A building design strategy based on passive strategies, low-carbon local materials, and climate-responsive construction to reduce energy demand and improve comfort. Natural ventilation, solar protection, and high thermal inertia help mitigate heat stress and adapt the building to changing climate conditions, while a simple, durable structural system enhances long-term performance. Together, these measures deliver a low-energy housing solution that is well integrated into its context and resilient to climate change.

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A two-step methodology that aims to select the cost-optimal solutions for retrofitting of buildings in large-scale renovation process (200-300 dwellings). From a set of different potential combinations of passive elements (e.g., adding different insulation materials with different thickness and/or windows) and active elements (e.g., heat pumps / multi-split air conditioning for heating, cooling and DHW and/or photovoltaics), the methodology helps to select the most appropriate combination considering the energy performance and economic parameters. The process aims to select solutions that achieve a 50% reduction in the energy demand and/or a significant improvement in the thermal comfort conditions. A detailed economic model is part of the methodology giving as a result the following outputs: investment costs deducting grants for each owner and life cycle global costs.

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The aftercooling concept is an innovative district heating substation for large multi-apartment buildings where the domestic hot water preparation and reheating of the circulation flows are decoupled and obtained in two separate heat exchangers connected in parallel. The primary return temperature flow from the circulation heat exchanger is further aftercooled by the space heating system before returning to the district heating network. The concept provides a reduced return temperature to the district heating network.

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