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- Choreographing network-based influences on the homeowners’ decision journey about energy-related renovationsPublication . Abreu, Maria Isabel; Oliveira, Rui; Lopes, JorgeCommunity engagement with the energy efficiency in housing is seen as a very challenging strategy that governments need to prioritize for climate agenda. Recent studies shed light on the underlying influences of some networks of actors in the homeowners’ decision to improve the energy-efficiency of their homes. Understanding the accurate role that both social and professional networks within communities play among homeowners seems to be paramount for energy policies enlargement and effectiveness. In a network level perspective, interpersonal communication, which has so far been undervalued, appears to be an influential mode of trust and information to energy-related activities. An exploratory research has been carried out in order to gain a sense about the whole chain in action between the above mentioned actors as agents of change. Semi-structured in-depth interviews with different Portuguese stakeholders involved in the renovation journey of owner occupied single-family houses were conducted. The findings signpost that interpersonal networks play a trustworthy and beneficial source of information along the entire renovation decision-making journey. In general, these interpersonal connections are conveyed in the social network activating the homeowners’ willingness to renovate, being a reliable channel for peer learning, guiding homeowners in the selection of professionals and acting also as an evaluative judgement tool to assess these same professionals in their technical advice. The results strengthen the view that the sense of neighbourliness, proximity and cooperation between citizens engaged in energy issues could pave the way to empower these utmost interpersonal networks which can have positive effects to encouraging house energy improvements.
- Analysis of lean construction influence in building processes using BIM 4D: case studyPublication . Ferrer, Pedro António Mareca; Ribeiro, Rodrigo S.; Oliveira, RuiA construção é um sector de actividade que remonta da antiguidade e com grande importância para as sociedades. A qualidade das obras da construção envolve diversos processos e etapas que têm de ser geridos de forma acertiva. Durante a execução de uma obra que atende aos pressupostos LEAN construction, existem processos que podem ser melhorados com vista a uma maior eficiência, produtividade e consequente controlo da obra. Seguindo a filosofia do LEAN, a par da utilização de ferramentas BIM 4D é possível detalhar a obra de forma virtual e adicionar o recurso tempo nos processos da obra, possibilitando ver o seu estado de execução praticamente em tempo real, face ao prazo estimado. Este artigo utiliza a tecnologia BIM 4D do software REVIT e Navisworks da Autodesk, alicerçado nos pressupostos do LEAN construction, aplicado a um caso de estudo de uma obra de reabilitação de um edifício em estrutura metálica. A utilização do software Microsoft Project permite o desenvolvimento do planeamento da obra para ser adicionado na dimensão 4D no software BIM utilizados. Os resultados evidenciam uma relação de redução de prazos de diferentes processos de execução e montagem da estrutura metálica, que quando aplicados os conceitos do LEAN construction mostram consideráveis melhorias comparativamente com os processos convencionais que foram constatados em situação real dessa obra.
- Práticas da sociedade portuguesa e reabilitação sustentável do parque edificado residencialPublication . Abreu, Maria Isabel; Lopes, Jorge; Oliveira, RuiA mudança nas atitudes e práticas dos utilizadores dos edifícios existentes face à sustentabilidade e à eficiência energética é uma das estratégias fundamentais para a passagem a uma sociedade de baixo carbono. Um dos desafios é motivar os proprietários a reabilitar os seus edifícios no sentido de adotarem soluções sustentáveis e reduzirem os seus gastos energéticos. Estudos recentes têm apontado para a importância do contexto social onde se insere o proprietário que, em muitos casos, sobrepõe-se às campanhas de sensibilização públicas e até ao aconselhamento técnico. Outros estudos revelaram que as estratégias de motivação têm que olhar o proprietário do edifício de forma personalizada. A decisão de reabilitar parece emergir das aspirações pessoais, dos estilos de vida dos indivíduos e das condições e práticas sociais do dia a dia e não exclusivamente da análise simples de retorno do investimento ou da sensibilidade ambiental. Este estudo pretende trazer para a discussão a dimensão social e cultural da reabilitação sustentável dos edifícios residenciais em Portugal, explorando o papel das rotinas e práticas domésticas e identificando fatores-chave que possam influenciar a tomada de decisão. Primeiramente, foi realizado um conjunto de entrevistas a um grupo de profissionais ligados a esta área. Seguidamente, com base nas entrevistas, inquiriu-se um grupo de proprietários de edifícios residenciais portugueses. Os resultados revelaram que a comunicação dentro da rede social onde os proprietários portugueses inquiridos estão inseridos, bem como os estilos de vida e as práticas diárias da vida doméstica, têm uma influência central na formação inicial de intenções de renovação de partes de um edifício. A decisão é um processo negociado ao nível familiar e emerge da combinação de algumas condições da vida doméstica com fatores pessoais e contextuais. Não é um evento único, mas insere-se na prática do “ir renovando”. As reabilitações energeticamente eficientes de edifícios acontecem, em muitos casos, em consequência da decisão de reabilitar por outros motivos já estar tomada. É importante abordá-las como qualquer outro tipo de reabilitação, sem torná-las excecionais ou à parte das outras. Por conseguinte, é fundamental introduzir a ciência social para compreender comportamentos, práticas e rotinas sociais e culturais dos proprietários, no sentido de definir as melhores políticas de motivação para a reabilitação dos edifícios residenciais.
