Assessment of difficulties in developing a digital model of existing buildings:

case study for the UFRJ school of letters building

Abstract

This article presents the preliminary results of a study conducted by a research group from [omitted], in partnership with the UFRJ Green Fund, with the aim of contributing to the development of a Sustainability Master Plan for the UFRJ Cidade Universitária Campus, using the Faculty of Letters building as a case study. The work involved a document survey, technical visits, systematization of information, and computer modeling of the building with a focus on energy performance. The research was methodologically based on the analysis of the existing project, on-site data collection, and computer simulation using specific software. Throughout the process, several difficulties were encountered, such as incompatibility of information between the project and the built environment, limited access to internal spaces, and the lack of technical data on equipment. Nevertheless, it was possible to develop guidelines to guide future interventions in the building, such as replacing air conditioning units, improving the roof, and adapting it to accommodate photovoltaic systems. The study reinforces the importance of integrating teaching, research, and outreach, and highlights the potential for replicating the methodology in other university buildings and other public educational institutions.