Renovate buildings in order to improve energy efficiency
TES EnergyFacade is an international research project which has developed a method for renovating and modernizing buildings, improving the energy efficiency in buildings envelope, by using wood-framed prefabricated facade elements.
The challenge
Each activity in a construction process involves the consumption of resources that lead to greenhouse emissions, such as raw materials and energy use. By using an ecological and sustainable reconstruction method, unnecessary emissions can be reduced and thus the environmental impacts.
The innovation
TES EnergyFacade is a prefabricated timber building system for sustainable renovation and sustainable living. The innovative renovation method is based on an international research project in the faculties of engineering and architecture at Technical University of Munich (TUM). The project has 17 partners and is funded by a total of 12 SME partners in Finland, Germany and Norway (venture capital for development, demonstration and commercial exploitation). TES EnergyFacade provides tailored renovation and is mainly targeted at the renovation of buildings constructed from the 1950s to the 1980s, since they are in need of renovation. The method makes costs more predictable, project times shorter, and allows the building envelope to be upgraded with various types of facade materials. It also makes it possible to digitally systematize and optimize workflow in the renovation processes. The element involves measurement of the target building by photo or laser scanning. The measurement data is taken into a CAD/CAM system to produce 3D models.The models are used for designing and producing off-site prefabrication of components that can be used in the renovation and maintenance of buildings. The constructed components can be attached to the outside of the existing facade or when the exterior facade has been torn. By improving the building envelope, airtightness and heat transmission can be more efficient. Pilot projects have been undertaken in Finland, Germany and Norway, where school buildings were made more energy efficient and modernized by constructing and installing new facades with sufficient insulation. The projects are monitored to learn about the effects, behaviors and state of the construction after the modernization by installing the TES element.
Why did it work?
The renovation method improves airtightness in the building while reducing energy usage. The method also allows that residents can stay in the building during the renovation, which results in economic and social advantages. It also reduces noises compared to conventional renovation methods, which means that residents are not disturbed as much.
Further deployment
Since TES EnergyFacade is ready for a full scale deployment, the innovation is estimated to be 9 on the TRL scale.
Links:
The websiteThe Energy Facade brochureDownload the manual