IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v13y2021i8p4563-d539752.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Barriers on Establishing Passive Strategies in Office Spaces: A Case Study in a Historic University Building

Author

Listed:
  • Nuno Baía Saraiva

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Coimbra, ADAI, Rua Luís Reis Santos, Pólo II, 3030-788 Coimbra, Portugal)

  • Luisa Dias Pereira

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Coimbra, ADAI, Rua Luís Reis Santos, Pólo II, 3030-788 Coimbra, Portugal)

  • Adélio Rodrigues Gaspar

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Coimbra, ADAI, Rua Luís Reis Santos, Pólo II, 3030-788 Coimbra, Portugal)

  • José Joaquim da Costa

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Coimbra, ADAI, Rua Luís Reis Santos, Pólo II, 3030-788 Coimbra, Portugal)

Abstract

The adaptation of spaces to different usage typologies can be complex in heritage buildings. Facilities were initially planned for a specific type of use that, when changed, require additional measures to ensure a suitable indoor environment. Passive strategies—e.g., free cooling—are commonly used as an alternative without requiring equipment installation. However, its implementation often leads to unsatisfactory conditions. Therefore, it is important to clarify the main barriers to achieving thermal comfort in readapted historic buildings. The present work investigates the thermal comfort conditions reported by workers in office spaces of a historic building in the University of Coimbra. A monitoring campaign was carried out between May and September 2020 to assess indoor conditions’ quality. Due to the current pandemic of COVID-19, offices were not occupied at full capacity. A one-day evaluation of thermal comfort was made using a climate analyzer and six occupants were surveyed on 19 August 2020. The main results highlighted discomfort due to overheating of spaces. The causes were related to the combination of inadequate implementation of the free cooling actions and the building use. Furthermore, it was recommended the installation of HVAC systems in case of full capacity.

