CFD SIMULATION AND PASSIVE OPTIMIZATION OF THERMAL COMFORTIN SOCIAL HOUSING IN ANDEAN CONTEXTS

SIMULAÇÃO CFD E OTIMIZAÇÃO PASSIVA DO CONFORTO TÉRMICO EM HABITAÇÃO SOCIAL EM CONTEXTOS ANDINOS

Authors

  • Pablo Echeverría Landín PUCE - PONTIFICIA UNIVERSIDAD CATÓLICA DEL ECUADOR - Santo Domingo de los Tsachilas
  • Guillermo Guzmán-Chávez PUCE - PONTIFICIA UNIVERSIDAD CATÓLICA DEL ECUADOR

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29183/2447-3073.MIX2026.v12.n3.19-41

Keywords:

Thermal comfort, CFD simulation, Social housing, Passive design, Natural ventilation

Abstract

This study evaluates thermal comfort conditions in a social housing unit located in Quito, Ecuador, through the application of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations and passive design strategies. The research is based on a representative housing model constructed with conventional concrete and masonry systems, characterized by limited environmental performance. The methodology employs STAR-CCM+ software to analyze temperature distribution, airflow behavior, and indoor environmental quality indicators, specifically Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) and Predicted Percentage of Dissatisfied (PPD), in accordance with ISO 7730 standards. Four scenarios were assessed: baseline model, envelope improvement, implementation of wind-capturing systems, and optimization of building orientation and openings. The results demonstrate that interventions focused solely on the building envelope produce limited improvements, whereas integrated strategies combining natural ventilation and architectural design achieve a reduction in indoor temperature of up to 2 °C and a significant increase in the area of thermal comfort. The study confirms that thermal comfort in social housing depends on the interaction between materials, ventilation, and spatial configuration, providing a replicable approach for similar Andean contexts.

Author Biographies

  • Pablo Echeverría Landín, PUCE - PONTIFICIA UNIVERSIDAD CATÓLICA DEL ECUADOR - Santo Domingo de los Tsachilas

    Pablo Andrés Echeverría Landín   Arquitecto por la Universidad Central del Ecuador, Especialista en Innovación tecnológica en Edificación-Tecnologías para la habitabilidad por la Universidad Politécnica de Madrid España, Docente Tiempo Completo de la carrera de Arquitectura de la Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador Sede Santo Domingo de los Tsachilas, Miembro del grupo de Investigación CIdIA Escuela de Arquitectura PUCESD, correo: paecheverrial@pucesd.edu.ec ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0004-0372-9208

  • Guillermo Guzmán-Chávez, PUCE - PONTIFICIA UNIVERSIDAD CATÓLICA DEL ECUADOR

    Guillermo Geovanny Guzmán Chávez is an Architect from the Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador, Ibarra campus. He holds a Master’s degree in Urbanism with a specialization in Governance and Urban Planning with a focus on Climate Change from the Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador, and a specialization in Remote Sensing from the Rey Juan Carlos University, Spain. He is a full-time faculty member and Research Coordinator at the Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador, Ibarra campus, within the School of Habitat, Ingenuity, and Creativity. He leads the Research Group “Territory and Habitat Studies” (TERRHAB) and is responsible for network-based and externally funded research projects at the Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador, Ibarra campus.

    Email: ggguzman@pucesi.edu.ec
    ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0000-7848-949X

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Published

2026-10-07

Issue

Vol. 12 No. 3 (2026): Mix Sustentável (edição especial EARQ 2025)

Section

Científica

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Copyright (c) 2026 Pablo Echeverría Landín, Guillermo Guzmán-Chávez

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How to Cite

CFD SIMULATION AND PASSIVE OPTIMIZATION OF THERMAL COMFORTIN SOCIAL HOUSING IN ANDEAN CONTEXTS: SIMULAÇÃO CFD E OTIMIZAÇÃO PASSIVA DO CONFORTO TÉRMICO EM HABITAÇÃO SOCIAL EM CONTEXTOS ANDINOS. (2026). Mix Sustentável, 12(3), 19-41. https://doi.org/10.29183/2447-3073.MIX2026.v12.n3.19-41