Survey on Post-Occupancy Evaluation of Vernacular Houses in Madeira (Portugal)

Abstract

Vernacular housing in the Island of Madeira (Archipelago of Madeira, Portugal) is built anonymously. This architecture is made by the people and for the people without the aid of an architect. This built heritage demonstrates the relationship between the population and its surroundings, through the care with which they treated the climatic constraints and that is clearly related to the seasonal variation of temperature, regardless of cultural differences and of the level of development of each community. The Island of Madeira has temperate climates characterized by mild temperatures all year round. The climate is largely influenced by the Eastern branch of the Azores anticyclone especially from spring to autumn. These buildings are strongly marked by an agricultural economy and are characterized by great regional diversity. The agricultural feature took care of the fertile alluvial land, giving rise to the first settlements. However, with the growth of the population began the conquest of the coast, occupying the dense forest that provided them with good timber for local consumption and for export. With the land tamed, the next challenge was to control the waters, the first paths between the places of difficult access, which carried the waters of irrigation at various locations, including the north and the south shores. The built vernacular heritage of the Island of Madeira had a primary function of shelter, and then housing and nowadays new uses are being implemented. The research and study of the essence, the behaviour, the possibilities of traditional technologies used in a specific territory are like the rediscovery, always renewed, of the profound meaning of the Portuguese architecture. This paper analyses through surveys whether a very specific type of vernacular heritage housing in the Island of Madeira provides comfort. In fact, questionnaire responses from the initial survey regarding 66 vernacular houses were analysed to understand the residents’ satisfaction with the existing conditions through post-occupancy evaluation. Several variables were associated with dwelling and thermal comfort. This way, a post-occupancy evaluation is proposed including energy monitoring for fine-tuning and increasing energy efficiency as well as for gathering knowledge for planners and developers. This study not only provides valuable information for future housing sustainable rehabilitation but also it may enable the identification by the Local Authority of ways of improving the quality of life for residents.