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but also in operational tools: adjustments will be necessary in areas such as financing structure, public procurement, education and marketing. It seems clear that the assumption underlying any action plan need to be aware of the typological and constructive characteristics and the energy consumption of 12.5 million buildings. In this perspective it is not enough to operate on individual buildings, but we must extend the upgrading operation to entire neighbourhoods and historical compounds as smaller towns and hamlets. In particular, CRESME [6] estimated that in Italy 1650 municipalities will be at "risk of extinction" in 20162. In line with the prescriptions of the network HerO – Heritage as Opportunity [7], it is necessary to facilitate the right balance between the preservation of built cultural heritage and the sustainable, future-proof socio-economic development of historic towns, as a resource to be valued at ground zero consumption.

General goals and methodology The urban fabric of minors historic centres should be reinterpreted as a living organisms that operate at macro-scale (the historical centre and the urban fabric) and micro-scale (the artefact in the process of conservation and refurbishment). Minor historical centres and hamlets are called to change their conformation and configuration in a tight relationship between history, culture and technology, through processes of development that are not only a series of measures aimed at raising the economic value of land and buildings, but at pursuing broader goals of architectural, energy, social, economic and cultural redevelopment and revitalization of the urban context to which they refer. To ensure that the process is not reduced to simple operations of real estate development, building restoration or urban make-up, it is necessary not only to leverage on existing resources and potential, but also to respond to the deficiencies of the urban fabric and to the demands of the socio-economic context. Moreover, it is critical to search for transformation patterns, that can be traced to two models of intervention: the first relates to the sphere of the purely "technological", meaning all matters relating to the conservation of places and/or artefacts with innovative and environmentally sustainable techniques and approaches to refurbishment; the second concerns the transformation processes that attempt to re-interpret the local historical and cultural contexts, renovated to attract new activities and interests. The so-called ecological metabolism [8] of historical buildings, meaning the passive behaviour and energy efficiency of traditional building systems, has often been underestimated or altered through time by an improper technological implementation. The approach of this research is to highlight peculiar bioclimatic characters of the building typology and work for the restoration and enhancement of such systems through passive solutions and innovative technologies. We seek to identify the additional identities [9] (result of the building and district’s evolution) and to assess whether they act as positive contributors to the district’s correct functioning or invalidate its original passive behaviour. Staying in line with the principle of minimum intervention [10] on significant buildings, a correct use of most recent technologies for energy refurbishment provides non-invasive solutions that can be implemented with little or no significant impact on the overall

2 Regarding the Italian situation, the national report “Riuso032” (CRESME) states that in from 2006 to 2013, the national cost for building renovation was around 115 million euros, against the 51bil for new construction.

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appearance of the building while increasing its energy efficiency and assuring thermo-hygrometric, visual, and acoustic comfort, towards compatibility and reversibility. In a low energy approach, innovation that involves passive systems has to be fostered3. In order to respect these principles and formulate strategies for the existing structures [11], we outlined three intervention scenarios that express the level of respect/alteration of the historical-morpho-technological character and the fulfillment of performance requirements regulations for new uses of the buildings:

a) A soft refurbishment scenario, that includes operations that do not significantly alter the overall external appearance of the complex and introduce essential interventions for the enhancement of the energy performance and indoor comfort of the buildings.

b) An intermediate refurbishment scenario, that includes operations that slightly alter the external appearance of the complex, sacrificing additional identities or elements that have been altered over time, and can no longer be considered as essential parts of the original building. This scenario includes both essential and advantageous interventions.

c) A hard refurbishment scenario, that includes invasive operations the external appearance of the complex on determined elements designated as expendable, with possible volumetric modifications for the optimization of energy gains and minimization of losses with the use of essential, advantageous and recommended interventions.

Application on the pilot project The study for the Rehabilitation of “Le Pagliare”, the rural area of the small hamlet of Opi4 (Im1), located in the core of the National Parc of Lazio, Abruzzo and Molise in central Italy, aims at identifying the tools and verifying the feasibility of the transformation of the rural complex in a touristic-didactic attraction that will maintain the original productive nature of the complex. The buildings that housed the former stables are connected by a dense network of multiscalar relationships that need to be valorized to promote a socio-economic development, facilitated by the great natural value and sports tradition of the area5.

