Sandra Flores, a native of Puno (Peru), came to the University of Navarra in search of international training that would allow her to "broaden her horizons and apply what she has learned for the benefit of her country. Thanks to the Peruvian government's Bicentennial Generation scholarship , Sandra is one of 15 doctoral students who are studying at prestigious universities with the goal of contributing to the development her country.
The doctoral student has received the award of the XIII National Competition of social housing Construye para Crecer, organized by the Ministry of Housing, Construction and Sanitation of Peru. This recognition validates the importance of working on sustainable and efficient social housing.
The award-winning project consists of a single-family house with universal accessibility conditions and programs of study bioclimatic strategies with energy efficiency simulations.
What does your research consist of?
My research seeks to implement energy efficiency rules and regulations in social housing in Peru, with the goal of improving the thermal comfort and quality of housing, especially in contexts of vulnerability. For this purpose, I combine energy simulations with case programs of study in different bioclimatic zones, together with an experimental essay in real housing that is currently in the process of measurement. The final purpose is to propose a roadmap with technical and regulatory guidelines to achieve low energy consumption housing (nZEB) in the country.
Why did you decide to go for the social energy experience in Peru?
Peru is a country with great climatic diversity and social realities where many families still do not have access to quality housing or adequate thermal comfort conditions. Betting on energetic social housing means researching and proposing accessible and sustainable solutions that improve the quality of life, reduce vulnerability to extreme cold, heat or humidity and contribute to a more dignified habitat.
For me, housing is not only a physical space, but also a place of meeting, identity and family development . That's why I look for these proposals to be efficient, inclusive and linked to the local culture.
How do you feel about receiving the award?
This achievement represents a great satisfaction for me. I have been able to apply in the project the learning that I have been developing in my doctorate in Architecture at the University of Navarra.
