Design, construction and initial post-occupancy evaluation of the Interpretation Centre Cañadón del Duraznillo, Patagonia, Argentina

KOZAK, DANIEL; EVANS, JOHN MARTIN; DE SCHILLER, SILVIA; ADAMO, GUILLERMO; ABÁLSAMO, DIEGO

Lima

Conferencia; PLEA2012 - 28th: Conference, Opportunities, Limits & Needs Towards an environmentally responsible architecture; 2012

Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú

This paper presents the analysis of the design process, construction and initial post-occupancy evaluation of the Interpretation Centre Cañadón del Duraznillo, located in Patagonia, Argentina. The first part of the paper examines the design process, guided by simulations and environmental studies specific of the local conditions and particular case, with design guidelines and general recommendations appropriate for this climate and geographical location gathered from previous design experience and specialized literature. The studies performed included simulations of direct sunlight, solar radiation, wind, natural daylight and thermal characteristics of the building skin. The second part, reviews the construction phase, concluded in September 2011. The construction, based on a preassembled panel system, minimized the construction works performed on site. The concluding section of the paper presents an initial post-occupancy evaluation based on a thermal survey, performed with a set of 14 temperature sensors, one of which also measured humidity, with 24 straight days registers, starting in mid November 2011. The paper shows the achievement of high thermal performance and energy efficiency with scarce resources in a sustainable demo-project in an isolated sensitive location.