Investigation of sustainability embodied in existing buildings: a case study of refurbishment adopted in a Chinese contemporary building

Yi Huang,Bart Dewancker,Chong Xu,Yufan Xiao

doi:10.1038/s41598-021-96687-9

Abstract

The Liyuan courtyard buildings are considered as contemporary architectural symbols of the spirit in Qingdao, China. The sustainability potentials embodied in the building is evaluated by building performance simulations analysis based on field investigation in this case study. Two models with optimization refurbishment were made through building simulation software. One model with façade supplemented in the insulation layers of the envelope walls and the other model with further upgrade with consideration of recycling materials mixed were discussed and estimated with building performance simulation method. The energy performance in the building and both scenarios designed can improve the energy efficiency, while the advanced model could achieve better result in the building energy behavior dramatically. Technologies innovation are proved to be good tools to improve energy performance the existing buildings by renovation actions such as insulation improvement and so on. It is concluded the sustainability regain its authentic appearance while achieve energy efficiency embodied within contemporary buildings through adaptational renovation strategies. Multicriteria considerations might influence the balanced between different factors when making decisions in the building restoration project, it is also expected to empower the fresh glory in the development of building protection and restoration.

Highlights

The Liyuan courtyard buildings are considered as contemporary architectural symbols of the spirit in Qingdao, China
The U.S Green Building Council committed to a sustainable, prosperous future with LEED rating system, which is recognized as the leading system as sustainable solution to the buildings sector development
The second part focuses on the perspective of building energy from computational building performance simulation with all collective data input into Ecotect for further simulation

Summary

Introduction

The Liyuan courtyard buildings are considered as contemporary architectural symbols of the spirit in Qingdao, China. Technologies innovation are proved to be good tools to improve energy performance the existing buildings by renovation actions such as insulation improvement and so on It is concluded the sustainability regain its authentic appearance while achieve energy efficiency embodied within contemporary buildings through adaptational renovation strategies. The United Nations set 17 sustainable development goals as the blueprint for all the member nations to achieve a better sustainable future They list the global challenges to overcome, including those related to poverty, inequality, climate change, peace and justice, especially environmental degradation. The architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry sector is believed to be responsible for considerable amount of global energy demand resulting in a significant negative environmental impacts[3], they are evaluated to be responsible for 35% of direct emissions with the certain consumption level[5]

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Conclusion