In accordance with the historical-architectural value of the buildings, we mean to: assign new predominant functions to specific divisions of buildings, for a synchronic use of indoor-outdoor spaces and the enhancement of facilities management and bio-climatic performances; operate a typo-technological innovation, rethink models for traditional spaces in terms of use, management and equipment; recover and upgrade the original morphology where altered and protect emblematic details; achieve energy efficiency, thermo-hygrometric and psycho-

3 Minimum intervention: to preserve the maximum of the historic fabric and the significance which it embodies - Compatibility: all changes should use materials and techniques compatible with the historic fabric - Reversibility: unavoidable changes that may be detrimental to the significance of a building should be fully reversible, whenever possible. 4 The Municipality of Opi (AQ) is located on a hill in the upland of Alta Valle del Sangro, at 1150 m above the sea level, surrounded by montains reaching almost 2300 m. The hamlet probably founded in the Middle Ages is included in the list of the most beautiful hamlets of Italy and has a population of 441 inhabitants. The climate is particularly cold with an average temperature of 16,3°C in July and -0.8°C in January (climate zone F). 5 The iconic complex consists of 10 structures built in the XVIII century to host farming activities, with a great historical and architectural value in state of decay The construction type, narrow units with small and few openings, hosting stables on the ground level and barns in the upper floor, are perfectly suitable for farming but challenging for transformation.

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perceptive comfort. The methodology of interventions is based on a qualitative – quantitative analysis of the de facto situation [9] [12], that will point out:

1) Territorial factors to determine the socio-economic success of the renovation project. 2) Morpho-techno-typological factors to determine the transformation feasibility,

simultaneously considering 4 subjects /issues: i. The aggregate system. The high concentration or the isolate position of

buildings is a fundamental parameter for the comprehension of the fabric’s behaviour within environmental conditions;

ii. Techno-morphological characteristics allow to recreate the shape and the spatial organization of buildings, degradation level, materials and technologies of its components interfering on the energy behaviour of the structures;

iii. Uses. If the calculation directives consider the use of spaces for their energy requirements, in vacant buildings it is necessary to consider the pre-existing and foresee use in transformations.

iv. Plant Systems. When facing structures lacking such systems (as in our case), it is important to identify historical remains of their original passive operation, or the elements that, despite their original role, can be transformed in this sense.

The observation gathered in the first qualitative analysis have to be framed with the historic energy consumption data or analytic/simulative surveys when not available.

Output: Functional Refurbishment and Energy Retrofit Scenarios In order to define the refurbishment scenarios, we need to determine the adaptability to transformation of existing constructions, according to indicators relating to:

-­‐ Uniformity of current use for indoor and in-between spaces allows to identify uniform divisions and reduces the need for displacements;

-­‐ Accessibility and proximity to roads influences the regulation of users/workers pedestrian or vehicular access, parking, load/unload cycles;

Im1_The hamlet of Opi and the rural area “Le Pagliare” Im2_New functional asset of the area with a highlight on economic and social foreseen improvements. New destinations will be: agribusiness, production and craft area, pedagogical area, management area, hiking and sports centre, museum area, accommodation area and technological-research area.

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-­‐ Alteration of original characteristics enables to operate consistent transformations over buildings, if it does not compromise the overall historical value of the district;

-­‐ Requirements adaptability states the aptitude of the construction to positively respond to prescriptive requirements in the change of use. That includes safety, hygiene and healthiness of indoor spaces requirements;

-­‐ Dimensions adaptability. The fragmentation, distribution and dimensions of indoor spaces affects the kind of new functions that can be installed.

Within this framework we’ll be able to define the new functional asset of the project area and define the technological upgrade that need to be carried on the buildings in order to actualize the transformation (Im2).

For the elaboration of energy and technological upgrading scenarios is necessary to recreate a plausible microclimatic comfort conditions and building energy performances by measurements and simulations.

