A influência da NBR 15575 na prática da arquitetura na cidade de Pelotas, RS.

Abstract

The NBR 15575 on Housing Constructions – Performance, published in July 2013, establishes rules for performance evaluation of housing constructions in order to technically leverage the quality of these properties. This standard defines minimum parameters of performance for each construction system and establishes requirements, criteria and methods of evaluation for these systems in order to meet users’ requirements. This is the first Brazilian standard to define projects parameters and performance specifications, establishing responsibilities for those involved: designers, constructors, suppliers and users. For this reason, it is believed that this normative will offer a different setting for the Brazilian civil construction market. Therefore, the aim of this work is to assess architects’ level of information on NBR 15575 and the possible changes that new performance evaluation procedures will bring in Architecture, as a process that starts with the initial client contact and advances into construction. It was decided to conduct an investigative work based in the ethnographic method, interviewing and observing participants, assessing architects whose offices work in projects and execution of residential constructions, in Pelotas/ RS. Four analysis variables were used: normative technical knowledge; project process; professional practice and technical and civilian responsibility. This method of work was complemented by two comparative studies of project development, before and after NBR15575. In conclusion, the performance standard will require architects’ mastery and knowledge on every functional and constructive aspect of a construction and on users’ requirements in different conditions of use. Therefore, it is part of the project-routine, new behaviors which necessarily increase the quality of the architectural designs and the final product - construction.