Non-Invasive Approaches for Low-Energy Retrofit of Buildings:Implementation, Monitoring and Simulation in a Living Lab Case Study

There is urgent need for Europe to transform into a low-carbon economy to reduce the risk of climate change. The building sector is responsible for nearly 40% of the total energy consumption in Europe. In order to achieve substantial energy and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions, low-energy retrofitting of existing buildings becomes a very important challenge/opportunity in both domestic and non-domestic buildings. A considerable number of existing buildings are either protected or contain hazardous materials limiting the potential for conventional retrofitting approaches for improving the existing façades. Retrofitting Solutions and Services for the enhancement of Energy Efficiency in Public Buildings (RESSEEPE) is an EU-funded research project that focuses on the refurbishment of existing public buildings in different European cities. A case study approach is used to implement and monitor the performance of a range of building fabric materials. The case study focuses on a demo building in Coventry University, located within the city centre of Coventry. The paper documents the materials selection and the low-carbon refurbishment, monitoring and simulation process followed. As asbestos was found in the building, it was necessary to ensure that the materials and technologies selected didn’t interfere with the existing elements of the façade. The materials finally installed were specifically selected to work as an addition of layers rather than substitution of elements. The living lab nature of the demo-site aims to set an example for low carbon refurbishment in protected or existing buildings with hazardous materials, with a non-invasive approach based on state-of-the-art materials and technologies

Integrated Performance Optimization of Higher Education Buildings Using Low-Energy Renovation Process and User Engagement

Building performance improvement through low-energy renovation traditionally involves building performance diagnostics of the existing building, technology evaluation, selection and implementation. Effective building performance diagnostics, post-retrofit assessment and user engagement are essential to deliver performance as well as achieving socio-economic and environmental benefits at every stage of the renovation project life cycle. User’s views are often ignored when renovating a building, causing sub-optimal energy performance, user comfort and wellbeing. This paper seeks to critically evaluate the low-energy renovation process and the role of user and stakeholder engagement in the strategic implementation of low-energy retrofit technologies for performance improvement of higher education buildings. The research focuses on renovation methodology, innovative materials/systems and end-user engagement throughout the renovation project phases (pre-renovation, the renovation process and post renovation). A mixed research method was adopted, which includes building performance modelling, monitoring and user evaluation questionnaires pre and post-renovation. The research is part of European Union (EU)-funded project, targeting 50% reduction in energy consumption using innovative materials and technologies in existing public buildings. The surveys allow comparative analysis of comfort levels and user satisfaction as an indicator of the efficacy of renovation measures. A new renovation process and user engagement framework was developed. The findings suggest that there is a direct relationship between retrofit intervention, improving energy performance of low-carbon buildings and the comfort of occupants. The technologies and strategies also appear to have different impacts on user satisfaction

Use cases for Internet of Things (IoT) in the construction sector: Lessons from leading industries

This study conducts a cross-sectoral comparative analysis of academic and industry literature to determine the use cases of the internet of things (IoT). Specifically, the research seeks to explore digital applications (e.g., building information modeling (BIM), radio frequency identification (RFID)) within the construction supply chain – a sector berated for its lack of innovation. An interpretivist epistemological lens provides the overarching methodological approach adopted in which the literature constitutes units of analysis. Ensuing discussion defines the architecture of proposed real-life scenarios and provides a description of an IoT layout for these scenarios. In practical terms, the study contributes to the field by raising awareness of potential use cases of IoT for construction practitioners as ‘proof of concepts’. For researchers, the findings provide a blueprint template layout of suggested use cases to be tested in future research studies hence, offering a sound basis and a fertile ground for advancing the body of knowledge on this topic area

Methodology for Evaluating Innovative Technologies for Low- Energy Retrofitting of Public Building

There is urgency to transform Europe into a low-carbon economy to reduce the risk of climate change and achieve sustainable energy security. One of the most cost-effective measures to meet energy reduction targets, as clearly specified in the “European Economic Recovery Plan”, is to address performance of existing building stock. Buildings account for about 40% of the EUenergy consumption and one third of the GHG emissions. In particular, the state of the European building stock contains a high improvement potential. REtrofitting Solutions and Services for the enhancement of Energy Efficiency in Public Edification (RESSEEPE) is an EU funded project that focuses on the refurbishment of existing public buildings in three European cities: Coventry (UK), Barcelona (SP) and Skelleftea (SW). The aim of the project is to bring together design and decision making tools and innovative building fabric manufacturers to collaborate and improve building performance through low impact retrofitting interventions to achieve energy reduction in the region of 50%. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the process of low-energy retrofit and the selection and evaluation of low-energy technologies for retrofit. Specifically the paper looks at the decision making procedure to select advanced building technologies for high energy performance retrofitting, using Coventry University estates as a case study. The paper reviews innovative technologies and using analytical methods investigates the benefits of these potential technologies as applied to existing case study buildings within Coventry University. The interconnectivity of these buildings within the urban environment within which they sit is also evaluated

