Simulation method to assess thermal comfort in historical buildings with high-volume interior dpaces—The case of the gothic basilica of Sta. Maria del Mar in Barcelona

Concerns about the energy performance of heritage buildings have grown exponentially over the last decade. However, actions have been limited to reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions. Another perspective must be studied—the thermal comfort of users, for human welfare and health. The asses...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Onecha Pérez, Ana Belén|||0000-0002-6857-8576, Dotor Navarro, Alicia María
Format: article
Publication Date:2021
Country:España
Institution:Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC)
Repository:UPCommons. Portal del coneixement obert de la UPC
Language:English
OAI Identifier:oai:upcommons.upc.edu:2117/400571
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/2117/400571
https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su13052980
Access Level:Open access
Keyword:Architecture and energy conservation
Historic buildings
Thermal comfort in historical buildings
dynamic simulation method for the assessment of historical buildings
historical buildings with large volume interior space
heritage intervention
Energia--Estalvi
Edificis històrics
Àrees temàtiques de la UPC::Arquitectura
Description
Summary:Concerns about the energy performance of heritage buildings have grown exponentially over the last decade. However, actions have been limited to reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions. Another perspective must be studied—the thermal comfort of users, for human welfare and health. The assessment of thermal comfort inside a historic building with a single, large volume interior space is not easy. The complexity increases if the building has high cultural protection and its envelope cannot be altered, to preserve its historical values. This paper focuses on this kind of building and describes a dynamic simulation method used to assess thermal comfort in the Gothic Basilica of Sta. Maria del Mar in Barcelona. The basilica’s interior thermal conditions are intense cold during the winter and extreme heat and sultriness during the summer. Several simulation scenarios were considered to highlight the failure to obtain thermal comfort for users through passive strategies during the summer period. When all the factors are considered, the only valid strategy is to introduce an active system. This must be minimized according to three criteria: reducing operational periods, considering just the air volume next to users and adjusting the level of comfort requirement.