A European Project for Safer and Energy Efficient Buildings: Pro-GET-onE (Proactive Synergy of inteGrated Efficient Technologies on Buildings’ Envelopes)

Abstract

Abstract:The paper describes the progress of the four-year European project Pro-GET-onE currently under implementation. This research and innovation project is based on the assumption that greater efficiency, attractiveness, and marketable renovation can only be achieved through an integrated set of technologies where all the different requirements (energy, structural, functional) are optimally managed. Thus, the project focuses on the unprecedented integration of different technologies to achieve a multi-benefit approach that is provided by a closer integration between energy and non-energy related benefits. The project aims to combine different pre-fabricated elements in a unified and integrated system resulting in a higher performance in terms of energy requirements, structural safety, and social sustainability. The project attempts to achieve this goal through the introduction of innovative solutions for building envelopes to optimally combine the climatic, structural, and functional aspects through a significant architectural transformation and a substantial increase of the real estate value of the buildings. This augmented value obtained through the application of the inteGrated Efficient Technologies (GETs) is extremely important when considering the necessity of creating an innovative and attractive market in the energy renovation of existing buildings towards the target of nearly zero energy buildings (nZEBs).

From the Efficiency of Nature to Parametric Design. A Holistic Approach for Sustainable Building Renovation in Seismic Regions

“…Nevertheless, even by using exoskeletons, if we do not proceed by considering the problem of renovation in a global way and we consider only one aspect, we could only produce structural prostheses that do not regard aesthetics in terms of sustainability (Figures 3). Here the adopted exoskeleton converts an office construction built in the 1970s into an earthquake-proof edifice, but this new structure does not integrate with the architecture it intends to strengthen and presents itself as a prosthesis that meets only its structural needs [8]. Moreover, much of the building was demolished and then rebuilt.…”

“…An interesting example in holistic terms is the one by European research project Pro-GET-onE (acronym of Proactive Sinergy of integrate Efficient Technologies on Buildings' Envelopes) [8] ( Figure 5). The set of solutions tested in this case is part of a holistic view of the problem.…”

“…This choice often falls on steel because of the advantages it offers, but reinforced concrete diagrids are available too. In fact, steel exoskeletons Here the adopted exoskeleton converts an office construction built in the 1970s into an earthquake-proof edifice, but this new structure does not integrate with the architecture it intends to strengthen and presents itself as a prosthesis that meets only its structural needs [8]. Moreover, much of the building was demolished and then rebuilt.…”

“…in zone 3 (low seismicity: 0.05 < PGA ≤ 0.15) and 9.4 million ones in zone 4 (very low seismicity: ag ≤ PGA) [5]. Lack of careful planning and the urban speculation allowed Italian real estate developers after the second world war to build poor quality structures in terms of materials, construction details and in terms of architectural image as well [6][7][8]. It is also worth noting that most Italian buildings erected in compliance with the seismic regulations implemented between the 1950s and the 1990s are incompatible with current regulations, which feature much higher standards of anti-seismic efficiency.…”

A Methodology for an Integrated Approach for Seismic and Energy Refurbishment of Historic Buildings in Mediterranean Area

“…Recently, there has been an increase in researchers, who have proposed at least a multidisciplinary approach. The European Project for Safer and Energy Efficient Buildings proposes a multi-benefit approach that is provided by a closer integration between energy and non-energy related benefits [24]. This project combines different pre-fabricated elements in an integrated system that enables the achievement of high performance in terms of energy requirements, structural safety and social sustainability.…”