In the previous part of this article series, a general overview of concrete in construction was presented. To better understand the nature of concrete, let’s take a closer look at its life cycle. The first stage, material acquisition (A1), involves obtaining the necessary raw materials to produce the final product. Cement is a mixture consistingContinue reading “Concrete and its Life Cycle Part 2 / 3”
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Concrete and its Life Cycle Part 1 / 3
Concrete as a construction material has become, alongside plastics, the basic material of a new geological epoch. Successive layers of homogeneous mixture of calcium oxide, sand, aggregate, and other materials have covered the surface of the Planet, intersecting contemporary landscapes with highways and railway lines, connecting various points of human activity. Before widespread industrialisation ofContinue reading “Concrete and its Life Cycle Part 1 / 3”
Innovations in Building Materials
A Complex Landscape – Part 1/2 Innovations in building materials are far from being a straightforward topic. In the architectural, construction, and engineering industries, the adoption of new materials and construction solutions varies greatly across different building elements. Some construction materials have been in use for decades, if not centuries, without significant changes, while theContinue reading “Innovations in Building Materials”
A Few Thoughts on the Decarbonisation of Construction in Portugal
Decarbonization is a new buzzword. It seems like it is replacing sustainability, a very ample, anthropocentric concept*, coined in 1987. Global and European policies are looking to ‘lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions’ by 2030 and 2050 [1]. The ongoing COP26 in Glasgow was the best confirmation. We have seen big words and declarations, many times.Continue reading “A Few Thoughts on the Decarbonisation of Construction in Portugal”
Buildings & Renewable Energy Sources
There has been much talk going on in the past decades about decarbonisation of the economy. And as if that wasn’t a big enough problem to tackle, this year brought about an energy crisis. Electricity prices are soaring in Europe. In the Iberian market, the price for 1MWh has reached its second highest historical value.Continue reading “Buildings & Renewable Energy Sources”
Carbon Budget
According to the new policies of the European Union, all the industries will cut their emissions by at least 55% until 2030 and become almost carbon neutral until 2050. Decarbonization is one of the most important goals of the EU and a tool to combat the climate crisis. For several years there has been aContinue reading “Carbon Budget”
Modelling the effect of windows size
Introduction Window position, size, and type are variables that affect both visual and thermal comfort. Typically, for better thermal comfort we look to minimize fenestration rate (area of windows on the facade). That is, reduce the size of windows (thermal transmittance is lower for walls, for example, 25 cm brickwall + 5 cm of insulationContinue reading “Modelling the effect of windows size”
Cost-Effectiveness: Getting the Most out of Building Renovation
Lately, there’s been much talk of climate change and climate policy. Even though it’s been in the news and in our conversations since at least 1988, two events have arguably sparked more discussions than ever in the past months: the recent IPCC report (officially called the Sixth Assessment of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change)Continue reading “Cost-Effectiveness: Getting the Most out of Building Renovation”
Recovery and Resilience Plan
The pandemic of COVID-19 has changed the European economy. For several months some of the industries were frozen, many had to shift their business model and offer new services, and digitalization became a fact – not a future plan. As a response to the economic crisis, the European Commission decided to launch ‘the largest stimulusContinue reading “Recovery and Resilience Plan”
Lo-Tech Solutions: Solar Water Heaters and their Embodied Carbon
Dr. Harry Zvi Tabor was a British-Israeli physicist who is known for pioneering work in the field of solar energy in Israel. His work isn’t only relevant in the academic world, but had a big impact on the energy use of israeli cities. He developed a solar water heater that is the most common in theContinue reading “Lo-Tech Solutions: Solar Water Heaters and their Embodied Carbon”
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