Thermal and lighting performance of "Teatinas" in Lima

Abstract

The teatinas, zenithal components of natural ventilation and illumination, were incorporated in a sistematic way in the buildings of the city of Lima and largely in the peruvian coast from the mid 18th to the late 19th centuries. The objective of the study was to evaluate the energetic performance and luminance of those buildings that contain this component and valuate eventual use of them in contemporary architecture. After describing climatic characteristics, buildings that contains them and the teatines themselves, we proceeded to calculate the thermal and luminance conditions achieved by using them, on the basis of measurements and compared simulations: temperature and relative humidity, ventilation, illumination level and glare.

The results prove that the presence of teatinas in a room provides comfortable hygrothermal conditions, generates a good performance in the uptake and distribution of the wind into the room and, compared to a conventional window allows a smooth distribution of the illumination level within the space and most probably less glare.