Showcases in the CEELA project countries

The construction sector has great potential to contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation and to improve people’s quality of life. Currently, this sector is responsible for almost 40% of CO₂ emissions worldwide and this is expected to increase.

The CEELA project showcase buildings are social houses and educational buildings that incorporate principles of energy efficiency, renewable energy, and high standards of comfort. The showcase buildings are located in hot climate zones in 4 countries Mexico, Peru, Colombia, and Ecuador.

There is a correlation between the temperature in a classroom and the performance of students. If the temperature in a school in hot climate zones can be reduced to below 30 degrees, the performance of the pupils noticeably improves. This is the main reason why we focus on school infrastructure. A school with good comfort levels contributes to enhanced learning for young people.

The goal of all showcase buildings is to achieve the following 3 objectives: a) to show how comfort can be increased in schools and social housing; b) to determine which technologies can achieve self-generation of electricity and air conditioning based on renewable energy and energy efficiency, and c) how CO2 emissions can be reduced in buildings throughout the life cycle.

As part of the CEELA project, 15 principles have been defined and included in the showcase buildings during the Design Charrette (15 EEAC Principles CEELA). The Design Charrette is a three-day intensive workshop where architects and engineers work together to evaluate the construction project from the viewpoint of the 15 principles CEELA. This process has proven to be a successful exercise in integrating the different visions of the key actors, agreeing on the overall approach to increasing energy efficiency, renewable energy, and comfort in the building.

The first project that was analysed with this methodology was the DAMMAR residential complex, a social housing project located in the city of Cartagena, Colombia (Showcase Colombia). DAMMAR has 352 housing units. Natural ventilation is incorporated and direct solar radiation control is highlighted, as Cartagena is one of the areas with the highest solar radiation levels in Colombia. The first units are expected to be delivered in November 2023.

Showcase Colombia

The second project that was analysed was the Aldea Tulum residential complex in Mexico, a social housing project located in the city of Tulum, State of Quintana Roo (Showcase Mexico). Aldea Tulum will have 8,052 housing units, to be constructed in six stages. Stages 1 and 2 are partially completed or under construction. Stage 3 will implement the Energy Efficiency and Adaptive Comfort strategies from CEELA. Stage 3 construction began in January 2022. A four-story building with two 49m2 apartments was chosen for the pilot. The project implemented several energy efficiency strategies such as thermal insulation in walls through perlite filling in block wall voids, a ceiling fan in the living room, natural ventilation and efficient lighting.

Showcase Mexico

The third project that was analysed is the Moises Rebata Public School, located in Nazca, Peru (watch thematic video). The process involved the participation of 30 stakeholders and professionals from the CEELA team.

Showcase Peru

The fourth project that was analysed was the University of Azuay, located in the city of Cuenca, Ecuador. Five of the CEELA principles were highlighted: Control of direct solar radiation, insulation, bioclimatic design of exterior spaces, self-generation of renewable electric energy, and a monitoring system (Universidad de Azuay – Proyecto CEELA).

Universidad de Azuay

All showcase buildings will be monitored after the construction stage, where the efficiency, renewable energy and comfort of each project will be measured and analysed.

Based on the main objective, a monitoring plan composed of three main parts was proposed, as follows:

  • A physical monitoring system based on environmental and energy parameter sensors, data storage and visualization.
  • A system of survey questions to showcase users to provide information on the thermal and energy performance of the houses, in relation to comfort conditions and socioeconomic benefits.
  • A system for evaluating data from the survey system, electric bills and the environmental parameter monitoring system.

In the case of the Ecuador showcase, the University of Azuay incorporated a constant monitoring system in classrooms and laboratories to measure parameters such as temperature, CO2, and relative humidity. In addition, student satisfaction surveys were conducted. The results of the monitoring of the measures implemented in this showcase will be ready in December 2022.

Authors: Roger Walther and Johana Infante, EBP.
The article has been published in the SDC Climate Change & Environment Network

Spanish version

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