The aim of this research work is to demonstrate how an innovative mixedweight solution can lead to achieve more sustainable housing constructions, having in mind that functional aspects related with comfort-thermal, acoustical and natural illumination-should be safeguarded. The integrated accomplishment of all these aspects is difficult and not easily predictable. That is why, for this comparative study, two Test Cells were built and monitored. The proposed mixedweight strategy was evaluated on a Test Cell made with a heavyweight central area, theoretically conceived to lodge the resting areas of a house: bedrooms, bathroom and living room. North and South envelope fac -ades, pavement and covering are lightweight and lodge the less protected areas, destined for working (office, dining room and kitchen) and a corridorXsunspace, respectively. These compartments also take the role of thermal and acoustical barriers to the resting zone. This mixedweight strategy allowed significantly less environmental cost in comparison to a conventional heavyweight constructive solution using hollow brick and steel-reinforced concrete evaluated on a Reference Test Cell and conceived in a monozone layout. The main aspects and results of this study are presented here. r
Abstract-This paper comments on some technical aspects of living green façade systems, pointing out their advantages and constraints. This environmentally sustainable strategy for building construction and refurbishment is especially adequate for South oriented facades, more suitable for plant growing, contributing to reduce heat island effect, lower emissions and even a positive balance to buildings by absorbing CO 2 and liberating oxygen due to photosynthesis process. Green facades can also reduce visual impact from buildings on landscape. The use and appreciation of native flora in these systems should be valued. In this paper some examples of green facades are presented and commented on their structural and functional specifications.Index Terms-Green facades, sustainable construction systems, low emission buildings.
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