Desempenho térmico de habitações de interesse social no litoral leste nordestino: estudo a partir de alterações nas variáveis de projeto

Abstract

Social Housing (SH) in Brazil has historically exhibited low quality in terms of habitability criteria, which are often overlooked in favor of mass production strategies focused on quantity, frequently at the expense of users' well-being. This approach has led, for example, to buildings with poor thermal performance, underscoring the need for a new paradigm in SH design. This research aims to evaluate, based on the Brazilian Standard NBR 15575 (ABNT, 2021), the effectiveness of specific design interventions in improving the thermal performance of SH, with particular focus on the eastern coast of the Northeast region. Through computer simulations, the initial thermal performance of selected SH types was assessed, followed by new analyses involving changes to various design variables to seek performance improvements. Two housing typologies were studied: a single-family dwelling and a multi-family dwelling. For the single-family dwelling, modifications were focused on envelope materials, while for the multi-family dwelling, variables such as materials, geometry, occupancy, and solar orientation were explored. The results showed that the use of insulating materials in the roofing of single-family dwellings increased the Percentage of Hours of Occupancy within an Operating Temperature Range (PHFT), and reduced both the Maximum Annual Operating Temperature (ToMáx) and the Total Thermal Load (CgTT), elevating the performance level to the intermediate category. In the case of multi-family dwellings, the inclusion of a transom above the entrance door to each unit, enabling cross ventilation, also contributed to increased PHFT and reduced ToMáx and CgTT across all units and cities analyzed. These findings aim to support future evaluations of thermal performance within the studied context and to foster improvements in the habitability and efficiency of social housing. Furthermore, the study reinforces the importance of incorporating thermal simulations during the architectural design phase, promoting buildings that are better adapted to the climate and the needs of their users.