Eco-Efficient Ventilated Facades Based on Circular Economy for Residential Buildings as an Improvement of Energy Conditions

Abstract

In a planet with limited resources, climate change is a severe problem, intensified by industrial development. This is particularly important in the construction sector. According to the International Energy Agency (2021), the construction sector is responsible for 40% of the global energy consumption and 36% of CO2 emissions. In this way, sustainable architectural solutions should be a priority in our fight against climate change, for it is necessary to propose solutions that help to reuse existing resources, thus reducing consumption. In this sense, the rehabilitation of buildings with solutions that favor the circular economy will become a key element in the construction sector. This work provides the design of a facade for building rehabilitation based on the circular economy paradigm, which is implanted in a model building as a case study. The HULC tool quantifies the improvement in energy efficiency that this rehabilitation entails when compared to a conventional facade. With the designed facade, a reduction in energy losses through the envelope is achieved, as well as an improvement in living conditions and environmental impact. Next, an analysis of the building’s energy consumption and CO2 emissions is carried out with the Open BIM Quantities tool. This tool is used by construction researchers and professionals. Finally, the results show the improvements in the rehabilitation of the facade.