- The implementation of regulations on solar collectors in buildingsPublication . Abreu, Maria Isabel; Oliveira, RuiIn the beginning of this decade, the Portuguese Program E4 – Energy Efficiency and Endogenous Energies have proposed an ambitious goal of 1 million m2 of solar collector area in Portugal until 2010. To cope with this, it was implemented in 2001 by Portuguese Government the National Program Solar Hot Water for Portugal (IP-AQSpP). The Portuguese new Thermal Regulations (RCCTE) opens to all constructions partners a new opportunity for implementing more strongly renewable energy technologies in buildings.
- Measures for resource and sustainable practices management in building rehabilitationPublication . Oliveira, Rui; Lopes, Jorge; Abreu, Maria IsabelThe rehabilitation of buildings is a kind of practice that involves an improvement of the comfort and building habitability conditions through the reuse of existing resources. However the rehabilitation process requires ingenious solutions and specific knowledge by designers and builders. The reuse of material resources existing in buildings that align with the adoption of environment concerns could balance the embodied energy and water and emission reduction. Furthermore, the construction procurement could facilitate the rehabilitation process and also adopt a management contracting process which requires a specialized contractor to support the design and work’s needs. This article describes a set of measures from a management system to support the project management process of a building rehabilitation works. The set of proposed measures could facilitate the skilled labour and material resources management, which are focused on the principles and assumptions of sustainability. In addition, it could also give a contribution to devising different ways to organize and manage works in buildings with rehabilitation needs and in a way to have more sustainability benefits.
- Reabilitação de edifícios. Está o meio técnico preparado para o desafio?Publication . Oliveira, Rui; Sousa, Hipólito; Lopes, JorgeA reabilitação de edifícios, parece estar a tornar-se uma área estratégica de construção em Portugal, não só pela progressiva consciência da necessidade de abrandar a realização de obra nova, como também pela necessidade de privilegiar a reabilitação do parque edificado existente. A presente tendência de actuação na requalificação dos edifícios antigos demonstra que é necessário alterarmetodologias de intervenção. Para tal é necessário constribuir como medidas de carácter legislativo, com efeito dinamizador do sector.
- Younger vs. older homeowners in building energy-related renovations: learning from the portuguese casePublication . Abreu, Maria Isabel; Oliveira, Rui; Lopes, JorgeThe interest in energy-related renovations varies among homeowners and depend not only on personal and contextual factors but also on every-day life activities and social practices. In addition, some studies suggest that the homeowner´s life stage have a significant role in shaping this interest. This study aims to understand the influence of the homeowner’s age on the motivation for energy-related renovations of Portuguese single-family buildings and how this age is linked to the home-related and social practices that may encourage these renovations. A survey together with a qualitative research method were used. The younger Portuguese homeowners seems to be more environmentally conscious and adopt “little-by-little” energy renovations. For the older, if energy-related renovations are associated with aesthetics, indoor comfort conditions and sentimental meanings given to the home, it is more likely these renovations happen. However, both generations can be influenced by important life moments that trigger the renovation process.