Suggested Citation

  • Nuno Baía Saraiva & Luisa Dias Pereira & Adélio Rodrigues Gaspar & José Joaquim da Costa, 2021. "Barriers on Establishing Passive Strategies in Office Spaces: A Case Study in a Historic University Building," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-15, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:8:p:4563-:d:539752
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/8/4563/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/8/4563/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Michele Roccotelli & Alessandro Rinaldi & Maria Pia Fanti & Francesco Iannone, 2020. "Building Energy Management for Passive Cooling Based on Stochastic Occupants Behavior Evaluation," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-24, December.
    2. Alexander Rieser & Rainer Pfluger & Alexandra Troi & Daniel Herrera-Avellanosa & Kirsten Engelund Thomsen & Jørgen Rose & Zeynep Durmuş Arsan & Gulden Gokcen Akkurt & Gerhard Kopeinig & Gaëlle Guyot &, 2021. "Integration of Energy-Efficient Ventilation Systems in Historic Buildings—Review and Proposal of a Systematic Intervention Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-21, February.
    3. Luisa Dias Pereira & Vanessa Tavares & Nelson Soares, 2021. "Up-To-Date Challenges for the Conservation, Rehabilitation and Energy Retrofitting of Higher Education Cultural Heritage Buildings," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-11, February.
    4. Wang, Zhe & Hong, Tianzhen & Piette, Mary Ann, 2019. "Data fusion in predicting internal heat gains for office buildings through a deep learning approach," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 240(C), pages 386-398.
    5. Blázquez, Teresa & Ferrari, Simone & Suárez, Rafael & Sendra, Juan José, 2019. "Adaptive approach-based assessment of a heritage residential complex in southern Spain for improving comfort and energy efficiency through passive strategies: A study based on a monitored flat," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 181(C), pages 504-520.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Belén Onecha & Alicia Dotor & Carlos Marmolejo-Duarte, 2021. "Beyond Cultural and Historic Values, Sustainability as a New Kind of Value for Historic Buildings," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(15), pages 1-18, July.
    2. Panagiotis Michailidis & Iakovos Michailidis & Dimitrios Vamvakas & Elias Kosmatopoulos, 2023. "Model-Free HVAC Control in Buildings: A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(20), pages 1-45, October.
    3. Belén Onecha & Alicia Dotor, 2021. "Simulation Method to Assess Thermal Comfort in Historical Buildings with High-Volume Interior Spaces—The Case of the Gothic Basilica of Sta. Maria del Mar in Barcelona," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-20, March.
    4. Eleonora Laurini & Mariangela De Vita & Pierluigi De Berardinis, 2021. "Monitoring the Indoor Air Quality: A Case Study of Passive Cooling from Historical Hypogeal Rooms," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-15, April.
    5. Wei, Ziqing & Zhang, Tingwei & Yue, Bao & Ding, Yunxiao & Xiao, Ran & Wang, Ruzhu & Zhai, Xiaoqiang, 2021. "Prediction of residential district heating load based on machine learning: A case study," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 231(C).
    6. Wang, Zhe & Hong, Tianzhen & Piette, Mary Ann, 2019. "Predicting plug loads with occupant count data through a deep learning approach," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 181(C), pages 29-42.
    7. Mariangela De Vita & Francesco Duronio & Angelo De Vita & Pierluigi De Berardinis, 2022. "Adaptive Retrofit for Adaptive Reuse: Converting an Industrial Chimney into a Ventilation Duct to Improve Internal Comfort in a Historic Environment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-24, March.
    8. Alessia Buda & Ernst Jan de Place Hansen & Alexander Rieser & Emanuela Giancola & Valeria Natalina Pracchi & Sara Mauri & Valentina Marincioni & Virginia Gori & Kalliopi Fouseki & Cristina S. Polo Lóp, 2021. "Conservation-Compatible Retrofit Solutions in Historic Buildings: An Integrated Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-19, March.
    9. Wang, Ran & Lu, Shilei & Feng, Wei, 2020. "A novel improved model for building energy consumption prediction based on model integration," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 262(C).
    10. Joan Manuel Felix Benitez & Luis Alfonso del Portillo-Valdés & Victor José del Campo Díaz & Koldobika Martin Escudero, 2020. "Simulation and Thermo-Energy Analysis of Building Types in the Dominican Republic to Evaluate and Introduce Energy Efficiency in the Envelope," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(14), pages 1-14, July.
    11. López-Pérez, Luis Adrián & Flores-Prieto, José Jassón, 2023. "Adaptive thermal comfort approach to save energy in tropical climate educational building by artificial intelligence," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 263(PA).
    12. Hasim Altan & Bertug Ozarisoy, 2022. "An Analysis of the Development of Modular Building Design Elements to Improve Thermal Performance of a Representative High Rise Residential Estate in the Coastline City of Famagusta, Cyprus," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-50, March.
    13. Blum, David & Wang, Zhe & Weyandt, Chris & Kim, Donghun & Wetter, Michael & Hong, Tianzhen & Piette, Mary Ann, 2022. "Field demonstration and implementation analysis of model predictive control in an office HVAC system," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 318(C).
    14. Wenxiao Chu & Francesco Calise & Neven Duić & Poul Alberg Østergaard & Maria Vicidomini & Qiuwang Wang, 2020. "Recent Advances in Technology, Strategy and Application of Sustainable Energy Systems," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(19), pages 1-29, October.
    15. Cristina S. Polo López & Elena Lucchi & Eleonora Leonardi & Antonello Durante & Anne Schmidt & Roger Curtis, 2021. "Risk-Benefit Assessment Scheme for Renewable Solar Solutions in Traditional and Historic Buildings," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-35, May.
    16. Bai, Yufu & Long, Tianhe & Li, Wuyan & Li, Yongcai & Liu, Shuli & Wang, Zhihao & Lu, Jun & Huang, Sheng, 2022. "Experimental investigation of natural ventilation characteristics of a solar chimney coupled with earth-air heat exchanger (SCEAHE) system in summer and winter," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 193(C), pages 1001-1018.
    17. Pochwała, Sławomir & Anweiler, Stanisław & Tańczuk, Mariusz & Klementowski, Igor & Przysiężniuk, Dawid & Adrian, Łukasz & McNamara, Greg & Stevanović, Žana, 2023. "Energy source impact on the economic and environmental effects of retrofitting a heritage building with a heat pump system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 278(PB).
    18. Tamer, Tolga & Gürsel Dino, Ipek & Meral Akgül, Cagla, 2022. "Data-driven, long-term prediction of building performance under climate change: Building energy demand and BIPV energy generation analysis across Turkey," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 162(C).
    19. Das, Anooshmita & Annaqeeb, Masab Khalid & Azar, Elie & Novakovic, Vojislav & Kjærgaard, Mikkel Baun, 2020. "Occupant-centric miscellaneous electric loads prediction in buildings using state-of-the-art deep learning methods," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 269(C).
    20. Wei, Shuangyu & Tien, Paige Wenbin & Calautit, John Kaiser & Wu, Yupeng & Boukhanouf, Rabah, 2020. "Vision-based detection and prediction of equipment heat gains in commercial office buildings using a deep learning method," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 277(C).

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:8:p:4563-:d:539752. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.