Among the super insulating materials, aerogel has interesting properties: very low thermal conductivity and density, resistance to high temperatures and transparency. It is a rather expensive material, but incentives in the field can improve its economic attractiveness. Starting from this, the thermal behavior of a test building entirely insulated with aerogel panels was investigated through an extended experimental campaign. A dynamic simulation model of a case study building was generated to better comprehend the energy savings obtained through aerogel in terms of energy demand over a whole year. The investigation was completed by computing the carbon and energy payback times of various retrofit strategies through a life cycle assessment approach, as well as by a cost-benefit analysis through a probabilistic financial framework. Compared to conventional insulation materials, aerogel is characterized by a higher energy and carbon payback time, but it guarantees better environmental performance in the whole life cycle. From an economic-financial perspective, the aerogel retrofit is the best in the current tax incentive scenario. However, due to its higher lump-sum investment, aerogel’s net present value is very sensitive to tax deductions, and it is riskier than the best comparable materials in less favorable tax scenarios.

Climate change (CC) is predominantly connected to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the construction sector. It is clear how it is necessary to rethink construction materials in order to reduce GHG emissions. Among the various strategies proposed, recent research has investigated the potential of smart materials. This study in particular aims to develop an innovative building component that combines high energy performance with reduced thickness and weight. For this reason, the potential of Phase Change Materials (PCM) in cement-based mixes is investigated, comparing the performance of a traditional mix with two innovative mixes made with the addition of 3% and 7% PCM. This work characterizes the new material, analyzing its mechanical and thermal performance, highlighting how the mix strength decreases as the PCM ratio increases; however, both mixes may be considered suitable for masonry structures and may be classified as M5 and M15. Furthermore, from the analysis of the thermal performance, it emerges that the mix presents good behavior in terms of insulating properties.

Public space, understood as the system of open urban spaces, is assuming an increasingly important role in environmental redevelopment processes. Recent experiences show how it is possible to rethink resilient cities, addressing some of the urban issues behind the deterioration of the territory in which we live, starting by upgrading public space. Based on these assumptions, our research investigates the potential of open space as an environment in which adaptation and mitigation measures can be adopted. The research was conducted on a case study, developed using simulation models (Envi-met, SWMM) and compared scenarios using different innovative technology systems.

According to the previsions of Paris Agreement 2015, several Green Strategies (GS) can be implemented to control and reduce the GHG emissions due to the building sector and construction industries. The paper presents the first results of a research in progress that aims to evaluate the capability of GS in GHG reduction into the construction industries. In particular, the work, based on LCA methodology, compares different GS applied for the production of a concrete self-locking blocks for outdoor pavement (COP) and underlines the general capability in reducing the GHG emission of the green strategies applied.

Demolition-reconstruction interventions and deep renovation interventions are the main strategies implemented with the aim of adapting the existing residential heritage. In particular, the deep renovation interventions are at the centre of a cultural debate, as evidenced by the research carried out on large modernist peripheral settlements. In this context, it is interesting to investigate how this approach can be applied to those historic urban tissues and smaller centres that strongly characterise the Italian and European territory. Starting from the analysis of several case studies identified in the Belgian context, the work codifies archetypes of intervention on technological units and analyses their limits and potential of application to the Italian context with the aim of opening a debate between conservation approaches and adaptation approaches.

Time acts as a fundamental variable of urban transformation. In fact, changing needs can make an architecture or a technological unit obsolete over time. Precisely, this unexpected deficiency in performance can no longer be interpreted as a limitation but rather as potential to update the architecture itself. This paper fits into this framework and investigates both the potential and limitations of architecture considered an upgradeable system in which time, and the need for changes, become a variable of transformation. By analysing a case study and possible updating strategies relative to a renewed demand framework, the paper underlines the potential that modern architecture offers in terms of updating.