Sixteenth International Conference on Environmental, Cultural, Economic & Social Sustainability

Abstract

In Mexico and Chile, passive strategies (e.g., thermal mass), are missing from the rhetoric of developers, policy-makers, and designers, leading to a noticeable gap in the application of sustainable practices between high-end and low-cost housing. The absence of design for comfort in this context leads to people living in uncomfortable conditions and/or relying on the use of costly, energy-intensive solutions such as air conditioning, especially in desert climates. Furthermore, multiple, frequently opposing objectives such as maximizing comfort and minimizing cost complicate the matter. How can comfort be prioritized in low-cost housing in different desert climates, and what are the opportunities and contradictions for sustainability in such context within the current financial, political, and construction frameworks in Mexico and Chile? This paper aims to answer these questions through a multi-perspective sustainability evaluation framework measuring comfort, economic, and environmental aspects. Two low-income houses located in Hermosillo, Mexico and Copiapo, Chile were modeled using DesignBuilder. Different tectonic configurations and energy conservation strategies were evaluated through thermal and energy simulation, cost, and carbon emissions calculations. Emphasis was given on accurately representing the reality of low-income housing in each region. Results illustrate the importance of having an integrative view when assessing building performance and considering the local practices and culture surrounding buildings. Several opportunities and contradictions are identified within the current frameworks in each region. Alternative strategies and construction systems that provide significant comfort, economic, and environmental benefits for minimal investment are shared, such as wood construction in Chile and adobe construction in Mexico.