This study evaluates the sustainability of the executive project of the classroom pavilion at the State University of Feira de Santana (UEFS) and proposes strategies to enhance the integration of sustainable practices from the initial planning stages. The methodology included a detailed review of the design choices and their cross-comparison with a list of good sustainability practices obtained from the literature review, aiming to identify gaps and opportunities for improvement. In the architectural design, good practices adopted included natural ventilation and lighting, as well as the incorporation of vegetation, but there were few actions to reduce waste generation or promote the adoption of low-impact materials. In the structural design, positive practices were observed, such as soil analysis, but indicators such as excavation volume and waste generation rate were absent. The water and sanitation project considered the estimated consumption per user; however, it could have included eco-efficient strategies. In the electrical context, the major lacks identified were the absence of LED lamps and consideration of alternative energy sources. As a result, the study pointed out a series of design guidelines and environmental parameters to incorporate the sustainability dimension for both new buildings on the UEFS campus and similar public buildings.
The practical application of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodologies integrated with Building Information Modeling (BIM) requires advanced technical proficiency in software and digital technologies, which limits their accessibility for less experienced professionals. In this context, the aim of this research was to develop and apply a simplified method for decarbonization analyses, contributing to greater accessibility of LCA implementation within the BIM environment. To achieve this, the study focuses on a single software platform, adapting the native functionalities of Autodesk Revit® to quantify Embodied CO₂ (EC) without the need for interoperability with other programs or platforms. The method was applied through a case study of a Social Housing development located in a small municipality in the interior of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. CO₂ calculations were performed by manipulating parameters within the “Schedule/Quantities” (BoQ) tool. As a result, the proposed methodology enabled the prediction of up to 62.27% decarbonization when comparing different wall system configurations. In this way, the research contributes to consolidating an auxiliary, accessible, and replicable tool for building projects, making sustainability an operational and measurable component throughout the design process.
La búsqueda de fibras no madereras sostenibles expone el subaprovechamiento de residuos agrícolas, como el tallo del cáñamo. Este artículo evalúa la viabilidad técnica de la producción de papel artesanal a partir del residuo de la fibra externa de Cannabis sativa L. La metodología comparó dos protocolos de pulpado de bajo impacto: (P1) con maceración corta (3 horas) y (P2) con maceración prolongada (10 días) y ebullición (2,5 horas). Los resultados demuestran que el P1 resultó en una desfibración incompleta y papel áspero, mientras que el P2, optimizado, produjo una pulpa blanda y hojas uniformes y granuladas. El papel del Protocolo 2 fue sometido a pruebas de aplicación artística (xilografía, serigrafía y técnicas mixtas), demostrando un excelente rendimiento y una notable resistencia al agua, comprobada en la técnica del gouache lavado. Se concluye que el protocolo artesanal es viable para valorizar el residuo en un producto de alto valor agregado, alineado con la economía circular, siendo la principal barrera para su implementación en Brasil de orden legal, y no técnica.
This article presents the results of a Master's research developed at the Rio de Janeiro State University (UERJ) regarding product development from textile waste in micro and small enterprises within the Brazilian creative and circular economy. The central objective was to describe the production processes and inherent challenges of repurposing these materials. The qualitative methodology involved eleven entrepreneurs responsible for design and utilized forms, semi-structured interviews, and documentary analysis for data collection. The results were organized into nine categories, structured across three main axes: circular and creative economy, product life cycle and material reuse, and product design. The analysis demonstrates that these axes constitute the foundational factors for creating sustainable products that utilize waste as the primary raw material. It is concluded that design plays a central role in enabling environmentally responsible production processes by merging functionality and aesthetics. This visual appeal, combined with a sustainable narrative, expands market acceptance and strengthens corporate competitiveness. Thus, design not only fosters conscious practices but also drives sales and ensures business continuity and growth within the landscape of the Brazilian circular economy.
This paper investigates some of the specificities and barriers to Eco-innovation described in the literature and demonstrates (through the presentation of concrete examples) how specific public policies can overcome them, promoting forms of sustainable development. It is observed that public policies can reduce obstacles to Eco-innovation, such as high initial costs, regulatory uncertainties and cultural resistance. The analysis of different international cases reveals that tax incentives, strict environmental regulations, R&D support programs, education and training, as well as international cooperation are essential to overcome these barriers. The results indicate that well-designed public policies not only reduce the costs and financial risks associated with innovation, but also correct market failures and promote competitiveness and long-term sustainability. It is concluded that, despite the difficulties, the opportunities for Eco-innovation are vast, as well as benefits that include the growth of the green market, technological innovations and strategic partnerships, highlighting the need for public policies adapted to the specificity of Eco-innovation.
