The energy-environmental efficiency of the existing building stock through morphological-constructive solutions: the case study of a single family building in Sicily

Abstract

The protection of environmental resources, both energy and natural, is a current and urgent necessity for contemporary society. Since the building sector is responsible for a large part of energy and environmental consumption, the possibilities for savings in this sector are vast, starting with improving the quality of buildings. Therefore, the ecological orientation of the construction sector today represents a valid and necessary response to the sustainable development requirement to reduce the pressure on the environment in terms of impacts and consumption of resources. This is especially true if applied to the recovery and energy-environmental efficiency of the existing building stock. The aim of this study is to propose a methodology of "good practices" for the rehabilitation of non-historic buildings in terms of formal, functional, comfort and environmental quality, a methodology that combines the theme of architectural quality with that of environmental sustainability. In particular, the aim is to demonstrate how morphological-constructive solutions can be a valid response to the requirements of energy performance, environmental sustainability and occupant wellbeing. To this end, a case study of the renovation of a single-family building from the 1970s in the municipality of Ispica is reported, in which the proposed methodology is applied.