Optimised Retrofit Strategies for Post-War Non-Domestic Buildings

Ozlem Duran, Loughborough University

The aim of the project is to optimise the retrofitprocess of post-war non-domestic modernist buildings focusing specifically on office buildings, by applying dynamic energy simulations to the building models that represent this defined building stock. The potential of retrofit features for a realistic conversion of the chosen type buildings into energy efficient buildings will be analysed and supported by providing a guideline for the typical buildings of the chosen era.

This aim will be achieved by the following objectives;

Objective 1: Conducting a detailed literature review to collect data in order to define the typical characteristics of post-war non-domestic buildings. Two major structural types of buildings will be concerned, concrete frame and steel frame structures.

Objective 2: Forming building models (exemplars) which are the representative of the building types of the chosen era by implementing the defined characteristic properties in the energy models.

Objective 3: Modelling and simulating the exemplars in order to find out the potential to reduce the energy use and GHG emissions by applying both “basic” retrofit features such as improved insulation and glazing, and “advanced” ones like heat recovery and improved system control.

Objective 4: Optimising the retrofit process for energy use, GHG emissions and costs within thermal comfort boundaries to find the most realistic configuration of the retrofit features.