This study scrutinized indoor air quality (IAQ) and symptoms of Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) for a sustainable building renovation (SBR). A systemic review of existing literature was performed, ...including identification, screening, and scoping phases. This was followed by a keyword-based scientometric analysis. By further refining keywords, this tri-dimensional relationship was highlighted through cross-disciplinary knowledge interactions using a content analysis method. A network analysis map helped identify critical criteria and sub-criteria, later categorized into four clusters of governing data variables. A survey-based Relative Importance Weight (RIW) benchmark was performed for each variable, exhibiting its contribution towards attaining an efficient IAQ-SBR process. The Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) was used to develop a Decision Support System (DSS). This set the system's structure incorporating four hierarchical levels of assessment for achieving an IAQ-SBR. A case study building was followed to test the proposed model in a real context. In sum, this study succeeded in (1) expanding the definition and evaluation of SBR to account for IAQ, (2) developing a DSS for assessing the sustainability of the renovation process, prioritizing actions, as well as tracking and benchmarking the effect of renovation activities on IAQ, (3) creating a comprehensive comparative and absolute assessment using variables' RIWs and loading factors. The presented approach portrayed a novel academic and industry outreach contribution that put IAQ at the heart of building renovation practices. It also showed the necessity of adopting an integrated thinking approach to account for interrelated variables for an efficient IAQ-SBR.
•Systemic literature review of indoor air quality and Sick Building Syndrome for a sustainable building renovation.•A keyword-based scientometric and content analysis.•A proposed sustainable renovation assessment matrix.•A network analysis of four clusters of variables and four hierarchical levels of assessment.•A decision-support assessment system using the structural equation modelling.•Comparative and absolute evaluation of variables using a survey-based relative importance weight and loading factors.
Over the years, extent to which project managers are assessed with green related parameters to stimulate selection is lacking. Poor leadership affects effective planning, execution and control ...thereby impacting project delivery. Sustainable renovation projects are generally complex in nature as new sustainable technologies are introduced to reduce energy demand of existing buildings. To establish the research gaps, an extensive review of the literature was undertaken. Given that a selection criteria that relates closely to a project manager for green renovation is lacking, the study designed a conceptual framework to explain the scope of the research. A quantitative approach was adopted to examine the agents that influence selection of project managers for green renovation projects. A questionnaire was used to gather data of factors that impact selection of project managers in green renovation projects in Ghana. The findings of a rigorous statistical analysis indicate adequate working experience, cost of green renovation project, duration of a green renovation project, academic qualifications and knowledge of sustainable technologies are critical to the selection of project managers. Others include ability to work effectively in a team, evidence of adequate green training, green renovation projects managed and understanding of conflict management. The findings reinforce theories underpinning construction project management as selection variables for effective project delivery are addressed. The findings inform government decisions to engage project managers for green renovation projects and provide literature for teaching and learning.
The building sector in Romania is dominated by residential buildings that are old and have poor thermal performance. As a member of the European Union, Romania has to reach the objectives imposed by ...the Directive 2009/28/EC and to fulfill the requirements of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) by year 2020. The implementation of these concepts in Romania consists into thermal rehabilitation of the existing buildings, applying the latest thermal performance characteristics in new buildings and establishing the certificate of energy performance. The following paper presents the literature review of the state of building energy performance in Romania. The purpose of the literature review analysis is to provide a snapshot on the existing building energy efficiency and future perspectives on the implementation of high performance buildings in Romania. The implementation of concepts such as the Passive House (PH), nearly Zero Energy Buildings (nZEB) and Net Zero Energy Buildings (NZEB) are discussed in order to help the decision makers to achieve the 2020 objectives. The results of the reviewed publications and case studies are classified under three categories: policy and regulations, technology and feasibility. Finally a holistic perspective on the Strength, Weakness, Opportunities and Threats (SWOTs) of energy efficiency in Romania's residential building sector is presented.
Energy consumption of buildings accounts for around 20–40% of all energy consumed in advanced countries. Over the last decade, more and more global organizations are investing significant resources ...to create sustainably built environments, emphasizing sustainable building renovation processes to reduce energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions. This study develops an integrated decision support system to assess existing office building conditions and to recommend an optimal set of sustainable renovation actions, considering trade-offs between renovation cost, improved building quality, and environmental impacts. A hybrid approach that combines A* graph search algorithm with genetic algorithms (GA) is used to analyze all possible renovation actions and their trade-offs to develop the optimal solution. A two-stage system validation is performed to demonstrate the practical application of the hybrid approach: zero-one goal programming (ZOGP) and genetic algorithms are adopted to validate the effectiveness of the algorithm. A real-world renovation project is introduced to validate differences in energy performance projected for the renovation solution suggested by the system. The results reveal that the proposed hybrid system is more computationally effective than either ZOGP or GA alone. The system's suggested renovation actions would provide substantial energy performance improvements to the real project if implemented.
