In typical practice of building renovation design, distributed teams communicate through technical drawings, but the construction industry lags in digitalization. This study addresses this gap by proposing a methodological framework integrated into digital tools for early-stage renovation processes. The framework, implemented as a web-based tool, gathers user inputs related to building details and preferences to generate alternative renovation scenarios. It utilizes databases for building characteristics, technologies, and life cycle assessment (LCA)/life cycle cost (LCC) calculations. The information flow involves user inputs, database storage, and processing layers, enabling simulations and scenario evaluations. The framework facilitates quick, cost-effective, and customized decision-making in the early design phases, aiming for energy-efficient retrofits. Results highlight the importance of databases, such as building characteristics and LCA/LCC, while emphasizing a clear communication protocol among stakeholders. Overall, the study seeks to accelerate and streamline the renovation process, promoting efficient collaboration and reducing time and costs.@en

The renovation of buildings has a high capacity to influence the environmental impacts and global objectives of climate change mitigation. In the context of designing low-energy buildings with minimized environmental impacts, the life cycle assessment (LCA) has been proven a straightforward method, to evaluate the direct and indirect environmental impacts of a building concept. Even though it is the most energy-intensive element, the use phase is not only a source of environmental concern but also the whole life cycle of the building and its components. However, energy-efficient renovation decisions tend to be financially motivated events, subject to exogenous constraints or barriers, that do not integrate whole life cycle thinking. This study aims to identify how the LCA information can be considered in comparing renovation options. compare renovation options, taking into account the modular envelope system developed as part of the European research project ENSNARE (ENvelope meSh aNd digitAl framework for building Renovation) case study. The study analysed different renovation scenarios, generated according to combinations of renewable energy sources and compare them to the base case and typical renovation scenario. Such information can support the design team in making decisions that consider the whole building and its components' life cycles.

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The implementation of Nearly Zero-Energy Buildings (NZEB) renovation packages in Europe needs to be accelerated to meet the current decarbonization goals. To achieve this level of performance, building renovation strategies should shift towards solutions that incorporate a multitude of passive and active components, increasing the complexity and costs of the execution. Moreover, it requires the involvement of different stakeholders of the building supply-chain, resulting in additional difficulties in communication and coordination processes. To address this challenge, the present study aims at mapping the renovation process in digital platforms and addressing the respective bottlenecks. In terms of renovation process, several digital platforms were analysed to identify the type of information that the stakeholders require during the different renovation phases. By structuring the information along the renovation process phases, the different stakeholders can identify when the information can be provided and how the different type of information links to each other.

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The current research presents the design and development of a prefabricated modular façade solution for renovating residential buildings. The system is conceived as an industrialised solution that incorporates solar harvesting technologies, contributing to reducing energy consumption by employing an “active façade” concept.

One of the main challenges was to achieve a highly flexible solution both in terms of geometry and enabling the incorporation of different solar-capturing devices (photovoltaic, thermal, and hybrid). Therefore, to be able to provide alternative customised configurations that can be fitted to various building renovation scenarios. Guided by the requirements and specifications, the design was defined after an iterative process, concluding with a final system design validated and adopted as viable for the intended purpose.

A dimensional study for interconnecting all the technologies composing the system was carried out. Potential alternative configurations were assessed under the modularity and versatility perspective, resulting in a set of alternative combinations that better fit the established requirements. Complementarily, the system also integrates an active window solution a component that incorporates an autonomous energy recovery system through ventilation.

The main outcome is explicated in a highly versatile modular façade system, which gives existing buildings the possibility to achieve Nearly Zero Energy Building requirements.

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Potted plants have been reported to uptake VOCs and help “cleaning” the air. This paper presents the results of a laboratory study in which two species of plants (peace lily and Boston fern) and three kinds of substrates (expanded clay, soil, and activated carbon) were tested and monitored on their capacity to deplete formaldehyde and CO2 in a glass chamber. Formaldehyde and CO2 were selected as indicators to evaluate the biofiltration efficacy of 28 different test conditions; relative humidity (RH) and temperature (T) were monitored during the experiments. To evaluate the efficacy of every test, the clean air delivery rate (CADR) was calculated. Overall, soil had the best performance in removing formaldehyde (~0.07–0.16 m3/h), while plants, in particular, were more effective in reducing CO2 concentrations (peace lily 0.01m3/h) (Boston fern 0.02–0.03 m3/h). On average, plants (~0.03 m3/h) were as effective as dry expanded clay (0.02–0.04 m3/h) in depleting formaldehyde from the chamber. Regarding air-cleaning performance, Boston ferns presented the best performance among the plant species, and the best performing substrate was the soil@en

Several studies have demonstrated the potential of botanical biofiltration and phytoremediation to remove indoor pollutants and improve overall comfort. However, there is a lack of evidence on how indoor greenery affects the Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ), particularly on Indoor Air Quality (IAQ). The main goal of this research project was to explore and evaluate the efficacy of an active plant-based system in terms of IAQ and being able to answer the main research question: “Can an active plant-based system improve the Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)?” This was achieved through laboratory studies of several plant-based systems, including chemical, physical and sensorial evaluations as well as qualitative and quantitative assessments. Some of the outcomes of this research are described below: – To develop an effective plant-based system the proper selection of its components is essential. – In real settings, the concentration of the gaseous pollutants is present in lower levels and current equipment are not able to detect them. Therefore, it is clear and confirmed that physical, chemical and sensory assessments are crucial to evaluate the real impact of plant‑based system in the IAQ. – In this project, different substrates and plants were tested and it became clear that the substrate is an important ally in reducing gaseous pollutants, such as formaldehyde. – The polluted air needs to be transported to the vicinity of the plant-based system to be able to uptake the gaseous pollutant. Therefore, an active plant-based system is needed to potentialize the impact of such systems in the IAQ since the air has to be forced to go through the system to achieve the biofiltration process. – An indoor forest is required to meet the minimum standards for ventilation rates in breathing zones just with plants without any extra mechanical ventilation.@en

