Evaluation of the thermal behavior of a prefabricated triangular-structure ecotourism module

Abstract

Ecotourism housing solutions face limitations in thermal comfort and energy efficiency due to the use of industrial materials and the lack of passive systems, which generates daytime overheating and nighttime heat loss. In view of this issue, the objective of the research was to evaluate the thermal efficiency of a prefabricated triangular-structure ecotourism module, that integrates a foldable system and reed-based biopanels bonded with prickly pear cactus mucilage. A descriptive methodology design was applied to evaluate a full-scale material test specimen exposed to outdoor conditions in Huánuco during two seasonal periods (dry and wet). Through direct quantitative observation, indoor and outdoor temperatures were recorded during periods of maximum solar radiation (10:00 a.m.) and cooling (4:00 p.m.). The results evidenced high thermal stability; in dry season, the indoor temperature variation was 9.2 °C, faced to 12.5 °C outdoors, and in  wet season was only 3.5 °C, despite an outdoor fluctuation of 10.3 °C, maintaining a temperature between 7 and 15 °C higher than the outside temperature during critical hours. It is concluded that this comprehensive bioclimatic design constitutes a highly efficient passive climate control system that reduces dependence on artificial systems and ensures sustainability in natural environments.