Arquitectura-Pregrado

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://dspace-test.ucuenca.edu.ec/handle/123456789/48

Browse

Recent Submissions

Now showing 1 - 20 of 1520
  • Item
    Desarrollo de panel a base de esteras de totora comprimidas y cosidas para revestimientos sostenibles interiores de pared y cielo raso
    (Universidad de Cuenca. Facultad de Arquitectura, 2026-08-20) Cuesta Vázquez, Galilea De Jesús; Martínez Panchi, Kerly Michelle; Hidalgo Cordero, Juan Fernando
    This research aims to enhance the mechanical properties of traditional totora mats (Schoenoplectus californicus) through the development of panels formed by layering multiple mats, applying compaction techniques and confinement through mechanical stitching. The methodology follows a quantitative and experimental design approach, beginning with the geometric characterization of the base mat, followed by its transformation through the pressing of multiple layers and their fixation using different stitching patterns to preserve the achieved compaction. The evaluation will focus exclusively on a performance comparison against standardized commercial materials such as MDF and gypsum board, complemented by empirical tests of anchorage and installation on galvanized steel framing systems (Steel Framing). The study is expected to demonstrate that the developed panels possess the necessary stability, strength, and constructability for application in ceilings and walls, providing a sustainable solution with low environmental impact.
  • Item
    Diseño de tabiquería itinerante de totora (Schoenoplectus californicus) mediante paneles y rollos comprimidos sujetados con bridas metálicas
    (Universidad de Cuenca. Facultad de Arquitectura, 2026-08-19) Zuñiga Quezada, Isaac André; García Erazo, Hernán Alfredo
    The construction industry faces the urgent challenge of reducing its environmental impact, especially in interior design, where industrialized systems with high embodied energy, such as galvanized steel framing, are commonly used. This research proposes the design and validation of a construction system that uses totora (Schoenoplectus californicus) as its main material, taking advantage of its rapid renewability and local availability. The technical proposal is based on self-supporting modular elements made of compressed totora panels, totora rolls, and wood. Through a mixed-method and experimental approach, the study addresses the physical and mechanical characterization of the fiber, as well as the fabrication and testing of a full-scale prototype. The main objective is to demonstrate that the low density and flexural performance of totora can support the development of lightweight partition elements suitable for interior spaces. In addition, the system seeks to respond to the principles of flexibility and reversibility associated with nomadic architecture. In this way, the research aims to offer a sustainable alternative to conventional interior construction systems.
  • Item
    Catálogo razonado de balcones pertenecientes a edificaciones patrimoniales ubicadas en la calle Simón Bolívar de la ciudad de Cuenca, Ecuador
    (Universidad de Cuenca. Facultad de Arquitectura, 2026-08-19) Bernal Arpi, Paula Alejandra; Carrión Herrera, Cecilia Lizbeth; García Vélez, Gabriela Elizabeth
    The Historic Center of Cuenca is nationally and internationally recognized for its architectural and cultural richness, due to the presence of a significant number of heritage buildings with balconies that hold aesthetic and social value. In this context, the objective of this study is to develop a reasoned catalog of the balconies on heritage buildings along Simón Bolívar Street, with the aim of improving understanding of their formal characteristics, urban and landscape value, and sociocultural significance. The methodology of this study consists of a qualitative approach and a combination of descriptive, documentary, and field research designs. The research tools included a preliminary inventory, a literature review, semi-structured interviews with the direct users of the properties, and documentation through photographs, sketches, and diagrams. As a result, the study aims to produce a technical and structured catalog that contributes to the heritage management of the balconies on Simón Bolívar Street, bounded by Coronel Talbót Street to the west and Manuel Vega Street to the east, which is considered the study area. In this regard, the annotated catalog goes beyond a formal description by proposing a comprehensive analysis that integrates the architectural, urban, and sociocultural values of these heritage balconies.