The implementation of Nearly Zero-Energy Buildings (NZEB) renovation packages in Europe needs to be accelerated to meet the decarbonisation goals. To achieve this level of performance, building renovation strategies should shift towards industrialised solutions that incorporate a multitude of passive and active components, increasing the complexity and cost of the execution. Moreover, it requires the involvement of different stakeholders of the building supply chain, resulting in additional difficulties in communication and coordination. To address this challenge, this study aims at mapping the renovation process and at addressing the respective bottlenecks. The objective is to identify the type of information that the stakeholders require during the different renovation phases and provide a framework to structure the workflow between all actors. By structuring the information along the renovation process phases, the different stakeholders can identify when the information can be provided and how the different types of information link to each other.@en

Active plant-based systems are emerging technologies that aim to improve indoor air quality (IAQ). A person’s olfactory system is able to recognize the perceived odor intensity of various materials relatively well, and in many cases, the nose seems to be a better perceiver of pollutants than some equipment is. The aim of this study was to assess the odor coming out of two different test chambers in the SenseLab, where the participants were asked to evaluate blindly the level of acceptability, intensity, odor recognition, and preference at individual level with their noses. Two chambers were furnished with the same amount of new flooring material, and one of the chambers, Chamber A, also included an active plant-based system. The results showed that in general, the level of odor intensity was lower in Chamber B than in Chamber A, the level of acceptability was lower in Chamber A than in Chamber B, and the participants identified similar sources in both chambers. Finally, the preference was slightly higher for Chamber B over Chamber A. When people do not see the interior details of a room and have to rely on olfactory perception, they prefer a room without plants. @en

Previous studies have shown that next to ‘human smell’, ‘stuffy air’ is one of the discomforts that children report in classrooms. Besides, people’s olfactory system is able to recognize the perceived odour intensity of various materials relatively well and in many cases the nose seems to be a better perceiver of pollutants than some equipment. In the underlying study, the aim was to expose 335 primary children to different sources of smell, and ask them to evaluate and identify those sources at individual level with their noses. Additionally, the possible effect of plants on the reduction and/or production of smells was tested. Selected sources of odour were placed in different containers and the children were asked how they feel about the smell and to identify their source. The results showed statistically significant differences among children’s evaluations of different smells, a link between preference and recognition of odours, and, no statistical difference in the assessment of the smells when the potted plants were placed inside the CLIMPAQ. The results confirm the need to include sensory assessments in the evaluation of IAQ together with physical evaluations. Future studies on the effect of using active vegetation systems instead of passive systems are recommended.@en

Our sensory system (nose) could predict the perceived odour intensity of various materials relatively well and in many cases the nose seems to be a better receptor of pollutants than some equipment. To test this ability with children, odour tests were performed as part of a study performed with 335 primary school children in the air quality test chamber of the SenseLab. Two similar experiments were conducted to assess the identification of potentially recognizable odours for children. The different sources of odour were placed in different containers and the children were asked how they feel about the smell and to identify the source of smell. There were statistically significant differences among children’s evaluations of different smells and it was difficult for them to identify certain sources of smell.@en

Vegetation systems in combination with biofiltration processes are emerging processes that are expected to have beneficial effects on the improvement of indoor air quality (IAQ). Common indoor plants may provide a valuable strategy to avoid rising levels of indoor air pollution. In an active vegetation system air cleaning rates may be significantly higher than in passive vegetation systems using active fan-assisted hydroponics technology, which draws the air through the root rhizomes of the plants. However, to evaluate the real effect of active green systems on IAQ it is important to create a reliable experimental setup and protocol regarding not only components of the prototype but also the methods for analysis and evaluation.@en

This paper reviews the state of art of vegetation systems and their effect on the indoor environmental quality (IEQ), based on scientific studies from the past 30 years. Some studies have shown that biophilic workspaces and interaction with plants may change human attitudes, behaviours, improve productivity and the overall well-being. Evapotranspiration from plants helps lowering the temperature around the planting environment and this can be utilised for air cooling and humidity control. Also, indoor greenery can be used to reduce sound levels as a passive acoustic insulation system. Living wall systems in combination with biofiltration are emerging technologies to provide beneficial effects on improvement of indoor comfort. Several studies have indicated that green systems may improve indoor air quality and that they have different pathways for pollutant removal of volatile organic compounds. The plant root zone in potted plants may be an effective area for removing volatile organic compounds under controlled conditions. In conclusion, the full capacity of plants in real-life settings will need to be clarified to establish the true pollutant-removal mechanisms and the general effect on IEQ. The effects of green systems in combination with mechanical elements such as conventional heating, ventilation and air conditioning would need to be studied.

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In hot and humid climates, for those that can afford it, air conditioning is a standard requirement and designers generally intend their buildings to include some sort of mechanical cooling system to achieve indoor comfort. Consequently, cooling or heating a building requires high-energy demands. The aim of this project was to develop an optional cooling tool based on the integration of a Living Wall System (LWS), a mechanical fan and a dehumidification process (desiccant) to reduce the use of an HVAC system. A prototype was built to evaluate its performance within a hot humid environment. The evapotranspiration from this living wall, the fan and the desiccant working together contributed to the lowering of temperatures around the planting environment. The study showed that it is possible to use the evapotranspiration of plants for air-cooling and humidity control.@en