Building Envelope Retrofitting

BPIE has been part of a winning consortium for the Seventh Framework Programme for research and technological development (FP7) of the European Union.

Envelope approach to improve sustainability and energy efficiency in existing multi-storey multi-owner residential buildings (EASEE)

The EASEE project aims at addressing this need by developing a new holistic approach to energy efficient envelope retrofitting of multi-storey and multi-owner buildings built before 1975. Indeed, there is a strong need for the development of new, flexible and easy-to-apply solutions for the envelope retrofitting while keeping the original appearance of the façade. To preserve the original appearing of the façade, a combination of modular prefabricated components is used which have the final appearance without additional finishing on site. Solutions are used such as insulating materials and new scaffolding-free installation strategies which do not require wet processes. The project, whose duration is estimated to be 48 months, has been broken down into nine work packages, each targeting partial developments concurring as a whole to the development of the EASEE approach to envelope retrofitting.

The project outcome will be the development of a set of affordable solutions that construction SMEs can apply to reduce energy demand while minimising the impact on occupants during retrofitting. Demonstration activities of retrofitting and monitoring the performance will take place. One full scale demo building will be retrofitted with the proposed method, from assessment of the starting conditions to the installation of the modular elements and to the monitoring of performance after retrofitting. A social housing of the Milan area has been chosen as demo site. Concretely, BPIE will get involved in two work packages focusing on costs and barriers to financing these new approaches; business model and market strategy; assessment of the proposed solution through their life cycle and dissemination and awareness.