Energy Retrofits with TES Energy Facade as an Opportunity for Architectural Regeneration

The European built environment is in the need of major renovations and urban renewal. The largest building stock derives from the Post World War II -era. Building envelopes and technical building systems are at the end of their lifespan. The energy efficiency of existing buildings must be increased but in a cost efficient way. Concurrently we should decrease greenhouse gas emissions and enhance resource efficiency. This paper discusses the feasibility of tackling these challenges with extensive facade retrofit measures. The paper presents a comparison of three refurbishment cases including a facade retrofit realized with Timber-based elements for improving the energy efficiency of the building envelope (TES Energy Facade). Projects are compared regarding the facade structure and design, energy efficiency before and after refurbishment, and technical building systems as well as impacts on the building inside. The discussion focuses on architectural aims and solutions, the potential for improving energy efficiency and the impacts on living. Based on the three evaluated pilot projects, TES Energy Facade is an option for renewing and enhancing the quality of buildings. The method seems to be a relevant alternative for building facade retrofits if (1) the heating energy demand of the building must be decreased and the original level of thermal insulation is insufficient, and (2) the building facade is in the need of additional interventions like the exchange of windows, external cladding and other making prefabrication of the entire facade a viable option.