climate change adaptation, mitigation and resilience
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Understanding Climate Change Impacts on the Built Environment

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Climate Change impacts are more present now than ever before. These impacts are widespread, from accelerating sea-level rise threatening coastal communities to shifting weather patterns affecting rainfall cycles, temperature increases, agricultural productivity, and biodiversity. For the construction sector, these transformations present unique challenges that demand urgent and strategic climate adaptation in construction. Direct Impacts of…

wind microclimate CFD
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CFD Simulation for External Natural Ventilation

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Mastering the use of CFD simulation (Computational Fluid Dynamics) in architectural and urban projects allows detailed insight into the complex interaction of breezes and winds as they navigate through buildings, streets, and natural barriers. Urban wind patterns are anything but predictable, diverted and redirected by the countless forms of the built environment. Professional wind analysis…

Green Building Certifications
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What are the Green Building Certifications?

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The drive towards greener practices in the construction sector has led to an increase in the prevalence and importance of sustainable building certifications. These certifications do not just serve as a seal of ecological credentials for construction projects, but also as a roadmap for incorporating sustainable practices from the ground up. They are indicators that…

sustainability consultant
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The Role of the Sustainability Consultant in the Built Environment

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The role of the sustainability consultant in civil construction is fundamental. Sustainability consultants, also known as environmental consultants in civil construction, are becoming increasingly essential in projects that seek not only to comply with environmental regulations, but also to innovate in sustainable construction and create healthier environments and cities to live in. As an architect…

daylight and sunlight
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Daylight & Sunlight Studies

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In my journey through environmental design, I have understood how important natural lighting studies are in sustainable construction and how great an impact proper natural lighting has on occupants’ well-being. Studies suggest that natural light has been shown to improve mood, increase productivity and even regulate sleep patterns. This aspect highlights the importance of integrating…

Cobogó
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Cobogó: A Versatile Element In Sustainable Construction

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Origins and Evolution of Cobogó Cobogó played a fundamental role in the narrative of Brazilian modernist architecture. Created in the 1920s in Brazil by three engineers, Amadeu Oliveira Coimbra, Ernest Boeckman and Antônio de Góis, these perforated elements became icons of design and functionality in construction. Intrinsically linked to the cultural and architectural advances of…

natural ventilation
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Natural Ventilation: Principles and Strategies

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Natural ventilation is a sustainable and efficient approach to maintaining a comfortable and healthy environment, taking advantage of available natural resources, such as fresh air and external air flows. The demand for sustainable practices and ‘green’ buildings has grown substantially, making natural ventilation a star in modern architectural design. There are various strategies that can…

natural ventilation
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Natural Ventilation: The importance of air circulation for comfort and energy efficiency

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The demand for sustainable practices and ‘green’ buildings has grown substantially, making natural ventilation a star in modern architectural design. Climate change has led to increased electricity consumption for indoor climate control. With rising temperatures, the demand for air conditioning, fans and other cooling systems has become increasingly greater. Therefore, this building technique, which directly…

sustainable construction
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5 Benefits of Sustainable Constructions

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Sustainable construction offers numerous advantages that go well beyond the environmental aspect. Besides contributing to a more sustainable future, choosing sustainability practices in civil construction can bring significant economic and social benefits for owners and users. Green buildings are designed and implemented with the aim of minimising the use of natural resources, reducing greenhouse gas…

resilient cities
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Resilient and Sustainable Cities in the Face of Climate Change

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Cities are central to global sustainable development, but face unprecedented challenges with the advancement of climate change. The built environment has a significant impact on urban sustainability and climate adaptation of buildings. In 2014, the building sector accounted for 31% of global final energy use, 54% of final electricity demand and 8% of energy-related CO₂…