Sustainable Preservation of the Built Environment: A Case Study of the Historic Centre of Oporto

The proposed topic of “sustainable management of the indoor and built environment,” in the specific case of historic centres may be condensed to the concept of “conservation of the existent.” The architecture of the historic centre of Oporto in Portugal, Unesco’s World heritage, is a remarkable testimony of sustainability. Local materials and local resources were naturally used over more than 300 in construction which has withstood the test of time. Traditional building materials and techniques should be a priority when selecting rehabilitation strategies for historic centres. The performance of these buildings within their original constructive system should be examined prior to intervention, resulting in a more conscious rehabilitation focusing on the principle of least interference. The main purpose of this paper is to highlight both the thermal and energy outcomes of minor interventions in historic centres, respecting the heritage values of buildings and cities while focusing on improving air infiltration rates linked to repeated use of the vernacular shading system, comprising internal wooden shutters. Using dynamic simulation analysis, the case study assesses energy performance in winter of a dwelling in a typical building kept in its original condition, in the historic heritage centre of Oporto. Also, a minor intervention is simulated to improve the ventilation and energy potential of these emblematic internal wooden shutters. The results obtained reinforce the idea of an inherent energy value within this vernacular constructive system, in addition to the heritage values.