Energy retrofitting of non-residential buildings with regards to heritage value and the established cultural landscape

Abstract

Interior insulation can be a problematic necessity in case of renovating poorly insulated existing buildings of heritage value. The same applies to younger buildings with interior insulation that later might be qualified as worthy of protection due to their role within an established cultural landscape. This article covers a complex of non-residential buildings, which are part of a university campus. These buildings, from the 60’s, were built as a mix of poured and prefabricated concrete structures with interior insulation. The buildings’ performance, after more than 60 years in use, was analysed based on theoretical knowledge and professional experience, available project documentation, observations, and examinations regarding the current condition of materials and components. Basing on gathered data and primary simulations of hygrothermal performance, the retrofitting potential using internal insulation as a measure of retrofit in consideration of heritage value restrictions was evaluated. Protected buildings of this construction type are, to our knowledge, so far rarely part of retrofit analyses and therefore worthy of being looked at. The building technology used is considered typical for its construction place and time, making the results representative for a larger number of comparable buildings.