ZEMCH 2015 - International Conference Proceedings | Page 576
3. Research methods
The specific façade solution proposed in this paper is developed according to the scientific protocol constituting the innovative design process represented by the following four phases, where
theory is indissolubly related to practice.
1. Firstly the study necessarily requires the acquisition of a selected repertory of typological and
constructive envelope systems, as a starting point for the development of design solutions
to be used for renovation of recent buildings, built after the Second World War, in reinforced
concrete or in masonry.
2. After the analysis of the actual envelope systems, the design of an innovative “active” façade
solution is conduced, according to research paradigms and current regulations, in order to
obtain a new envelope with energy efficient properties and architectural-aesthetic qualities.
Parametric programming software (e.g. Rhinoceros+Grasshopper) are used during the integrated process to fetch input data from the geometric survey of the existing building and then to
model a new envelope surface adaptable to its morphology.
3. Once conceived, the mechanical and thermal analysis of the solution proposed is envisaged,
through the implementation of tests and simulations on virtual models obtained by the use
of specific parametric software, mostly based on the finite element method (e.g. Cast3M 2000,
Wolfram Mathematica, DesignBuilder+EnergyPlus, etc). The characteristics of the innovative
material constituting the new envelope are defined through the direct exploitation of AAM
products (plasters and panels) with different chemical formulations.
4. Finally, the research project is completed by the constructive experimentation finalized to reproduce to scale prototypes on which to perform tests to verify installation techniques and
performance requirements. Only comparison between theoretical and experimental results
could lead to the validation of the construction system proposed.
4. State of the art
The research aims to present a new integrated approach to support operators and designers during the whole design process in the refurbishment interventions of the recent existing building
stock, through the use of innovative and sustainable continuous envelope solutions that could
guarantee high-energy performance.
The project identifies a sustainable design process to direct the renovation interventions as a
whole, with the support of 3D Laser Scanner for geometry documentation, connected to parametric programming software for modelling surfaces, which can be adapted to the morphology
of existing buildings. These computerized CAD-CAM tools are connected to CNC machines for the
“customized” industrialized production.
The result of this innovative approach consists in a model of building envelope solution, designed
coherently with the research paradigms and the principles of sustainability, meant as modularity,
speed of setup, reversibility and recycling of materials with low environmental impact. Among
the generable solutions in line with this model, the paper presents a specific innovative solution
based on the dry assembly technique of prefabricated components, the adoption of hexagonal
patterns for the tessellation of new façade surface and the use of a new plastic and inorganic,
recycled and sustainable, thermal insulation material2 (Mazzoli 2015).
2 The design solution was developed within the PhD work thesis carried out by Cecilia Mazzoli, directed by Professor
Riccardo Gulli, at the University of Bologna (Italy) in co-direction with the University of Paris-East (France), presented
in June 2015. In this field, the proposed envelope system is tackled according to the same scientific protocol: design of
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ZEMCH 2015 | International Conference | Bari - Lecce, Italy