Energy efficiency through passive design in the reuse of 20th century buildings with heritage value in Mexico

Abstract

The thermal behavior of different elements of the façade of a 20th century heritage building is experimentally analyzed, comparing the current state with a passive design proposal that preserves the aesthetics of the façade and its artistic value. To find out if by thermally adapting the comfort strategy of a heritage building to a new sustainable use, without modifying the exterior appearance, energy demands and heat flow to the interior can be reduced to maintain comfort in the spaces is the aim. The strategies to be applied are determined considering the climatic context of the study case. Then, the heat flows in the energy mo-deling of the stone mural walls are analyzed to compare the results with the passive stra-tegies applied. Finally, the effects of shading elements on the interior spaces are analyzed. The results show that the proposed envelope, which considers thermal insulation, thermal mass, and double glazing, considerably reduces the heat flow to the interior. In the analysis of the shading elements, it is suggested that they reduce solar radiation to the interior, but also the entry of natural lighting, therefore, it should be evaluatedwhether to reduce energy consumption in air conditioning or artificial lighting. In this way, the historical and artistic value of a heritage building is preserved, while adapting it to the current climatic needs derived from global warming, despite the limitations of the intervention to the façade.