  • Item
    Desarrollo de paneles de totora compactada y confinada con costuras de cuerda como revestimientos interiores para muros y cielo raso
    (Universidad de Cuenca. Facultad de Arquitectura, 2026-08-19) Berzosa López, Raúl Alexander; Tacuri Tenelanda, Mateo Sebastián; Hidalgo Cordero, Juan Fernando
    This study addressed the development of construction panels made from totora (Schoenoplectus californicus), a lignocellulosic plant fiber widely available in wetland ecosystems of southern Ecuador. In the context of the search for sustainable building materials, the research explored a low- environmental-impact alternative based on the mechanical compaction and stitching of fibers, avoiding the use of synthetic adhesives. The objective was to evaluate the influence of compaction pressure and panel thickness on the physical and mechanical performance of the panels, as well as to assess their potential application in interior cladding systems. To this end, prototypes with different thicknesses and compaction pressures were manufactured and subjected to bending and compression tests using the UNE-EN 408 standard as a methodological reference, adapted to the characteristics of the material. The results were analyzed through descriptive statistics, scatter plot matrices, and linear regression models. Findings showed that thickness was the variable with the greatest influence on bending strength, exhibiting an inverse relationship with the mechanical performance of the panels, while compaction pressure had a limited influence within the evaluated range, although higher compaction levels led to significant improvements in both bending and compression strength. In addition, the constructive feasibility of the panels was verified through the development of mechanical anchoring systems for walls, ceilings, and interior partitions. It is concluded that totora has potential for the development of lightweight and sustainable construction panels, representing a bio-based alternative with low industrial processing requirements for interior architectural applications.
  • Item
    Anteproyecto de rehabilitación del parque del barrio La Florida de la ciudad de Macas
    (Universidad de Cuenca. Facultad de Arquitectura, 2026-08-19) Coronel Bermeo, Bryam Ismael; Zambrano Zamora, Diana Ainhoa; Guerra Galán, Jaime Augusto
    The park in the La Florida neighborhood, located in the city of Macas, Morona Santiago Province, is in a state of neglect due to a lack of maintenance, lighting, and street furniture, which has limited its use and undermined its social function as a community gathering space. In response to this issue, this project aims to develop a preliminary architectural design for comprehensive rehabilitation that will restore the park’s social, environmental, and landscape value, incorporating criteria of sustainability and citizen participation. The proposed methodology combines a physical and social assessment of the area, a review of theoretical and regulatory frameworks, and the application of urban design, landscaping, and lighting strategies adapted to the Amazonian context. Through collaboration with the neighborhood committee and local residents, the goal is to create an inclusive and safe public space that fosters neighborhood integration, interaction among children, youth, and adults, and a sense of belonging, thereby contributing to improved quality of life and the strengthening of Macas’s urban identity.
  • Item
    Diseño y elaboración de un panel arquitectónico usando hormigón permeable
    (Universidad de Cuenca. Facultad de Arquitectura, 2026-08-13) Chacón Freire, Juan Pablo; Serrano Tapia, Alex Daniel
    Uncontrolled urban growth, soil impermeabilization, and water resource management represent important challenges for contemporary architecture. In response to this issue, the present research aims to design and produce permeable concrete panels in order to demonstrate the feasibility of their prefabrication and validate their functionality through mechanical and hydraulic tests. To this end, an experimental process was developed based on the preparation of different mix designs, varying the water/cement ratio, aggregate size, and percentage of superplasticizer, until an optimal mixture was defined for the manufacture of panels applicable in floor and wall systems. The methodology is proposed as a sequential experimental phase, in which the guidelines of ACI 522R-10 and the standardization of tests according to ASTM International are taken as references in order to evaluate the mechanical capacities of the material. In addition, the research opens an experimental line on the use of permeable concrete as a vertical enclosure, incorporating the possibility of vegetation adhering to the cavities of the material, taking advantage of its porosity as a support point. Similarly, the study seeks to test the versatility of the material through a proposal for a wall panel with a central cavity. Overall, the study seeks to contribute to new approaches for architectural elements made with permeable concrete, validating their feasibility through standardized tests and experimental criteria.
  • Item
    Autodesk construction cloud ACC como herramienta colaborativa para proyectos arquitectónicos académicos
    (Universidad de Cuenca. Facultad de Arquitectura, 2026-08-17) Carrión García, Carlos Manuel; Valdez Apolo, Francisco Elías
    This research examines information management in collaborative academic architectural projects developed in upper level design studios. Based on this context, Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC), through Autodesk Docs, is studied as a technological support for structuring a methodological guide to organize file exchange, version control, progress review, and deliverable consolidation. The study follows a descriptive approach and includes a pilot application with a team of three seventh semester architecture students during a three week academic milestone. The guide is based on Common Data Environment (CDE) principles and on a proportional adaptation of ISO 19650 to the university context. The results showed improved document organization, clearer identification of versions and information states, and shorter times for document retrieval tasks. The main contribution is an academic framework that strengthens team coordination and document management without replacing the architectural design process or academic design reviews.
