PurposeThis paper wants to explore the potential for energy‐efficient upgrading of existing residential buildings in Belgrade, targeting the portions of the existing building stock which seem to be the most convenient for such intervention.Design/methodology/approachUsing the methodology proposed by the scientific research project “Energy Optimization of Buildings in Context of Sustainable Architecture” (Faculty of Architecture – University of Belgrade and Serbian Ministry of Science and Technology) Belgrade's building stock is presented through six major groups. The typology shows different potentials of these building types for quality rehabilitation.FindingsThis paper shows that it can be estimated that over 45 percent of Belgrade's building stock could be efficiently improved in present market conditions. The potential overall benefit of such shift in the environmental quality of existing buildings is huge enough to initiate active involvement and support of various parties – authorities, legislation, building industry, professional organizations, NGOs, etc.Practical implicationsThe paper points out which building types are the most suitable for such upgrades and improvements. It facilitates the choice for potential pilot‐projects, experimental interventions or sampling for theoretical and numerical research that could explore technical solutions and estimate possible benefits for a particular building or building type.Originality/valueThe paper shows rather informative overview of Belgrade's building stock, structured in order to facilitate further theoretical and practical work in this area and initiate more focused and precise quantification of potential benefits.

Original scientific paper https://doi.org/10.2298/TSCI170612227SThe aim of this research is to examine and analyse the thermal characteristics of the façade modular element. The possibility of optimization of the façade coating with vegetation is examined experimentally in this research, with the aim of improving the thermal characteristics of the façade wall. This element is made of perlite concrete in which the greenery is implanted. The scope of the research is experimental and theoretical testing the possibility for optimizing the façade coating with vegetation. The energy specificities of modular vegetation elements and their contribution to the improvement of the thermal properties of the façade wall are analysed in the experimental part of the research, the elements of vegetation are treated as the elements which influence the decrease in surface temperature of the façade coating. The modular elements in this research are placed on a reference wall surface facing the South. The methodology presented in this paper is based on the study of climate characteristics in city of Belgrade, experimental measurements of test models, and comparative analysis with the reference wall. During the experiment, the data on the external climate parameters and the coefficient of heat transfer through the wall were continuously measured. Conducted measurements and analyses show the vegetation influence on the reduction in surface temperature of the outer wall and the heat passage through the façade coating. The experiment used a modular model and several plant species. It is noticeable that vegetative walls with green areas covered by plant shells play an important role in the harmonization of the parameters of the microclimate in relation to the local environment.

This paper presents the methodology for the implementation of building typology principles as a tool for the strategic planning of residential building stock energy retrofits on a municipal level in Serbia. Research was conducted under the IEE EPISCOPE (Intelligent Energy Europe EPISCOPE/TABULA project) project with the aim of developing an adequate tool for creating building stock energy retrofit management strategies on a local level. An approach that envisions the diversity and uneven spatial distribution of building stock in smaller scale municipalities and includes statistically relevant sampling of all relevant building types was developed and tested in the pilot project that focused on the city of Vršac. Two options for local typology development were formulated: a top-down approach, which relies on the data from the national typology or other available databases by reducing them to the local level, and a bottom-up approach, which represents a new data gathering and processing method. Both approaches were tested in the pilot project and the results are compared in this paper. From the conclusions of these analyses, a common methodology for the development of local building typologies has been defined. It can be used in the strategic planning of building stock, whether for the purpose of developing local energy action plans (LEAPs) or other purposes internationally.

Paper presents a case study of refurbishment with energy efficiency upgrade of a family house in Belgrade. Analyzed building is a typical representative of family housing stock, based on the national typology of residential buildings, developed during TABULA project, which resulted in definition of models for energy efficiency upgrade and recommendations for reconstruction of each housing type. In this paper possibilities of application of these principles in a real life situation are presented, and several options for each proposed measure are discussed. Some basic building data from calculations of energy performance of refurbished building and hypothetical model of building with maximum activated thermal envelope are summed up and discussed. Evaluation of achieved results and measurements of real consumption is in progress.

The use of energy in buildings is a complex problem, but it can be reduced and alleviated by making appropriate decisions. Therefore, architects face a major and responsible task of designing the built environment in such a way that its energy dependence will be reduced to a minimum, while at the same time being able to provide comfortable living conditions. Today, architects have many tools at their disposal, facilitating the design process and simultaneously ensuring proper assessment in the early stages of building design. The purpose of this book is to present ongoing research from the universities involved in the project Creating the Network of Knowledge Labs for Sustainable and Resilient Environments (KLABS). This book attempts to highlight the problem of energy use in buildings and propose certain solutions. It consists of nine chapters, organised in three parts. The gathering of chapters into parts serves to identify the different themes that the designer needs to consider, namely energy resources, energy use and comfort, and energy efficiency.  Part 1, entitled “Sustainable and Resilient Energy Resources,” sets off by informing the reader about the basic principles of energy sources, production, and use. The chapters give an overview of all forms of energies and energy cycle from resources to end users and evaluate the resilience of renewable energy systems. This information is essential to realise that the building, as an energy consumer, is part of a greater system and the decisions can be made at different levels. Part 2, entitled “Energy and Comfort in the Built Environment”, explain the relationship between energy use and thermal comfort in buildings and how it is predicted. Buildings consume energy to meet the users’ needs and to provide comfort. The appropriate selection of materials has a direct impact on the thermal properties of a building. Moreover, comfort is affected by parameters such as temperature, humidity, air movement, air quality, lighting, and noise. Understanding and calculating those conditions are valuable skills for the designers.  After the basics of energy use in buildings have been explained, Part 3, entitled “Energy Saving Strategies” aims to provide information and tools that enable an energy- and environmentally-conscious design. This part is the most extensive as it aims to cover different design aspects. Firstly, passive and active measures that the building design needs to include are explained. Those measures are seen from the perspective of heat flow and generation. The Passive House concept, which is explained in the second chapter of Part 3, is a design approach that successfully incorporates such measures, resulting in low energy use by the building. Other considerations that the following chapters cover are solar control, embodied energy and CO2 emissions, and finally economic evaluation. The energy saving strategies explained in this book, despite not being exhaustive, provide basic knowledge that the designer can use and build upon during the design of new buildings and existing building upgrades.  In the context of sustainability and resilience of the built environment, the reduction of energy demand is crucial. This book aims to provide a basic understanding of the energy flows in buildings and the subsequent impact for the building’s operation and its occupants. Most importantly, it covers the principles that need to be taken into account in energy efficient building design and demonstrates their effectiveness.  Designers are shaping the built environment and it is their task to make energy-conscious and informed decisions that result in comfortable and resilient buildings.