Innovative design tools for sustainable refurbishment of large building complexes

The increase of energy costs will justify in the next future major investments on the refurbishment of existing building stock. Most of buildings built after the Second World War in Italy need cost-effective refurbishment measures considering both energy efficiency and improvement of architectural features. The paper shows the results of a research project carried out at Politecnico di Milano aiming at the definition of a simple and useful design tool supporting decision makers. It points out different options and levels for refurbishment, in terms of type, value and quality. Beginning from the observation of transformation processes in the northern region, different strategies of refurbishment are considered adopting traditional or new technologies and low environmental impact materials. Holistic design issues supported the analys of existing buildings, addressing architectural, technical and morphological characteristics. Reversible, light and flexible criteria pervade the identification of design strategies aiming at transformation of existing building stock according to changing housing demand.