Com o rápido avanço das tecnologias de concreto e o desenvolvimento contínuo de novos materiais, a obtenção de concretos com alta resistência e durabilidade tornou-se mais viável. No entanto, há uma demanda crescente por concretos leves que podem oferecer vantagens significativas em termos de desempenho estrutural e redução de carga. Este trabalho visa preencher essa lacuna propondo a substituição, em volume, da areia britada e da areia natural por argila expandida em diferentes proporções (0%, 25%, 50%, 75% e 100%) para criar um microconcreto leve de alto desempenho. O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar as características desses microconcretos tanto no estado fresco quanto no endurecido, considerando a necessidade de materiais que combinem leveza e rigidez para aplicações estruturais especializadas. As proporções da mistura foram definidas a partir de uma mistura de referência com uma relação ligante total: agregado de 1:2,0 e ajustadas com argila expandida. A dosagem foi calculada pelo método IPT/EPUSP. Foram realizados os seguintes ensaios: ensaio de abatimento, teor de ar arrastado, densidade no estado fresco, resistência à compressão, módulo de elasticidade, resistência à tração por compressão diametral, densidade seca no estado endurecido, absorção total de água e Microscopia Eletrônica de Varredura (MEV).
This article investigates how the principles of the Cittaslow movement can contribute to sustainable urban planning. Based on a narrative literature review, national and international publications were analyzed using keywords such as Cittaslow, Slow Movement, Slow Cities, and Design. The selection criteria prioritized studies that address the movement from an urban perspective. The results indicate that Cittaslow contributes to urban design by promoting practices that value the territory, such as the preservation of historical layouts, the use of local materials, and the encouragement of co-design. These strategies strengthen cultural identity and foster slower and more sustainable ways of inhabiting cities. It is concluded that the principles of Cittaslow offer relevant guidelines for urban design, especially when considering the relationship between design, territory, and sustainable lifestyle
Data analysis reveals the constant increase in the number of incarcerated individuals in Brazil due to final sentences, and given the staffing deficit of the Public Defender's Office, the majority of these inmates do not benefit from the entitlements available during the penal execution phase, as a request is required for such. The system is rigid, and changing this reality demands creativity and innovation. Thus, this scientific article aims to analyze the capability of a creative framework in generating ideas for the presented problems. The results show that it was possible to find alternatives that can enhance the case study problem, indicating the feasibility of the analyzed Creative Framework.
This research raises questions regarding a systemic change in the current footwear production and consumption model, through the use of strategies oriented towards Distributed Manufacturing and Digital Fabrication of shoes components. It aims to validate such strategies for a sustainable local production, providing small companies of the sector more autonomy and involvement in the processes, towards a more distributed and hybrid (digital and artisanal) manufacturing process. It emphasizes the development of Distributed Economy solutions through the creation of value for actors in small local businesses in the sector. Through a single case study with a participatory observation, the process of redesigning a shoe was conducted in 4 main phases with a small local company in the sector in partnership with a makerspace. The project was carried out with the support of design tools to develop solutions, and as a result, a prototype of a shoe was obtained, made in collaboration between the actors, showing that the local-global capacity of the Distributed Manufacturing via Digital Fabrication strategy has the potential to provide sustainable alternatives to the complex global supply chains for footwear and a possible solution to the excessive consumption of resources in this sector.
This paper investigates bio-inspired thermochromic properties with potential applications in sustainable construction, drawing on the biological systems of plant leaves and flowers. It explores concepts related to natural thermochromic responses and biological modulation processes based on chromatophores, structures, and pigmentation that influence the absorption of light and heat. The analysis integrates principles of biomimetics, architecture, and materials science, assessing the potential of bio-inspired strategies for optimising energy efficiency in buildings. By examining the natural thermal regulation mechanisms found in plants, the study identifies possibilities for adapting these systems to the built environment. The research highlights how biological principles can underpin sustainable architectural solutions, contributing to reduced energy consumption and environmental impact. This work underscores the importance of biomimetics as an innovative tool to integrate functionality, aesthetics, and sustainability, driving advancements in the construction sector and forging connections between intelligent design and natural processes.
