Solar and heat protection techniques. Evaluation and design recommendations for different types of fabric awnings.

GANEM, CAROLINA; COCH, HELENA

Rodas

Conferencia; 3rd International Conference Passive and Low Energy Cooling for the Built Environment (PALENC) - 5th European Conference on Energy Performance and Indoor Climate in Buildings (EPIC) - 1st Cool Roofs Conference; 2010

Heliotopos

Cloths and fabrics have always being used as solar protection. Interior and exterior curtains, urban and building awnings are common resources in Mediterranean architecture to create comfort in hot summers. Solar and heat control (for cooling) through external opaque protections present two main functions: a) On transparent elements of the envelope: the regulation of impinging radiation direct transmission to the interior space. b) On opaque elements of the envelope: the control of the impinging radiation on massive materials that would absorb and storage heat to release it to the interior space with a time delay (thermal inertia). In this paper, results of temperature monitoring of two different awnings (65% and 90% shading fabric / within and over vertical parapets) in similar courtyards in the city of Mendoza are presented. Mendoza, located in central western Argentina (32º40’ southern latitude, 68º51’ western longitude, 750 m above sea level), has a temperate continental climate with hot summers and cold winters. Therefore, the use of solar and heat protection techniques in the hot season are crucial. Results analyse comfort conditions that lead to design recommendations to achieve optimal responses with fabric awnings in courtyards.