Housing Development through the BIM Methodology to Reach the Powerhouse Standard by Applying Rammed-Earth Techniques and Solar Energy

Abstract

As cities and economies grow, energy demands also grow, especially in developing countries, given the material production, construction, and operational processes of buildings and cities. Since the recent Powerhouse standard assumes that a building can generate as much energy as it will require during its lifespan, the present study aimed to implement this building standard in the Andean equatorial climate. For this purpose, a building energy model (BEM) integrated into a building information modeling (BIM) process design method was proposed, developing a prototype with vernacular technology, high solar potential, and local or regional data on embodied energy in accordance with a life cycle assessment (LCA) from cradle to grave. Solar potential estimations were complemented by system advisor model (SAM) tool projections. Because of the low energy content of the vernacular architecture proposal and prototype development with a high generation capacity, this standard can be met six times faster in the Andean equatorial climate than in extreme seasonal climates (8.53 years versus 60.0 years). The main goal of our research was to propose a methodological approach that integrates the BEM tool with vernacular concepts and materials and architectural formal criteria for high solar exploitation that, with background data from the literature, makes it possible to decipher the capability of the proposed energy standard.