No abstract

This article draws an innovative architectural solution for enhanced energy efficiency by retrofitting ensembles of listed buildings. A combination of various simulation tools and a self-developed feasibility tool has been used at the preliminary design stage to develop a measure at an urban scale within the campus of TU Berlin. First, a potential analysis for 48 buildings within the campus has been run using multi-zone simulations with Modelica. Afterward, with the feasibility analysis tool based on Python, called HCBC-Tool, all possible measures have been ranked at the pre-stage of this project. As a conclusion, by buildings where standard measures are not feasible, alternative solutions have been developed using DesignBuilder, where not only energy-related issues both also architectural ones were considered. Additionally, energy substitution measures have been simulated with SunnyDesign to complete the concept. Here, a “climate envelope (CE)”, which is an additional transparent envelope covering the buildings partially, has been developed for a building ensemble built between 1883-1975. Enhancing the energy efficiency of all five buildings within the ensemble with standard measures up to the new building level according to the German energy efficiency regulations would reduce their energy consumption app. 32%. Nevertheless, this regulation is not mandatory by listed buildings. Besides, 12,152 m2 external envelope surface should be retrofitted. By comparison, a CE could lead to enhanced energy efficiency and it alone could reduce the energy demand of the building ensemble up to 33% and combining it with standard measures could increase the savings up to 60%.

No abstract

Energy retrofitting of listed buildings requires a rethink as it is economically and technically complicated to retrofit. The Technische Universität Berlin has 47 buildings with a total net floor area above 500.000 m2 in its central campus, and 60% of them are listed. In Germany, optimizing the energy efficiency of such buildings has not to fulfill the requirements of the energy efficiency regulations. On the one hand, this situation is not corresponding to the national objectives regarding climate adaptation. On the other hand, they have to be retrofitted because of issues like poor energy efficiency and user comfort, and not privileged with special regulations. However, instead of changing the regulations, it is possible to solve the problem by changing the way of thinking. In this regard, rather than retrofitting such buildings directly, a new approach has been developed where the surrounding climatic conditions are optimized. Hereby, a simulation-based concept has been developed with an external transparent envelope. This “climate envelope” creates an intermediate space between outdoor and indoor, where through controlled air movement and passive solar gains, the balance in seasonal energy efficiency can be kept economically without any implementation on the buildings according to the building thermal and CFD simulations. This overall approach activates the yet not exploited capacity of energy savings by listed buildings using intelligent design and saves up to 30% more of primary energy.

No abstract