Multi-active façade for refurbishments of residential buildings

This article reflects results from the technology screening and analyses of passive and active measures applied to large scale residential building refurbishments, focusing on the facade. This work is part of the research study ‘multi-active façade' that focuses on the development of an innovative facade concept suitable for the refurbishment challenges that the ambitious Swedish housing programme "Miljonprogrammet" of the 1960s to 1970s is facing now. The objective is to identify those measures for energy efficient facade refurbishments of a building concept that uses multifunctional solutions, while an upgrading towards a highly energy efficient standard is economically limited. Two criteria are in the centre of the investigations: “Multi-active” and “prefabrication” in the realm of cost-effectiveness and minimal-invasive refurbishment. Hereby, "passive" measures, such as adaptive thermal insulation or thermal puffer zones useable as extended living areas, are analysed in the context of their performance effectiveness in cold climates. The potential of “active” measures, such as semi-decentralized ventilation or solar energy technologies, is analysed in regards to utilize existing infrastructure, decentralized functionality and local sources at its optimum. All measures shall provide a high comfort and performance out of the façade. The facade is also meant to be a “plug and play” system allowing fast mounting and high archi-tectural flexibility. Framing criteria are sustainability and - critical for the success of refurbishments – economic replicability. The benefits of such energy renovation, often not considered in the decision making process, shall become visible by life cycle assessments and performance analyses. The analyses in this article contributes to the ongoing process in these goals, drawing conclusions for the replicability of selected active and passive solutions