A Conceptual Model for Assessing Circularity Potential of Building Materials at the Product Manufacturing Stage

The construction industry presently accounts for 30% of natural resource extraction and 25% of solid waste generation. The prevailing economy is “Linear” which is summarised as take-make dispose. On the contrary, the “circular economy” model is a systematic model to restore, regenerate and expand the lifecycle of materials. Most of the existing circularity assessment methods are focused on the end-of-life wastage of building materials while neglecting resource consumption and wastage at the product manufacturing stage. Further, these methods only consider direct material flows for assessing the circularity potential of building materials and overlook the indirect material flows associated with product manufacturing. There is a need to develop metrics to assess the circularity performance of building materials more holistically. Therefore, this study proposes a conceptual model to assess the circularity potential of building materials by analysing both direct and indirect material flow processes of the product manufacturing stage including raw material extraction, transportation, and manufacturing. The method used to design the conceptual model includes a comprehensive literature review in two stages. First, the existing circular assessment methods are reviewed to identify the methods used for assessing the circularity potential of building materials. Secondly, the circularity options are explored to develop the circularity metrics. According to the findings of this study, in the absence of a comprehensive method to assess the circularity potential of building materials, the life cycle assessment and material flow analysis are the most prominent circularity assessment methods used. Furthermore, circularity options such as industrial waste (by-products), biodegradability, biofuels, renewable energy, reusability, recoverability, recyclability and product life span are identified as the circularity metrics for building materials at the product manufacturing stage

An investigation into the construction industry’s view on fire prevention in high-rise buildings post Grenfell

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore contemporary attitudes amongst UK construction professionals regards fire safety post the Grenfell Tower disaster. Specifically, the research examines practitioner’s perceptions of fire safety design, material specification, construction and maintenance of high-rise blocks throughout a building’s whole life cycle. Design/methodology/approach A multi-methodology approach was adopted that utilises a mix of research methods. Extant literature and media content is used as a secondary data source, providing a more insightful interpretivist analysis – the results of which guided the development of the survey’s main question set. Primary survey data are sourced from structured interviews and questionnaires completed by participating industry professionals and built environment undergraduate students using non-representative sampling methods. In addition, a Grenfell Tower special advisory panel member was interviewed to add further validity to the overall findings. Findings The quantitative findings present evidence to suggest that the Grenfell disaster (and media storm that has surrounded this event) has raised the general level of fire safety knowledge and competency amongst construction professionals. However, qualitative feedback from the special advisory panel member suggests specific fire prevention knowledge remains elusive within both industry and taught programmes at Higher Education Institutes. As a consequence, changes in the taught curriculum are proposed together with an extension of the role of facilities managers in practice to cover fire safety in greater depth. Originality/value This paper provides thoughtful insights into the contemporary discourse on fire safety within the UK construction industry. The research also provides critical suggestions to both industry and policy makers which seek to prevent a repeat tragedy occurring again

Project 80 - Eco Drive Handsworth: Future Homes Standard Case Study - Interim Report July 2023

The UK has set a legally binding target to bring all its greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050. In 2019, the government announced plans to develop a Future Homes Standard aimed to ensure that all new homes built from 2025 will produce 75-80% less carbon emissions than homes built under 2013 regulations. Midland Heart, working with the Building Alliance, decided to make the Eco Drive development near Birmingham a demonstrator that would be designed and built to the anticipated 2025 regulations. The goal of the demonstrator was to show how the standard could be achieved cost effectively without unintended consequences. The scheme of two-, three- and four-bedroom homes, used standard house layouts, and was adapted from the original 2013 Building Regulations design to meet the notional 2025 Future Homes Standard. Birmingham City University (BCU) was brought onboard to capture a case study of the development, to undertake detailed monitoring, and to engage with the occupants to record their experiences and lessons. A team of Midland Heart, designers, contractor, subcontractors, materials suppliers, specialists and BCU was set up to deliver the project in a collaborative and learning approach