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Assessment of Sustainable Construction Measures in Building Refurbishment—Life Cycle Comparison of Conventional and Multi-Active Façade Systems in a Social Housing Complex

Author

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  • Stefan Sattler

    (Department of Civil Engineering and Natural Hazards, Institute of Structural Engineering, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, 1190 Vienna, Austria)

  • Doris Österreicher

    (Department of Landscape, Spatial and Infrastructure Sciences, Institute of Spatial Planning, Environmental Planning and Land Rearrangement, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, 1190 Vienna, Austria)

Abstract

Building refurbishment plays a key role in the de-carbonization of the European building stock. Whilst the renewal of the thermal envelope increases energy efficiency during the operational phase, the type of material is highly relevant for the overall environmental impact of the refurbishment. Expanded polystyrene (EPS) is most widely used for external thermal insulation systems but is also a material based on fossil resources. Thus, alternatives made from renewable raw materials must be more widely used in order to reach the climate goals. However, comparable data on long-term material effects over the life cycle are needed for developers and planners to make informed decisions. In a Viennese case study for the largest social housing property manager in Europe, two different façade systems have been analyzed to assess the overall environmental impact of the materials. In a comprehensive life cycle assessment, a Multi-Active Façade system based on recycled paper has been compared with a conventional external thermal insulation composite system (ETICS) using EPS. It shows that whilst the evaluation during the operational phase alone results in a similar ecological footprint of the ETICS, the analysis over the whole life cycle provides a clear positive indication for the novel Multi-Active Façade.

Suggested Citation

  • Stefan Sattler & Doris Österreicher, 2019. "Assessment of Sustainable Construction Measures in Building Refurbishment—Life Cycle Comparison of Conventional and Multi-Active Façade Systems in a Social Housing Complex," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(16), pages 1-22, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:16:p:4487-:d:258969
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Michael H. Mazor & John D. Mutton & David A. M. Russell & Gregory A. Keoleian, 2011. "Life Cycle Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction From Rigid Thermal Insulation Use in Buildings," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 15(2), pages 284-299, April.
    2. Aditya, L. & Mahlia, T.M.I. & Rismanchi, B. & Ng, H.M. & Hasan, M.H. & Metselaar, H.S.C. & Muraza, Oki & Aditiya, H.B., 2017. "A review on insulation materials for energy conservation in buildings," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 1352-1365.
    3. Jozef Mitterpach & Emília Hroncová & Juraj Ladomerský & Jozef Štefko, 2016. "Quantification of Improvement in Environmental Quality for Old Residential Buildings Using Life Cycle Assessment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(12), pages 1-12, December.
    4. Belussi, Lorenzo & Mariotto, Matteo & Meroni, Italo & Zevi, Chiara & Svaldi, Sandra Dei, 2015. "LCA study and testing of a photovoltaic ceramic tile prototype," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 74(C), pages 263-270.
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    Cited by:

    1. Jacek Michalak & Sebastian Czernik & Marta Marcinek & Bartosz Michałowski, 2020. "Environmental burdens of External Thermal Insulation Systems. Expanded Polystyrene vs. Mineral Wool: Case Study from Poland," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-16, June.
    2. Alena Tažiková & Zuzana Struková & Mária Kozlovská, 2021. "The Analysis of Small Investors’ Demands on a Thermal Insulation System for a Family House: A Case Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-16, February.
    3. Sebastian Czernik & Marta Marcinek & Bartosz Michałowski & Michał Piasecki & Justyna Tomaszewska & Jacek Michalak, 2020. "Environmental Footprint of Cementitious Adhesives—Components of ETICS," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(21), pages 1-13, October.

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