Thermal Performance of Traditional and New Concept Houses in the Ancient Village of San Pedro De Atacama and Surroundings

Massimo Palme, José Guerra and Sergio Alfaro
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Massimo Palme: School of Architecture, Catholic University of the North, Av. Angamos 610, Antofagasta 1240000, Chile
José Guerra: School of Architecture, Catholic University of the North, Av. Angamos 610, Antofagasta 1240000, Chile
Sergio Alfaro: School of Architecture, Catholic University of the North, Av. Angamos 610, Antofagasta 1240000, Chile

Sustainability, 2014, vol. 6, issue 6, 1-17

Abstract: Earth, wood and others traditional materials are still used in house constructions in many regions of the world, especially in the Andes. San Pedro de Atacama, for example, is a small town where earth blocks (adobes) and rammed earth (tapial) are important ways to construct, an art passed on through generations. Energy properties of earth are very interesting: thermal conductivity is low; heat storage capacity is high; color is variable and can be used to absorb or to reject solar radiation. However, nowadays the government social dwelling service is proposing a different type of construction, which does not maintain any relation with the tradition. This paper presents simulation studies and monitoring of four different San Pedro houses, constructed by using different techniques and materials. Results can be used to discuss the thermal performance needed in desert climate and the reliability of social dwelling service houses, under construction at this time in the town.

Keywords: energy efficiency; internal comfort; adobe; rammed earth; earth architecture; traditional houses; Atacama desert (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2014
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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