  • Item
    Estudio tipológico de las iglesias del Centro Histórico de Cuenca: parroquia Gil Ramírez Dávalos
    (Universidad de Cuenca. Facultad de Arquitectura, 2026-07-10) Bustamante González, Alexa Nicole; Serrano Puente, Luiscarlo Mateo; Guerra Galán, Jaime Augusto
    The Historic Center of Cuenca contains valuable ecclesiastical heritage, whose management is limited by a fragmented understanding of its constructive, spatial, and formal evolution. This thesis develops a typological study of churches built since the 19th century in the Gil Ramírez Dávalos parish: the Catedral de la Inmaculada Concepción (1885), the Church de Santo Domingo (1906), the Church of the Cenáculo (1894), the Church of San Francisco (1930–1932) and the Church of Cristo Rey (1927-1960), with the aim of revealing the importance of typological emphasis for heritage conservation. While employing a qualitative, descriptive-comparative methodology, through documentary, planimetric, and field research, the construction phases of each building are reconstructed. Based on the results, systematized from information in individual documents and comparative matrices, the study seeks to analyze the process of material and formal adaptation of these buildings to the context of historicist eclecticism. The research aims to establish unified analytical criteria that will serve as a technical basis for evaluating the internal coherence of the temples, thus legitimizing and protecting the city's architectural heritage.
  • Item
    Experiencia perceptual de la atmósfera arquitectónica en la obra Templo del agua de Tadao Ando (1991)
    (Universidad de Cuenca. Facultad de Arquitectura, 2026-08-14) Espinoza Cordero, Juan Fernando; Moreno Monroy, Ivanna Fernanda; Ramos Monori, Jeimis Leonardo
    The research analyzes the configuration for the perceptual experience and the atmospheric composition in Tadao Ando’s Water Temple, by studying natural light, shadow, materiality, texture and the sensory variables involved in the perception of space. Architectural atmosphere is a phenomenon caused by the relationship among natural light, materials, circulation, and environment, which enables space to produce meaning, emotion, and memory. From this reason, the research adopts a qualitative approach based on a documentary and a case study methodology. This analytical-architectural and descriptive methodology allows to identify, classify, and understand the atmospheric elements existing in the work. The used techniques include a literature review, the collection of plans and photographs, as well as a perceptual evaluation based on the visual, sequential, and sensory analysis of the space, supported by diagrams and sketches. The process consists of three phases: an architectural-atmospheric inventory, a sensory analysis focused on texture, materials, vegetation and water and a study of the behavior of the light and shadow. Finally, a matrix of strategies for generating architectural atmospheres was developed as a final synthesis of the analysis, which is aimed at organizing the spatial, material, and perceptual criterias identified on the project. The results observed at the Temple of Water show that the experience does not depend by ornamentation itself, but also by the precision at organization of the fundamental elements in the space.
  • Item
    Diseño de sistemas de montaje para paneles compuestos de lechuguín y PVA, para uso interior
    (Universidad de Cuenca. Facultad de Arquitectura, 2026-08-18) Aguayza Arce, Christian Alexander; Romero Amaya, Renato David; Auquilla Clavijo, Sebastián Felipe
    The incorporation of biocomposite panels in construction is an alternative to reduce the environmental impact of conventional materials; however, their application requires resolving limitations related to their mechanical behavior and assembly integration. This research evaluated the construction feasibility of a panel made of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) with polyvinyl acetate (PVA) as an interior lining for dry construction systems. A mixed methodology was employed, which included the manufacturing of the biomaterial, its physical, thermal, and mechanical characterization, the design of the assembly system, and its validation through a scaled construction module. The results demonstrated that preserving the stem structure achieved the lowest thermal conductivities (0.033–0.064 W/mK). Based on these results, a bilayer panel was developed, featuring an insulating core and a higher-rigidity surface layer. Experimental validation showed that the tongue-and-groove joint with concealed fastening and sealing using water hyacinth paste and PVA exhibited the best performance by reducing thermal bridges.
