Mónica Macieira

Architectural membranes on building’s functional refurbishment

The aim of this study is to make an insight about architectural membrane applications for buildings functional refurbishment, analysing the characteristics that make architectural membranes suitable for this purpose. It is based on sixty interventions used as case studies that are classified chronologically and by countries and uses, pointing out also their applications. Several design strategies are identified and contrasted with the principles set for interventions in existing buildings. The results are illustrated with examples chosen from the case studies, highlighting how membrane building technologies can fulfil the most important principles of building refurbishment.

Environmental and economic cost analysis of housing in temperate climate using an innovative lightweight partitioning system

This paper presents an economic and environmental cost analysis of a representative Portuguese housing dwelling unit using an innovative lightweight adjustable membrane partitioning system, developed within a research project. The environmental and economic costs of this system, both on the construction and occupancy phases, were compared with the Portuguese conventional dividing wall solution, in hollow brick, simulated on the same reference dwelling, using the same layout and remaining constructive elements. The occupancy phase costs were evaluated by computer simulation, which allowed determining how the occupancy schedule of daytime and night time occupied areas may influence the cooling and heating needs for different solar orientations.