Universidade Do Minho

The main objective of the Minho University, together with the Local Support Group, is to develop a manual of best practices, including a set of rules that could be a first step for the development of a design code towards sustainable and energy-efficient housing.

Building energy as well as sustainability concerns are very new in Portugal although they are becoming every day more important and many municipalities and private investors want to promote sustainable construction. However, there is a deep lack of know-how, fortunately associated to a strong will to “know how to do it”.

In Portugal, there aren’t any rules related to sustainable construction although energy codes are entering into force nowadays in order to meet the EPBD Directive. However, voluntary actions are being taken by many organisms and enterprises to promote sustainable rules in the construction sector and universities are taking first steps trying to develop codes in some specific building sectors.

In this context, it is urgent to develop design codes in order to meet the needs of all the actors in the construction sector towards a sustainable construction. The outputs will be developed taking into account the university experience in this field together with the needs already expressed by the two Municipalities and a private construction company, involved in this project.