Multiscale Framework for Bioclimatic Adaptation: Quantifying the Passive Performance of High-Mass Vernacular Heritage
Source abstract
Abstract
As global climate volatility intensifies, the built environment requires passive capacity to decouple habitability from external extremes. While vernacular architecture is a cited bioclimatic model, research often lacks long-term quantitative validation. This study addresses this gap through a multiscale framework applied to Montesinho Natural Park, Portugal. Integrating a typological survey with a one-year in situ monitoring campaign (2024–2025), the study utilises Python-based data processing to calculate statistical cross-correlations and benchmarks thermal resilience against the Portuguese Adaptive Comfort Model. Results substantiate a “Hierarchy of Filtration”: (1) Geological Scale: Location correlates statistically with lithological availability; (2) Settlement Scale: Topographical shielding suppresses the Diurnal Temperature Range (DTR) by 20.5%; (3) Envelope Scale: Traditional Stone-on-Earth assemblies exhibit a 16.5 h thermal lag, while vertical functional stratification dampens 47% of external annual temperature extremes. The study concludes that retrofitting must shift to “Balancing Inertia and Connectivity”. This approach mitigates the ‘maladaptation’ risks observed in modern lightweight interventions, providing an empirical template for passive thermal resilience applicable to resilient urban design in a warming climate.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline
Research context
OpenAlex topics: Urban Heat Island Mitigation · Building materials and conservation · Hygrothermal properties of building materials
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
University of Minho, Institute for Sustainability and Innovation in Structural Engineering (ISISE), Advanced Production and Intelligent Systems (ARISE), Department of Civil Engineering, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal
Institute for Physical and Information Technologies (ITEFI) Leonardo Torres Quevedo, Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), 28006 Madrid, Spain
Energy Engineering Research Group (iENERGÍA), Faculty of Sciences, University of Burgos, 09001 Burgos, Spain
Funding
FCT/MCTES · FCT—Foundation for Science and Technology · Associate Laboratory Advanced Production and Intelligent Systems ARISE
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