This article addresses the use of tree waste from pruning and urban suppression to make kitchen utensils that allow the construction of a cultural identity of Bertioga. Thus, an approach of biomimetic and biomorphic concepts was used from the spoonbill bird (Platalea ajaja) to conduct the project. In order to offer a product that local artisans could manufacture and have an artisanal culture valued, concepts of circular economy, regenerative design, slow design and design and territory were also used in the literature review. Following the double diamond method, the development of the project started from the analysis of the history and caiçara culture of Bertioga, as well as the osteological study of the bird, and disrupted a traditional carpentry production, with the application of natural dyes and finishes, so that the arts could replicate the prototypes without great difficulties.
This article aims to disseminate the potential of bamboo as a raw material for the development and production of artifacts that contribute to productive and social life in peripheral urban communities. The research, carried out as part of a master's degree in Design, was conducted in the communities of Confisco and Coqueiros, in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil, which are characterized by high socioeconomic vulnerability. It was identified that local artisans faced difficulties in marketing their products due to the high cost of renting traditional market stalls. Given this context, a stall was developed based on eco-design principles, using Phyllostachys aurea bamboo, with the following characteristics: low cost, demountable, compact, durable, easy to assemble, and capable of being produced with simple tools by the artisans themselves. The project included training workshops on bamboo craft techniques for manufacturing stalls, promoting learning and empowerment among participants. Although still ongoing, partial results indicate that the initiative can promote environmental awareness, critical thinking, and community strengthening, in addition to increasing the productive and economic autonomy of artisans, especially among Black women from low-income neighborhoods with limited formal education.
This study aimed to assess the natural vulnerability of groundwater resources through the adaptation of the EKv methodology, combined with physical characterization of the soil and geophysical techniques (GPR, electrical resistivity, and magnetometry), applied in a site lacking pre-existing local hydrogeological data, in Visconde de Mauá–RJ, Brazil. The EKv method considers the thickness (E) and vertical permeability (Kv) of the unsaturated zone, enabling an integrated analysis of the aquifer’s natural protective capacity. The results indicated three vulnerability classes: medium in Campo do Centro (EKv = 7), medium in Praça da Igreja (EKv = 5), and high in Lote-10 (EKv = 8). Low clay content, geologic structures favorable to vertical percolation, and the reduced thickness of the unsaturated zone were key factors in limiting the natural attenuation capacity. The presence of lithological contacts, sub-horizontal foliation, and fractures increases the contamination risk by promoting preferential flow paths. The integrated approach proved effective in identifying critical vulnerability zones, despite the limitations of the EKv methodology. The incorporation of geophysical methods significantly improved the accuracy of estimations and contributed to a more detailed spatial analysis of the subsurface, providing more robust support for the assessment of groundwater vulnerability.
Offshore oil platforms operate like small cities and generate a significant amount of waste, much of which is hazardous to human health and the environment. This study analyzes the environmental impacts of improper waste disposal, including the formation of plastic islands and the presence of microplastics in marine organisms, which disrupt the food chain. In response to this issue, solid waste management methods such as Reverse Logistics and the Circular Economy are discussed, as they promote material reuse and reduce environmental damage. The study highlights the importance of strategic planning, regulatory oversight, and the encouragement of sustainable corporate practices. Given the growth of offshore activities and the limited research on this topic, there is a pressing need to deepen scientific studies and improve waste management techniques in this sector.
Este estudo avaliou o desempenho térmico de diferentes modelos de Telhado Verde (TV) em comparação com um telhado cerâmico convencional (TCC) em ambientes urbanos. Foram testados quatro protótipos: Telhado Cerâmico Convencional (TC), Telhado Verde Convencional (TVC), Telhado Verde em Bandeja (TVB) e Telhado Verde Alveolar (TVA). As medições térmicas foram realizadas em diferentes condições climáticas, analisando as temperaturas internas e externas. Os resultados mostraram que os Telhados Verdes, especialmente o modelo alveolar (TVA), apresentaram melhor desempenho térmico do que o TCC. As temperaturas internas foram mais amenas em dias quentes e mais estáveis em dias frios, proporcionando maior conforto térmico. A vegetação utilizada, como a grama esmeralda, contribuiu para o resfriamento do ambiente e ajudou a mitigar o efeito de ilhas de calor urbanas. Os sistemas TVB e TVA também incluíram camadas de drenagem e reservatórios de água, o que aumentou a eficiência térmica, reduziu a necessidade de irrigação e favoreceu o manejo das águas pluviais. Conclui-se que os Telhados Verdes são uma solução eficaz e sustentável para melhorar o conforto térmico urbano e reduzir impactos ambientais. Estudos futuros podem explorar sua aplicação em diferentes contextos climáticos e urbanos, bem como seus impactos econômicos e sociais.
