Combining seismic retrofit with energy refurbishment for the sustainable renovation of RC buildings: a proof of concept

In this paper, an integrated approach targeting sustainability, safety and
resilience is envisioned for the renovation of the post-Second World War RC
buildings clustered in urban outskirts. The solution stems as an enhancement
of the widespread camouflage practice, which targets energy efficiency and
architectural restyling by complementing the building with a technological
double skin, self-supported on an independent exoskeleton. Based on this
integrated approach, the exoskeleton can be further engineered to also
enable structural safety and resilience. Life cycle thinking is addressed to reconceive
traditional structural design approaches, guaranteeing safety, while
minimising costs and environmental impacts over the building life cycle.
Accurate selection of materials and dry technologies enables adaptability,
reparability and maintenance, and total recyclability/reuse at end-of-life.
The intervention is carried out from outside, avoiding relocation of the
inhabitants and possible building downtime. The paper introduces a possible
framework for engineers, technologists and architects to design new holistic
renovation interventions, for which innovative solution sets are required.
Possible structural techniques to be coupled with energy refurbishment are
proposed. As a proof of concept, the envisaged holistic renovation strategy is
applied to a reference building, and benefits entailed in combining structural
safety measures within an integrated intervention are commented.