Deep energy renovation of cultural heritage protected office building

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eMarketplace

Processes, Support

DESCRIPTION:

ChatGPT said:

Deep energy renovation of cultural heritage protected office buildings, as demonstrated by the GESA building project in Palma de Mallorca, is a comprehensive approach that significantly improves energy performance and sustainability while preserving the building’s historical and architectural value. It combines passive and active strategies—such as prefabricated ventilated façades with Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) and high-efficiency HVAC systems like ground-source heat pumps—with an integrated energy design process that respects heritage constraints. Key to this approach are tools like Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Life Cycle Costing (LCC), which guide decisions by evaluating environmental impact, embodied carbon, and long-term operational efficiency. The result is a low-carbon, energy-efficient building that meets modern indoor environmental quality standards and is ready for renewed occupancy, all while maintaining its cultural value and identity.

BUSINESS ROUTE

Target Users

Architects, Constructors, Landlords, Real-estate developers, Service providers, Social, public and cooperative housing providers, Tenants

VALUE

The proposed integrated energy design approach showcases the powerful added value of deep energy renovation in protected heritage office buildings by seamlessly combining historical preservation with cutting-edge sustainability. Through the use of prefabricated modular façade systems with integrated photovoltaic technology, the design delivers high energy efficiency and environmental performance while respecting the building’s original architectural character. By incorporating renewable energy into both opaque and transparent façade elements, the carbon footprint is significantly reduced without altering the building’s iconic appearance. The prefabrication process not only ensures construction precision and quality but also minimizes on-site disruption—making it a smart, efficient, and respectful solution for transforming heritage buildings into high-performing, future-ready assets.

APPLICATION

The proposed prefabricated modular façade solution is in an advanced stage of development and close to industrial rollout, offering a practical and efficient option for large-scale application. Its installation requires only standard construction skills, with certified photovoltaic technicians needed solely for the final connection of the solar components. Complementary technologies, such as ground-source heat pumps, are already commercially available, making the innovation lie in the smart integration of proven solutions through a holistic energy design approach. This strategy is guided by ambitious environmental targets while preserving the architectural heritage of the building. The tailored solutions used for the GESA building are not only ideal for retrofitting similar office buildings from the 1960s–70s in Mediterranean climates but also demonstrate how integrated energy design can be scaled and adapted to a wide range of renovation projects, combining performance, sustainability, and respect for cultural value.