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

Belén Onecha and Alicia Dotor
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Belén Onecha: Architecture Technology Department, Barcelona School of Architecture, Polytechnic University of Catalonia, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
Alicia Dotor: Association of Architects of Catalonia, 08005 Barcelona, Spain

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 5, 1-20

Abstract: Concerns about the energy performance of heritage buildings have grown exponentially over the last decade. However, actions have been limited to reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions. Another perspective must be studied—the thermal comfort of users, for human welfare and health. The assessment of thermal comfort inside a historic building with a single, large volume interior space is not easy. The complexity increases if the building has high cultural protection and its envelope cannot be altered, to preserve its historical values. This paper focuses on this kind of building and describes a dynamic simulation method used to assess thermal comfort in the Gothic Basilica of Sta. Maria del Mar in Barcelona. The basilica’s interior thermal conditions are intense cold during the winter and extreme heat and sultriness during the summer. Several simulation scenarios were considered to highlight the failure to obtain thermal comfort for users through passive strategies during the summer period. When all the factors are considered, the only valid strategy is to introduce an active system. This must be minimized according to three criteria: reducing operational periods, considering just the air volume next to users and adjusting the level of comfort requirement.

Keywords: thermal comfort in historical buildings; dynamic simulation method for the assessment of historical buildings; historical buildings with large volume interior space; heritage intervention (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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