  • Item
    Propuesta de anteproyecto de ecobarrio para el mejoramiento integral del barrio Polígono de Tiro en Cuenca
    (Universidad de Cuenca. Facultad de Arquitectura, 2026-08-14) Dominguez Sarmiento, Ana Carolina; Yuquilima Astudillo, Carmen Estefanía; León González, Pablo Armando
    This research aims to develop a preliminary eco-neighborhood project as a replicable model for peri-urban areas of the city of Cuenca, using the Polígono de Tiro neighborhood, located in the Paccha parish, as a case study. This area corresponds to an informal settlement characterized by disorganized urban growth, a deficit in basic infrastructure, and limited integration with the consolidated urban fabric, which negatively affects habitat quality. The study is based on eco-urbanism principles, incorporating environmental, urban, and social sustainability indicators, as well as Latin American references for neighborhood-scale interventions. Methodologically, it adopts a non-experimental mixed approach structured in three phases: territorial, social, and urban characterization; analysis through indicators and comparison with the eco-neighborhood model; and the formulation of the urban-architectural proposal based on sustainable strategies. Tools such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS), BIM modeling, and multicriteria analysis are employed, allowing for a comprehensive understanding of the territory. As a result, the study proposes an eco-neighborhood project that can serve as a reference for processes of regularization, urban improvement, and sustainable planning in vulnerable areas of Cuenca, considering the Polígono de Tiro neighborhood with an area of 13.3 hectares and approximately 114 inhabitants as a representative case for this type of intervention.
  • Item
    Propuesta de ecobarrio para el mejoramiento integral del barrio Chaguarchimbana Alto en Cuenca
    (Universidad de Cuenca. Facultad de Arquitectura, 2026-08-14) Pachar Benitez, Bryam Guillermo; Quinde Cajas, John Kevin; León González, Pablo Armando
    The project proposes to develop an econeighborhood schematic design for the comprehensive improvement of the Chaguarchimbana Alto neighborhood, establishing a conceptual and methodological framework to serve as a reference for research in similar peri-urban contexts. This sector is characterized as an informal settlement arising from unplanned urban growth, with infrastructure deficits and scarce integration with the city. The research seeks to establish sustainable guidelines to reduce territorial inequalities and improve habitat quality, relying on econeighborhood principles and environmental, urban, and social indicators. The general objective is to propose an econeighborhood schematic design that guides inclusive transformation processes. The specific objectives are: to diagnose the physical, environmental, and socioeconomic conditions of the territory; to evaluate its habitability through indicators; and to design a proposal based on the results. The methodology is mixed and non-experimental, organized into five phases: documentary and regulatory review; analysis of Latin American case studies; territorial characterization using field surveys, structured forms, and the generation of maps and GIS data; selection of environmental, social, and urban strategies; and the development of the schematic design using modeling and drafting tools. As a result, a schematic design is obtained, whose design strategies and strategic guidelines serve as a guide for future research processes regarding neighborhood improvement and sustainable planning in other vulnerable peri-urban sectors of Cuenca.
  • Item
    Diseño de Anteproyecto de Vivienda Social Sostenible en Macas: Estrategias Pasivas y Materiales Locales para el Confort Térmico
    (Universidad de Cuenca. Facultad de Arquitectura, 2026-08-14) Jaramillo Kunkumas, Anthony Gabriel; Mera Villa, Jorge Andrés; Zalamea León, Esteban Felipe
    The present study develops a preliminary design for sustainable social housing in the city of Macas, Ecuadorian Amazon, in response to accelerated demographic growth, informal urban sprawl towards the city's peripheries, and the proliferation of construction typologies ill-suited to the region's warm-humid climate. The primary objective is to elaborate a preliminary design integrating passive bioclimatic design strategies, active renewable energy systems, including photovoltaic panels and rainwater harvesting, and low-impa oyeeect local materials, with emphasis on guadua cane and the bahareque-quincha construction system, in order to optimize interior thermal comfort and reduce the environmental footprint of the building. The methodology follows a mixed-methods approach, encompassing a site climatic analysis, material characterization and comparison, resident surveys in existing social housing developments, planimetric surveys of representative dwelling typologies, and thermal-energy simulations using EcoDesigner integrated within Archicad. The results obtained show a reduction of over 95% in energy consumption relative to the analyzed typologies, a quantifiable improvement in interior thermal comfort, and the generation of a replicable model capable of promoting sustainable local construction practices throughout the Amazonian region.
