Energy efficiency in historic buildings : new materials for traditional envelopes

ABSTRACT: The energy consumed by historical buildings is much higher comparing to the modern constructions. The law is mostly related with the newly built constructions, stating requirements and guidelines for the energy demand. However, regulating the law concerning historical buildings is very difficult because of the need for preserving the historical and cultural value they represent. Moreover, recently discovered technologies can support the transformation process providing the most efficient solutions and increasing building’s performance. This dissertation will present research concerning a detailed state-of-the-art review on cutting-edge products and systems for energy retrofitting, in order to develop an inventory of suitable transformation/adaptation schemes and technological solutions for envelope components in a case study, by preliminary assessment of architectural, typological and constructional characteristics.Máster europeo en Ingeniería de la Construcció