In the sun-drenched region of Calabria, Southern Italy, a groundbreaking project is breathing new life into the past, with implications that could reshape the future of the energy sector. Researchers from the University of Calabria, led by Francesco Spada, are delving into the rich history of prefabricated buildings from the 1970s, armed with cutting-edge technology and a mission to revitalize these structures for a more sustainable tomorrow.
The project, funded by the European Union’s Next Generation EU initiative, focuses on the knowledge, monitoring, and requalification of light prefabricated buildings in Calabria and Lazio. The case study at hand is a public housing complex in Cosenza, constructed in the 1970s. This complex, like many others of its time, was built using prefabricated elements, a testament to the industrial advancements of the era.
Spada and his team began their work by meticulously analyzing historical documents, piecing together the puzzle of the building’s past. “We started with the archives,” Spada explains, “connecting the three-dimensional visualization of the building to these historical sources. It’s like giving the building a voice, allowing it to tell its own story.”
The team then developed a Historical Building Information Modeling (HBIM) model, a digital twin of the building that integrates historical data with contemporary technology. This model serves as a powerful tool for understanding the building’s current state and planning its future. “The HBIM model allows us to conduct a reverse investigation,” Spada says, “increasing our level of information on the various parts of the building. It’s a bridge between the past and the present, a way to honor the building’s technical value while preparing it for the future.”
The future, in this case, is all about energy efficiency. The team conducted an energy analysis of the building, identifying areas where improvements could be made. The results of this analysis are outlined in a way that respects the building’s history while pushing it towards a more sustainable future. This includes solutions for plant updating and energy saving, a crucial step in the fight against climate change.
The implications of this research are vast. As the world grapples with the challenges of climate change, the need for energy-efficient buildings has never been greater. This project demonstrates that even buildings from the 1970s, constructed using prefabricated elements, can be retrofitted to meet modern energy standards. This could open up a whole new market for the energy sector, as buildings across the globe are retrofitted to reduce their carbon footprint.
Moreover, the use of HBIM in this project highlights the potential of this technology in the construction industry. As Spada puts it, “The industrialized built heritage, even when combined with parts built on site, matches contemporary digital tools.” This suggests that HBIM could become a standard tool in the construction industry, used not just for new builds, but also for the retrofitting of existing structures.
The research was published in Vitruvio: International Journal of Architectural Technology and Sustainability, a testament to its significance in the field. The journal’s name is a nod to the ancient Roman architect Vitruvius, a fitting tribute to a project that bridges the past and the future.
As the world looks towards a more sustainable future, projects like this one offer a glimpse into what that future might look like. By honoring the past while embracing the future, Spada and his team are paving the way for a more sustainable, energy-efficient world. The energy sector would do well to take note, as the buildings of the past could hold the key to a greener future.