Green living technologies in sustainable refurbishment strategies

The aim of this research is to study the limits and the benefits deriving from the application of a “green surface” in a refurbishment action on existing buildings. Requalification processes are often related to sustainable issues as energy and water saving: the introduction of plant technologies on roofs and facades can produce an increase of performance in buildings’ envelopes and positive effects on indoor comfort. A green shading can have positive impacts on energetic balance of a building. Furthermore a green roof can be considered a strategic solution for retaining and reusing rainwater. The methodology used is composed of different steps concerning “green technologies” analysis and refurbishment strategies as well. Theoretic analyses are compared to some studies investigating the contribution of plant surfaces in the reduction of thermal impacts on walls and roofs. In the same time a cost/benefit analysis is led to assess the feasibility of the “green strategy” in a requalification action. Durability of the different technological solutions adopted is specifically investigated in order to have a life prediction comparable to the expected lifespan of the renewed building. Maintenance activity is assessed too. As a result, on the one hand the application of a “green strategy” doesn’t bring to a critical increasing of costs, on the other hand it implies positive factors in the energetic balance of the intervention. As it is underlined by the results of the studies the implementation of the building envelope through plant technologies can be considered, especially in dense urban areas, a suitable solution to offer a green answer to refurbishment action demand.