- The local influences of sustainability in historic centres for buliding refurbisshment and for livingPublication . Oliveira, Rui; Lopes, Jorge; Abreu, Maria IsabelThe historic city centres are comfortable living places that also have architectural quality, cultural and historic heritage. These and other aspects have contributed to a sustainable behaviour and tourism attraction, which does not happen in recent residential areas. However, existing buildings in historic centres have many constraints which associate them to problems and make them less attractive, such as the proximity between buildings, less sun exposition and many others. This paper reports on a research project in which a toolkit with 50 parameters was developed to support decision-making in old building refurbishment projects in historic city centres. Each parameter includes technical regulations, constraints and best refurbishment practices. All solutions proposed by a parameter are ordered in 5 levels from the least to the higher sustainability benefits. The article describes a connection between the toolkit parameters about building localization aspects and their application as constraints during refurbishment works. In another perspective, it is shown the contribution of these parameters as good practices for living in city centres, tourism interest and building selection aspects for renting or buying. The methodology adopted in the study comprises a case study involving the consultation of a set of 7 building refurbishment project designs. All project designs analysed do not present full information description in the majority of localization parameters of the toolkit, such as public transport, parking cars, commercial or services areas, technical infrastructures conservation, sports and gardens areas, and land reutilization. Some of the information on the building project designs analyzed were possible to ascertain through "in situ" research and part of the buildings has good location, proportional sustainability benefits and easier management practices during refurbishment works. The results suggest a lack of interest in the provision of relevant information for the part of design consultants concerned with building refurbishment projects. This aspect needs to be tacked in order to promote more sustainable construction practices and, consequently, a more efficient functioning of this segment of the construction market
- Energy-related housing renovations from an everyday life perspective: learning from portuguese homeownersPublication . Abreu, Maria Isabel; Oliveira, Rui; Lopes, JorgeChanging the attitudes of existing building users towards sustainability is a paramount strategy towards a low-carbon society. One of the challenges lies in encouraging owners to renovate their houses. Recent studies have pointed out the relevance of the homeowner’s social context which, more often than not, outstrips public awareness campaigns and even techno-economic advice. The decision to renovate seems to emerge from deep social issues rather than exclusively from the simple analysis of investment return or environmental awareness. The present study aims to bring discussion to these social subjects for single-family buildings in Portugal and identify key factors which may influence decision making. Firstly, a set of in-depth interviews were conducted with a group of experts. Subsequently, and based on the interviews, a group of Portuguese single-family homeowners, who undertook at least one energyrelated piece of work, were surveyed. Together with the survey a structured observation method was put into practice. The results revealed that homeowner’s stage of life, personal/family events, everyday practices, lifestyles and social network framework have a major influence on their prime intention to renovate their homes. The desire to maintain or change the routines and the way family uses the indoor spaces are common drivers, however, motivations linked to aesthetics, trends and social status were revealed to be extremely influencing. The decision process is negotiated inside the family involving not only desired domestic life conditions but also skills, understandings and social values shared by the dwellers. The energy-related renovations take place, in many cases, as a consequence of a previous decision to renovate, taken due to other reasons. It does not consist of one single event but is rather part of a practice of a “little-by-little renovation”. Motivational policies should be drawn considering the energy-related renovations as any other type of renovation and not separately from the others.
- Mamgement of the different phases of an irrigation DAM construction project: case studyPublication . Quiñones Martínez, Ruben; Oliveira, RuiThis article develops the procedural basis of documentary management of projects in different phases of development of a project, using an exhaustive bibliographic review, denoting some differences and particularities among countries and even among authors, especially in organization procedures. A case study was conducted comparing the regulatory assumptions and bibliography on the subject, with the real management of a construction project of an irrigation dam. At first, it was undertaken a consultation of the various documents that constitute the dam design project along the different phases of its development. Subsequently, in order to complement the gathered information during the investigation, as well as to respond to other omissions research questions even after the documentary consultation, an interview supported by a questionnaire with the dam designer was conducted. The main results of the research allow the convergence of scattered and unclear information about which documents are mandatory in each phase of the project, being this unclearly specified in the regulations. The case study of a real construction project of a dam irrigation allows to analyze beyond the required documents at each phase of the development project. And also, the case study contributes to understanding the role of the different stakeholders throughout the process, and the criteria that supports their decisions to move forward to the next phases of a project.