The CAVIAR research group has recently published three articles exploring how innovation and science can transform the construction sector and improve the health and safety of homes. From low-impact building materials to thermal risk assessments and energy efficiency, these studies provide key tools for a more sustainable and safer future.
Cereal Straw as a Sustainable Building Material
In the study A Review of Recent Advances in the Application of Cereal Straw for Decarbonization of Construction Materials and Applications, Nathalie Santamaría Herrera, Jorge Otaegi de Arce and Iñigo Rodríguez Vidal analyse the potential of cereal straw as a construction material to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the sector, which is responsible for 39% of global emissions.
From blown-in insulation systems to prefabricated modules for multi-storey buildings, straw is proving that it is possible to build climate-neutral without compromising technical quality. This approach opens up new opportunities for the decarbonisation of the construction sector and the circular economy.
Profitability of Window Replacement
In the article Should I Change my Windows? An LCOE Analysis in Spain, Jorge Otaegi de Arce, Imanol González Román, Rufino Javier Hernández Minguillón and Iñigo Rodríguez Vidal examine whether replacing windows is a cost-effective investment in Spain. The study concludes that, while it can be beneficial in colder climates, in Mediterranean regions or in homes with efficient heating, the financial payback is rarely worthwhile.
This research provides clear criteria for energy efficiency decisions based on the local climate and the actual use of the dwelling.
Thermal Risk Assessment in Homes
Within the framework of the oPENLab project, CAVIAR presented a study based on the IATO model, which assesses the risk of heat-related mortality according to indoor temperatures, rather than just outdoor conditions: Interior accumulated thermal overload (IATO): A novel indoor temperature-based metric for assessing heat-related mortality through building simulations.
The results show that some modern homes can trap heat, increasing health risks during extreme heatwaves. This study highlights the importance of designing safer, climate-adapted living spaces.