  • Item
    Análisis de la pérdida de patrimonio rural edificado en el espacio periurbano de Cuenca. Caso de estudio: Parroquia Turi
    (Universidad de Cuenca. Facultad de Arquitectura, 2026-06-15) Guevara Figueroa, Juan David; Guerra Galán, Jaime Augusto
    This study examines the decline of architectural heritage in the peri-urban area of Cuenca, focusing on the rural parish of Turi. Its purpose is to determine the causes and level of deterioration of vernacular architecture in order to suggest methods for conservation and sustainable management. A quantitative and comparative approach is used, supported by data from the National Institute of Cultural Heritage (INPC), the Cultural Heritage Information System of Ecuador (SIPCE), and a recent field survey. Tools such as photographic records and technical data sheets were used to assist in evaluating the condition of the buildings under consideration and to determine certain aspects of them. To allow for comparison between previous records of the built heritage and its current state, the information was organized into a digital database. The findings revealed a reduction in built heritage due to various consequences, including lack of maintenance, urban sprawl, and the incorporation of materials incompatible with the original construction techniques. Finally, conservation criteria and strategies are proposed based on minimal intervention, reversibility, authenticity, and continuous documentation, with the aim of promoting cultural appreciation and participatory management of the rural territory of Turi.
  • Item
    Diseño de vivienda social sostenible en base al sistema constructivo modular y sostenible de la vivienda Wikkelhouse
    (Universidad de Cuenca. Facultad de Arquitectura, 2026-06-01) Astudillo Picon, Fabricio Nicolas; González Cardenas, Oscar Xavier; Serrano Tapia, Alex Daniel
    Homelessness remains a significant problem in Cuenca, Ecuador, affecting a significant portion of the population; they constitute approximately 30% of the country's homeless population in the region (Carpio, 2017). As cities grow rapidly and the need for affordable housing increases, many people struggle to find suitable housing. As a result, we are seeing an increase in informality and precarious self-construction. A project is being presented for the city of Cuenca that uses the Wikkelhouse construction model to propose prefabricated modular systems. Prefabricated elements shorten construction time and use renewable materials in construction, thereby reducing environmental impact and promoting sustainable economic development. The use of new construction techniques such as prefabrication of parts using CNC machines is revolutionizing the construction industry. Our design recommendations reduce production times and construction costs. The most important aspect is creating sustainable, affordable housing for residents, featuring architecture that adapts to user needs.
  • Item
    PROPUESTA DE DISEÑO PARA LA REPOTENCIACIÓN DEL PASEO ISLA MARTINICA, CUENCA-ECUADOR
    (Universidad de Cuenca. Facultad de Arquitectura, 2026-05-06) Candela Villavicencio, Ariel Emilio; Ureña Morocho, Dayana Maribel; Cabrera Jara, Natasha Eulalia
    The recovery of public space constitutes an essential challenge in contem-porary cities, where sustainable mobility and adaptation to new urban dyna-mics are priorities. This thesis analyzes how such transformations can turn urban spaces into accessible, functional, and comfortable environments for the entire community. From a multidisciplinary perspective, it explores stra-tegies and technologies that foster effi cient and ecological mobility, as well as the creation of inclusive places that encourage social interaction and co-llective well-being. The selection of Paseo Isla Martinica as a case study is particularly relevant, as it is a strategic yet currently degraded space, whose rehabilitation would have a direct impact on urban connectivity, the streng-thening of sustainable mobility, and the improvement of residents’ quality of life. Case studies from cities that have achieved signifi cant progress in this fi eld are presented, and their lessons are applied to the urban-architectural preliminary design for Paseo Isla Martinica in Cuenca. The project aims to integrate sustainability and accessibility as central pillars, contributing to the development of a more effi cient, friendly, and resilient city.
  • Item
    Anteproyecto arquitectónico de un recinto ferial en el cantón Huamboya, provincia de Morona Santiago
    (Universidad de Cuenca. Facultad de Arquitectura, 2026-05-06) Ramón Patiño, Jilver Alcides; Sucuzhañay Mocha, Christian Andres; Sánchez Castillo, José Hernán
    The Huamboya canton is highly productive, with livestock and agriculture as the main sources of income. Most of its territory is devoted to pasture for beef and dairy cattle, and the cultivation of agricultural products such as plantain, yucca, Chinese potato, and pitahaya. However, the lack of adequate infrastructure for the promotion and trade of these products has limited their development, resulting in insuႈcient income for local families. This has led to a low interest of the new generations in these professions, leading to migration to other cities or countries in search of better economic opportunities. For this reason, a livestock, agricultural and handicraft fairground has been designed for the canton. In this design, local, national and foreign fairs were analyzed as case studies. Lighting and ventilation strategies appropriate to the location and type of use of the enclosure were proposed. In addition, we sought to integrate the space with the environment by using ecological materials such as bamboo or guadua cane, a material that is used both aesthetically and structurally. Concrete was used to control the humidity of the climate, steel for the structure of large spaces and bamboo for smaller and more aesthetic elements of the enclosure. This design optimizes conditions for promoting and marketing local products, fostering the economic and social development of the canton. The architectural and constructive aspects reinforce its long-term sustainability, while its adaptable and eficient design can be replicated in other rural areas of Ecuador, benefiting similar communities.
