Improvement of Traditional Building Procedures in Dwellings towards an Energy-Efficient and Low-Carbon Architecture Practice in Mexico

Abstract

Brick-and-concrete based construction elements traditionally built for low-dense housing in Mexico were tested using energy modelling software to assess their thermal performance. Afterwards, an evaluation on physical properties of regionally available construction and insulating materials was made to propose alternative specification with reduced carbon and energy-efficient building envelopes.

Application of suggested improved building fabrics in this study intend to contribute to a reduction in energy demand in hot climate regions, where dwellings’ electricity consumption escalates due to artificial cooling, while simultaneously considering fabric’s specification, the level of craftmanship from local construction workers and the technologies available in the country.