This book presents a new approach to building renovation, combining aspects of various professional disciplines, integrating green building design, structural stability, and energy efficiency. It draws attention to several often-overlooked qualities of buildings that should be comprehensively integrated into the context of building renovation. The book presents an overview of the most important renovation approaches according to their scope, intensity, and priorities. Combining basic theoretical knowledge and the authors’ scientific research it emphasizes the importance of simultaneous consideration of energy efficiency and structural stability in building renovation processes. It simultaneously analyses the effects of various renovation steps related to the required level of energy efficiency, while it also proposes the options of building extension with timber-glass upgrade modules as the solution to a shortage of usable floor areas occurring in large cities. This book offers building designers and decision makers a tool for predicting energy savings in building renovation processes and provides useful guidelines for architects, city developers and students studying architecture and civil engineering. Additionally, it demonstrates how specific innovations, e.g., building extensions with timber-glass modules, can assist building industry companies in the planning and development of their future production. The main aim of the current book is to expose various approaches to the renovation of existing buildings and to combine practical experience with existing research, in order to disseminate knowledge and raise awareness on the importance of integrative and interdisciplinary solutions.

This proceedings book presents contributions to the International Conference on Critical Thinking in the Sustainable Rehabilitation and Risk Management of the Built Environment – CRIT-RE-BUILT – held in Iași, Romania, November 7–9, 2019. It mirrors outcomes in fundamental and applied research covering a broad palette of competences like observations, analysis, interpretation, evaluation, problem-solving and decision making. The book sets up eight chapters related to rehabilitation and risk in the built environment. Each chapter starts with a broad state-of-the-art presentation comprising the latest ideas and methods in the field assessing and asserting synthesized levels of research, development and novelty through a critical thinking process. The authors of the eight presentations are partners in the E+ Programme for Strategic Partnerships Rehabilitation of the Built Environment in the Context of Smart City and Sustainable Development Concepts for Knowledge Transfer and Lifelong Learning (RE-BUILT).

Purpose of the Book In today's world, where sustainability and energy efficiency have become paramount, the significance of retrofitting and renovation has never been more relevant. This book, Revitalize and Renew: A Comprehensive Guide to Retrofit and Renovation Projects, is designed to be a definitive resource for anyone looking to breathe new life into existing structures. Whether you are a homeowner eager to modernize your living space, an architect aiming to balance aesthetics with functionality, or a contractor seeking to enhance your expertise, this book will guide you through the process of transforming old, outdated buildings into efficient, sustainable, and beautiful spaces. The primary purpose of this book is to equip you with the knowledge and tools necessary to make informed decisions about retrofit and renovation projects. It aims to demystify the processes involved, provide actionable steps, and inspire creativity in the pursuit of both functional and aesthetic improvements. By the end of this book, you will be well-prepared to embark on your own renovation journey, whether it involves minor updates or a complete overhaul. Scope of the Book Retrofit and renovation are often used interchangeably, yet they serve different purposes and involve distinct processes. This book clearly distinguishes between the two, while also showing how they can be complementary in creating modern, efficient buildings that respect their historical roots. Retrofit typically involves the addition of new technology or features to an existing building, with a strong focus on improving energy efficiency, safety, and resilience to environmental challenges. Examples include upgrading insulation, installing solar panels, or reinforcing structures against seismic activity. Renovation, on the other hand, focuses more on restoring or improving the physical aspects of a building—such as its structure, interiors, and exteriors—often for aesthetic purposes, modernization, or to repair damage. In this book, we will explore both concepts in depth, providing detailed guidance on a wide range of projects, from small-scale updates to large-scale transformations. The book is divided into several key sections: Foundations of Retrofitting and Renovation: A thorough exploration of the basics, including the differences between retrofitting and renovation, the initial assessments required, and how to plan and design a project that meets your goals. Key Retrofit and Renovation Projects: A hands-on guide to specific projects, including structural enhancements, energy efficiency improvements, electrical and plumbing upgrades, and both interior and exterior renovations. Sustainability and Future-Proofing: As environmental concerns grow, this section focuses on green retrofitting strategies, smart home technologies, and designing for health, wellness, and long-term sustainability. Case Studies and Practical Examples: Real-world examples and DIY project guides that provide inspiration and practical advice for various types of retrofit and renovation projects. Managing and Completing Your Project: A deep dive into project management, budgeting, financing, and post-renovation considerations to ensure that your project is successful from start to finish. The Growing Importance of Retrofitting and Renovation The modern built environment is facing unprecedented challenges, from climate change to aging infrastructure. Retrofitting and renovation offer solutions that not only enhance the functionality and safety of buildings but also contribute to environmental sustainability. Retrofitting, in particular, has gained momentum as a crucial strategy for reducing energy consumption and lowering carbon footprints, aligning with global efforts to combat climate change. Moreover, renovating existing buildings rather than constructing new ones can preserve historical and cultural values, reduce the demand for new materials, and minimize waste. As cities become more crowded and the need for housing and commercial space grows, the efficient use of existing structures through thoughtful renovation becomes increasingly important. Who Should Read This Book? This book is intended for a diverse audience: Homeowners who want to update their homes, improve energy efficiency, or increase property value. Architects and Designers seeking inspiration and technical knowledge to incorporate into their projects. Contractors and Builders looking to expand their skills and expertise in retrofitting and renovation. DIY Enthusiasts interested in undertaking their own renovation projects with confidence. Real Estate Professionals aiming to understand the impact of retrofitting and renovation on property value and marketability. Conclusion As you embark on the journey of retrofitting or renovating a building, this book will serve as your comprehensive guide. It will help you navigate the complexities of these projects, offering practical advice, inspiring ideas, and a roadmap to success. Whether you are preserving the charm of a historic home, upgrading an outdated office building, or making your home more energy-efficient, Revitalize and Renew is here to support you every step of the way.

