Proposal for the Remodeling of University Spaces Mechanical, Environmental, and Aesthetic Evaluation Through Sustainable Rammed-Earth Furniture Case Study: Universidad Vasco de Quiroga, Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico
The construction sector and the built environment generate a significant environmental impact. However, university interior furniture has received limited attention within building sustainability strategies compared to other architectural components. This study aims to develop, mechanically analyze, and environmentally evaluate a sustainable furniture prototype for the renovation of common spaces at Universidad Vasco de Quiroga (UVAQ), integrating design tools, multicriteria analysis, and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). A sequential mixed-method approach was implemented, including spatial diagnosis, parametric design of rammed-earth furniture, structural analysis through Finite Element Analysis (FEA) under static loads of 5000 N, and a comparative LCA (wood, rammed earth, and brick). Mechanical simulations validated the feasibility of the asymmetric curved design, achieving a safety factor of 1.70, with a maximum von Mises stress of 2.939 × 105 N/m2, and submillimetric deformations, ensuring resistance under intensive use conditions. The LCA revealed that although wood presents the lowest absolute carbon emissions, rammed earth significantly optimizes energy efficiency compared to brick (2100 MJ vs. 5900 MJ). The proposed rammed-earth furniture with a polished clay finish represents a disruptive innovation that promotes environmental sustainability and mechanical robustness. This solution encourages a circular economy based on local resources and mitigates long-term environmental impact due to its extended durability compared to conventional institutional furniture proposals.