INFLUENCE OF CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY ON THE THERMAL PERFORMANCE OF VERNACULAR HOUSING

Abstract

The canton of Zapotillo, located in the south of Ecuador, has a hot climate that has led the population to use endemic materials in the construction of their homes. These materials provide a comfortable indoor environment for the inhabitants, with earth, wood and stone being the main structural components of traditional houses. These vernacular houses represent years of empirical research and testing by local builders who have developed unique construction techniques. However, these houses have been overshadowed by new architectural typologies that use modern materials and construction systems with lower thermal performance. In the current landscape of Zapotillo, remains of the first settlements in the area can be found, blending into the overall landscape with contemporary constructions. Therefore, the aim of this research is to analyze the bioclimatic performance of vernacular houses in the canton, focusing on the technical and constructional study of selected cases, seeking to identify parameters that contribute to indoor comfort in relation to local climatic conditions. The research visualizes the energy characteristics of vernacular housing, highlighting the solar protection provided by the use of portals and terraces, as well as the comfort of the raw earth construction system to mitigate the effects of high temperatures during periods of extreme heat. The energy analysis programs Revit Insight, Rhinoceros, Grasshopper and Lady Bug tools are used to measure these variables, with the ultimate aim of rescuing vernacular values and adapting them to new projects, thereby revaluing the concept of traditional Zapotillo housing.