  • Item
    Anteproyecto de un polideportivo para la parroquia rural de Baños, cantón Cuenca, Ecuador
    (Universidad de Cuenca. Facultad de Arquitectura, 2026-04-23) Calle Valverde, Cristopher Mario; Serrano Tapia, Alex Daniel
    The poor sports infrastructure in the rural parish of Baños has restricted the development of sporting abilities, leading to an increase in spending on private facilities. In response to this situation, a partnership was established with the parish GAD. In the context of this degree project, the design of a sports center is proposed to facilitate the practice of disciplines such as indoor soccer, basketball, and volleyball, including multifunctional spaces that meet the recreational and sporting needs of the community. The project is structured in four chapters. Initially, a theoretical review was carried out to serve as a conceptual basis. Chapter II presents an analysis of case studies with the aim of identifying design criteria in formal, functional, and construction aspects. It also examines the relevant legal framework in order to incorporate the technical regulations necessary for the proper design and operation of sports infrastructure. Subsequently, in Chapter III, an analysis of the site is carried out at the level of the Rural Parish of Baños, both at the parish capital and at the block level, with the purpose of determining the most relevant characteristics of the terrain. Finally, in Chapter IV, the preliminary architectural design is developed, which includes plans detailing the functional spaces designed.
  • Item
    Diagnóstico Arquitectónico del Estado Actual del Centro Gerontológico Residencial Hogar Cristo Rey, ubicado en el Centro Histórico de la Ciudad de Cuenca
    (Universidad de Cuenca. Facultad de Arquitectura y Urbanismo, 2026-03-29) Espinoza Calle, Jessica Gabriela; Orellana Alvear, Boris Adrían
    This research focuses on the comprehensive analysis of the "Hogar Cristo Rey" Residential Gerontological Center through an architectural survey based on historical documentation from 1973 onwards. The study aims to establish the current state of this heritage building through a rigorous methodology that combines architectural recording techniques with historical documentary analysis. The research is structured into three main components. First, a specialized theoretical framework for architectural surveying of heritage buildings is developed, establishing the methodological and technical foundations necessary for recording properties with historical value. This framework provides the conceptual basis for addressing the documentation of buildings that have undergone transformations over time. Second, an architectural survey of the property is executed, complemented by registration forms that document the current conservation state. This process includes metric, photographic, and descriptive recording of all architectural elements, identifying pathologies, deterioration, and modifications present in the structure. Finally, a comparative analysis between the current state and available historical documentation is conducted, enabling the identification of architectural transformations that have occurred since 1973. This comparison facilitated understanding of the building's evolution and provides crucial information for informed decision-making regarding its conservation, restoration, or future intervention, thus contributing to the preservation of local architectural heritage.
  • Item
    Análisis térmico de paneles de tierra comprimidos y su aplicación en las diferentes zonas climáticas de Ecuador
    (Universidad de Cuenca. Facultad de Arquitectura, 2026-02-23) Arévalo Morocho, Kristel Nicole; Calle Cabrera, Katherine Gabriela; Sánchez Castillo, José Hernán
    The objective of this research is to analyze the thermal characteristics of compressed earth panels (BTC) used in social housing, with a construction system that combines BTC and bamboo. The house is designed modularly to expand according to users’ needs. These houses are located in the cities of Cuenca, which has a rainy continental climatic zone; Macas, which has a hot and humid climatic zone; and Machala, which has a very hot and hu-mid climatic zone, using land designated for the construction of affordable housing. To achieve this objective, environmental data and relevant factors from each site are collected and recorded in the Design Builder software. This allows for simulations that enable the analysis of the internal thermal comfort of each area of the house. This approach not only facilitates the selection of the most suitable BTC masonry option but also contributes to maintaining the sustainability of the project. Based on the collected data, formal criteria are established, considering pre-existing characteristics and analysis of the different climatic zones. Initially, the houses show thermal discomfort at certain times of the day. However, the proposed adjustments throughout the research improve thermal conditions for users, achieving an optimal balance between activity schedules in each space and achieving an overall sensation of thermal comfort for most of the analyzed climatic zones. The conclusion is that the BTC-bamboo system is a viable alterna-tive that contributes to the construction of social housing in various climatic zones of Ecuador.