Monitoring the thermal comfort of a multifamily housing building from the modern movement period

Abstract

This paper presents the thermal comfort monitoring of a heritage multifamily housing building from the Modern Movement period. The objective of this analysis is related to the need of defining appropriate strategies for (re)use, maintenance and possible intervention in heritage buildings of this period in order to fulfil contemporary expectations of thermal comfort, but still maintaining its identity. In situ measurements were carried out to verify the passive thermal response of this now unoccupied building designed by Architects Armenio Losa and Cassiano Barbosa. Good solar orientation, wood window frames incorporating ventilation and shading systems, insulation and waterproofing were part of the construction lexicon of these architects that were applied in this building. From the analysis carried out to the original design, it can be concluded that thermal passive comfort was already intrinsic and appeared as a central concern. Our expectation is that, minimum adjustments and repairs in the already integrated systems, combined with occupancy, can be enough to fulfil contemporary expectations in users' thermal comfort, considering the Adaptive Comfort Model. If future intervention reveals necessary, we believe that this study can contribute to adequately decide the most appropriate strategies: if functional refurbishment replacement of elements or simple repair.