Diagnostics and intervention methods for façade retrofit of post-WWII non-domestic buildings in Europe for energy efficiency

Abstract

The growing demand of deep façade retrofits in refurbishment projects across Europe, is often accompanied by low-energy targets and architectural attributes. Factors like variability in context, material, environment and composite construction types and comfort requirements, often complicate the façade retrofits. It becomes difficult to generalise the method of retrofit for each building case. A proper understanding of the diagnostics and intervention principles improves the overall cognizance of retrofits with other systems and sub-systems. Passive retrofit strategies offer great potential to reduce the energy demand of non-domestic buildings. This paper presents a review of research and passive intervention methods that can act as guiding principles for modern façade retrofits for post-war non-domestic buildings and maintain the integrity of the building to provide higher human comfort levels and improved energy performance.