The importance of an integrated approach in urban design is becoming increasingly apparent. This book explains how to overcome related challenges in environmental design of urban buildings and offers guidance on the use of new materials and techniques and the integration of new philosophies. Supported by the EC's SAVE 13 programme, Environmental Design of Urban Buildings includes contributions from experts at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece, the Hellenic Open University, Greece, Cambridge Architectural Research, UK and REHVA/University of Ljubljana, Slovenia. A free CD-ROM containing multi-media software tools and climatic data accompanies the book. CONTENTS Environmental Urban Design * Architectural Design, Passive Environmental and Building Engineering Systems * Environmental Issues of Building Design * Sustainable Design, Construction and Operation * Intelligent Controls and Advanced Building Management Systems * Urban Building Climatology * Heat and Mass Transfer Phenomena in Urban Buildings * Applied Lighting Technologies for Urban Buildings * Case Studies * Guidelines to Integrate Energy Conservation * Indoor Air Quality * Applied Energy and Resources Management in the Urban Environment * Economic Methodologies * Integrated Building Design * Bibliography, Index Published with SAVE

Covers the most recent topics in the field of environmental management and provides a broad focus on the theoretical and methodological underpinnings of environmental management Provides an up-to-date survey of the field from the perspective of different disciplines Covers the topic of environmental management from multiple perspectives, namely, natural sciences, engineering, business, social sciences, and methods and tools perspectives Combines both academic rigor and practical approach through literature reviews and theories and examples and case studies from diverse geographic areas and policy domains Explores local and global issues of environmental management and analyzes the role of various contributors in the environmental management process Chapter contents are appropriately demonstrated with numerous pictures, charts, graphs, and tables, and accompanied by a detailed reference list for further readings

This book gathers the latest advances, innovations, and applications in the field of building design and construction, by focusing on new design solutions for buildings and new technologies creation for construction, as presented by researchers and engineers at the 2nd International Conference Building Innovations (ICBI), held in Poltava – Baku, Ukraine – Azerbaijan, on May 23-24, 2019. It covers highly diverse topics, including structures operation, repairing and thermal modernization in existing buildings and urban planning features, machines and mechanisms for construction, as well as efficient economy and energy conservation issues in construction. The contributions, which were selected by means of a rigorous international peer-review process, highlight numerous exciting ideas that will spur novel research directions and foster multidisciplinary collaborations.

"Natural buildings not only bring satisfaction to their makers and joy to their occupants, they also leave the gentlest footprint on the environment. In this complete reference to natural building philosophy, design, and technique, Jacob Deva Racusin and Ace McArleton walk builders through planning and constructio. The Natural Building Companion--provides the tools necessary to understand basic principles of building science, including structural and thermal engineering, and hydrodynamics. This guide offers thorough, up-to-date, and advanced installation details and performance characteristics of straw-bale, straw-clay, woodchip-clay, and cellulose wall systems, as well as earthen and stone wall systems and a variety of framing, roofing, flooring, mechanical system, and finishing options. This fully-illustrated volume informs professionals making the transition from conventional building, homeowners embarking on their own construction, or green builders who want comprehensive guidance on natural-building options. The book, part of the The Yestermorrow Design/Build Library, is accompanied by an instructional DVD"--

The book consists of original research papers in the field of Technological Advancements in Construction. It covers such topics as non-destructive testing, structural health monitoring, innovative composite materials, strengthening and rehabilitation of buildings and structures, seismic resilience of structures, thermal protection of buildings, construction and operation of buildings and structures in extreme climatic conditions, structural dynamics and vibration control, and green construction. The book contains latest information on structural mechanics of composite materials and structures, theoretical and computational modeling of new materials and structures, experimental and numerical analysis in building rehabilitation and strengthening, analytical, numerical and experimental methodologies for the analysis of multilayered structures, and advanced methods for seismic performance evaluation of building structures. The book includes original research and application papers of high academic level, where significant scientific novelty is clearly demonstrated. The book presents a valuable tool for researchers and construction professionals.