU, which must be accompanied by recommendations for the cost-effective improvement of the building‘s energy performance. The upcoming introduction of this Energy Performance Certificate was the key reason for a research project of the Department of Building Physics at the Technische Universität München. The project’s primary aim is the development of design principles that will lead to a reduction of energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions in the built stock, using renewable and sustainable materials such as timber and timber derived products. The resulting manual provides technical support for energy consultants in helping them to choose ecological and reasonable energy refurbishment measures. Technical drawings of the particular measures are rounded off with explanation of the main structural and physical aspects as well as cost-effectiveness.

2010-01-01T00:00:00Z Samaniego Angulo, Cristina /library/oar/handle/123456789/42622 2019-04-26T01:24:15Z 2010-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Dimensions of the sustainability and optimal values of the indicators for building of houses Authors: Samaniego Angulo, Cristina Abstract: These days, the need of respecting the environment is an issue that people are becoming more aware of. This change takes place not only in order to respect the nature, but also as a result of better information on the effects that the human actions have in their surroundings and the verification of which it is not possible to maintain an increasing level of development without considering the limitations in the available resources. In addition to an aesthetic influence, construction exerts a strong influence on the urban environmental quality. A change in the way of designing, building, maintaining, renewing and demolishing the buildings and their surroundings will allow establishing a situation of improvement in the "environmental, economic and social benefits" of the towns and cities and in the quality of life of the citizens.

2010-01-01T00:00:00Z Valentino, Peter Buhagiar, Vincent /library/oar/handle/123456789/42620 2019-04-26T01:24:19Z 2010-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Environmental imagination : sustainability as a source of inspiration to architectural design Authors: Valentino, Peter; Buhagiar, Vincent Abstract: The world is witnessing a current urgency around environmental issues and the contribution that architecture can make towards a more sustainable world is considerable. The architecture community has begun to embrace the basics of environmentally responsible design. No reputable firm on the international scene, small or large, can afford not to market their ‘green’ capabilities. But still the architecture scene in Malta has been very slow to react. It is sobering to reflect on the Maltese context, to confront how little has changed, and how much, and with what intense urgency, needs to change. This paper is intended to give a refreshing outlook to the way that sustainable architecture in Malta is currently being portrayed.

2010-01-01T00:00:00Z Verdelho, Sara Corvacho, Helena /library/oar/handle/123456789/42618 2019-04-26T01:24:14Z 2010-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Cooling potential of natural ventilation in Portuguese climatic conditions Authors: Verdelho, Sara; Corvacho, Helena Abstract: In order to evaluate the cooling potential of natural ventilation, in Portuguese climatic conditions and for the most common architectural typologies, a parametric simulation study has been carried out at the Laboratory of Building Physics of FEUP [1]. This research work constitutes the basis for this paper and has been developed in several stages. First, the parameters that influence the promotion of natural ventilation have been identified. The impact of outdoor environment has been evaluated considering the variation of solar radiation, outdoor air temperature, exposure to wind and site characteristics. Architectural parameters like building form, type, location and size of exterior and interior openings and high or low thermal mass construction have also been tested. Several ventilation schedules have been studied and different comfort criteria have been discussed. In this paper, some of the results of this wider work will be reported. For a standard dwelling, the evaluation of the cooling potential of natural ventilation for the different Portuguese summer climatic regions will be presented and the influence on that potential of the size of openings, their opening schedule and their location on the facades and also the influence of the dwelling configuration will be approached.

2010-01-01T00:00:00Z