Complexity in the sustainable renovation of heritage buildings requires adoption of more sophisticated technologies and project management models to deal with the contradiction between sustainable ...design and heritage values preservation, as well as enhancing process productivity and final performance. This research aims to assess the application of several Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) strategies and tools through Building Information Modelling (BIM), determining shared collaborative practices across the projects and the level to which the teams were able to implement the tools and processes effectively to enhance sustainability aspects and efficiency of renovating heritages. The research adopts a mixed methodology, Qualitative Comparative Analysis triangulating the collected data. An intensive review of related literature is carried out, besides data collection and analysis of four real-world heritage cases (in different contexts). The research study enables a comprehensive and systematic exploration of the potential use of IPD and BIM within the development of an analytical framework consisting of a set of defined variables including 50 criteria, classified into 15 categories, and grouped into five thematic strands (people, process, policy, technology, and product). The findings reveal that IPD and BIM simultaneous use allows integrating heritage values into holistic decision-making frameworks attaining high-performance outcomes in heritage renovations.
This study examines renovation strategies among owners of rental housing in Sweden in response to European energy policies that promote deep renovation as a means to reduce carbon emissions from ...residential buildings. Case studies of ten housing companies, seven public and three private, were designed with the aim to examine housing owners’ attitudes and renovation strategies, and how policies and objectives for energy efficiency become incorporated into these attitudes and strategies. Results are illustrated in typologies that distinguish between renovation strategies with either a more commercial or a more societal focus and spanning between deep and partial renovation. The typologies can be used to discuss how different aspects influence renovation, and illustrates how strategies change over time. The study identifies a trend in which housing owners are increasingly relying on partial or over-time renovation. Cost is one important driver, but social responsibility toward tenants and in some cases the protection of cultural heritage are also found to be important. A distrust of fixed models for renovation was observed. The paper questions the concept of deep renovation and suggests instead partial and over-time renovation as a way forward toward sustainable renovation. Partial renovation can bring together energy efficiency with environmental, financial, social, and cultural objectives of housing management. If managed properly, over-time renovation can reduce the risk of an investment, and has the advantage of allowing future technological advancements in energy efficiency to be included in current planning.
This study examines renovation strategies among owners of rental housing in Sweden in response to European energy policies that promote deep renovation as a means to reduce carbon emissions from ...residential buildings. Case studies of ten housing companies, seven public and three private, were designed with the aim to examine housing owners’ attitudes and renovation strategies, and how policies and objectives for energy efficiency become incorporated into these attitudes and strategies. Results are illustrated in typologies that distinguish between renovation strategies with either a more commercial or a more societal focus and spanning between deep and partial renovation. The typologies can be used to discuss how different aspects influence renovation, and illustrates how strategies change over time. The study identifies a trend in which housing owners are increasingly relying on partial or over-time renovation. Cost is one important driver, but social responsibility toward tenants and in some cases the protection of cultural heritage are also found to be important. A distrust of fixed models for renovation was observed. The paper questions the concept of deep renovation and suggests instead partial and over-time renovation as a way forward toward sustainable renovation. Partial renovation can bring together energy efficiency with environmental, financial, social, and cultural objectives of housing management. If managed properly, over-time renovation can reduce the risk of an investment, and has the advantage of allowing future technological advancements in energy efficiency to be included in current planning.
The landlord/tenant dilemma arises when the interests of landlords and tenants misalign and is one of the greatest barriers hindering the development of sustainable renovation of residential ...buildings in Europe. The aim of this research is to investigate how regulatory changes and contractual solutions can help solve the landlord/tenant dilemma in relation to sustainable renovation of residential buildings, and how the general awareness of sustainable renovation can be increased. Particular focus is on whether tools like energy performance contracting and energy labeling can help solve the landlord/tenant dilemma. The research was done in relation to the specific situation in Denmark, but theory, information and experiences from other countries were included. The results show that there are plenty of opportunities to overcome the landlord/tenant dilemma, but principal/agent problems can only be overcome with a package solution. In the Danish national context the package solution must consist of legislative changes, financial incentives and better dissemination of information. Therefore, an array of different tools must be integrated and used in cooperation to overcome the dilemma.
•There are plenty of opportunities to overcome the landlord/tenant dilemma.•The principal/agent problems can only be overcome with a package solution.•An array of different tools must be integrated and used in cooperation.•Legislative changes, financial incentives and better dissemination of information.
In seismic European countries most of the residential building stock is highly energy-intensive and earthquake-prone because it was built before the enforcement of the most recent energy and seismic ...codes. Furthermore, this stock often shows a low architectural quality due to poor maintenance and/or construction and design deficiencies: for all these reasons, it needs deep renovation, but the use of common energy and seismic upgrading techniques is often unsustainable in terms of costs, work duration, and occupants’ disturbance. Therefore, new integrated, affordable, fast, and low-disruptive renovation actions are strongly needed. This study proposes an innovative energy, seismic, and architectural renovation solution for reinforced concrete (RC) framed buildings, based on the addition of cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels to the outer walls, in combination with wooden-framed panels. The two panels integrate insulation and cladding materials in order to improve the energy performance and the architectural image of the renovated building. Moreover, the CLT panels are connected to the existing RC frame through innovative seismic energy dissipation devices. In case of an earthquake, these devices in combination with the CLT panels reduce the drift demand of the building, preventing or reducing structural damages and consequent repair costs. In particular, this paper investigates the technical feasibility, the energy efficiency, and the architectural enhancement of the proposed retrofitting system. To this purpose, dynamic thermal simulations were conducted on a typical multi-story residential building from the 1960s, located in Catania, Italy. The results indicated that this retrofitting technique considerably improved the energy performance of the selected building, with a reduction of the global energy demand up to nearly 60%. The presented study is part of a larger research project aimed at also investigating, in a further stage, the seismic performance achievable by the above-mentioned renovation solution.
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