Design of the Refurbishment of Historic Buildings with a Cost-Optimal Methodology: A Case Study

Abstract

The transformation of existing buildings into Near Zero Energy Buildings or even positive energy buildings remains a major challenge. In particular, historic buildings are an important cultural heritage that, in most cases, may be rehabilitated and reused for new purposes. However, achieving higher efficiencies in those buildings presents many difficulties, since there is a need to preserve aesthetic values and minimize impact on the buildings’ initial construction. In this work, a roadmap that allows rehabilitating a building from the eighteenth century is developed, turning it into a landmark building, to be used as a museum in the near future. The procedure is based on 3D models using REVIT software and detailed energy simulations supported by a cost-optimal methodology. The results reveal how conventional methodologies shown in the literature may improve the energy performance of the buildings during the heating regime, but performance may deteriorate during the cooling season. For that reason, the present study includes the design of a night ventilation system which allows not only solving this problem but also to reducing the cooling demands by more than 43% with little additional costs. In conclusion, historic buildings (which traditionally have a high thermal mass) have increased thermal storage potential by using the structures of the buildings themselves as well as passive cooling techniques.

A Feasibility Analysis of The Refurbishment Investments in The Italian Residential Market

“…With regard to the costs relating to new construction interventions, numerous studies have been carried out with the aim of estimating the monetary amounts necessary for the realization of the project, both in terms of realization ex-novo [6][7][8][9][10] that of reconstruction following seismic events [11][12][13][14][15][16]. The process of defining a project involves further categories of costs whose analysis and estimate allows one to provide a more comprehensive economic framework.…”

Multi-Attribute Analysis of Contemporary Cultural Buildings in the Historic Urban Fabric as Sustainable Spaces—Krakow Case Study

“…Characterised by dense development and limited greenery, historic centres of large cities become urban heat islands [11], contributing to increased air pollution and other environmental pathologies [12]. The conversion of protected historic heritage into NZEBs (nearly zero-energy buildings) presents many difficulties [13]. Given the need to protect cultural values in these areas, measures of a different kind must be planned and implemented.…”

Strategic Planning for Promoting Energy Saving Awareness at Student Residential Colleges Universiti Teknologi Malaysia

“…In this context, previous researches reframe energy management by the existence to address the issues of higher energy consumption and building energy-wasting and [1; 2]. As a consequence, other research has emphasized on systematic energy management approach to improve building energy efficiency based on energy consumption benchmarking [3], building energy refurbishment [4] and implementing energy management system [5;6]. Furthermore, systematic energy management concerning the various building types, operations, and facilities become more complex and multidimensional when related to other factors such as changing trends over the years, occupants' lifestyles and behaviours and stakeholder profitability interest.…”