The simulation on a wide scale with Envimet and Ecotect for natural ventilation and solar radiation shows that the mountain ring surrounding Opi valley causes a scarce degree of solar radiation in the NW side of the complex, slow down and channel the ventilation of the valley, mostly coming parallel to the longitudinal side of buildings (SE), and create

Im3_Ecotect Daily Sun Path and Envimet Wind Speed and Direction Analysis on the 21st of Decemeber Im4_Energy Plus results on indoor ventilation (21st of June) show the wind speed: the air circulation (in red the 0,2 m/s zone with input wind at 0,35 m/s) mainly covers the half of each level in correspondence to the openings, leaving the other two halves isolated from ventilation. Im5_Relux Analysis results (21st of June) show that, due to the small dimension of openings, even in best outdoor lightning situation indoor natural lightning is insufficient and need to be enhanced.

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ascendant/descendant ventilation phenomenon (Im3). The small dimension of openings and the geometric conformation of units negatively influence both natural lightning and ventilation, as verified with a computational fluid-dynamic simulation with Energy Plus (Im4) and the calculation of the daylight factor with Relux (ƞ<1) (Im5). The thermal measurements on the building’s envelope were influenced by the peculiarity of technologies (lacking heating systems, with a massive envelope in local stones and wooden/tiles roofs without insulation,) and use (mostly staples) and difficulty of access to all structures6.

Therefore, the thermal performance of the enveloped had to be analysed with Ecotect and thermal-imaging with TEMA. Finally, a hypothetical energy certification with DOCET7 shows a good summer behaviour of the buildings, but a very low general energy performance: 580 kWh/m2a energy consumption and 8,3kgCO2/m2a of CO2 emissions (G class).

6 Because of the lack of heating systems, the thermal imaging had to be effectuated with the endogenous heat produced by animals in the staples during the night as the sole internal source of heating. The presence of animals prevented the use of probes for the definition of wall’s internal temperature. Im6_Thermal analysis through Ecotect simulations and Testo thermo-imagining. The thick stone walls reach a good thermal resistance even without an insulation layer, with a ∆T that can reach 10°C. 7 National regulation: DL 63 del 05 Giugno 2013 e successiva circolare n.12976 del 25 giugno 2013 – Ministero dello Sviluppo Economico; Norme Tecniche UNI TS 11300.

Im8a_In the softer scenario, natural ventilation and lightning is managed trough the opening of the upper part of the door elements to grant a natural crossed ventilation and the integration in the existing straw passage of solar-tubes. Windows extension is admissible if it respects original proportions and technique. Im8b_In the intermediate scenario natural lightning and ventilation is manage through the elevation of the roof line (gaining height), openings, lightshelves and glazed cuts on the intermediate floor. Buttress will have the double aim of reinforcing the structure and act as wind wall, diverting wind direction inside the building. Im8c_The hardest scenario completely reshape the roof line to improve light and wind grabbing. The glazed roof opening cooperate with thermal mass for heat stocking. The existing straw passage is used to increase ventilation in association with wind panels that direct the wind flow. Photovoltaic panels are recommended only in the south-west side of the area, the one with the highest percentage of yearly sun exposure.

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In order to enhance passive performance for summer cooling, to enhance the overall energy performance of the building for thermal energy consumption and CO2 emissions, and to comply with regulation for daylight lightning (EN12464), it will be necessary to operate strategies according to the three scenarios of intervention (Im8 a, b, c). All of the three scenarios will be focusing on thermal insulation cooperating with wall thermal mass to mitigate winter temperatures. The choice of operating a continuous inner insulation coating is meant to respect the historical and aesthetical value of outer envelope8. Also, window frames and glazes will be replaced with high performing solutions in terms of thermal insulation, air tightness and transparency, coherent with the original materials finishing (wood). The installation of a biomass plant, fuelled by agricultural and wood manufacturing wastes, will produce hot water and centrally heating, to be distributed through serpentines under floor heating. Floors will be completely rebuild, in order to allow the insertion of ventilated under floor systems to prevent moisture problems.

Conclusions In conclusion, renovation is meant not as simple protection and preservation of assets and resources, but as an action based on a general process of architectural, energy, social and economic revitalization. In the absence of a national specific regulation on energy upgrading of the built heritage, operational scenarios might require new arrangements with the current conservative regulations to carry out in partnership with local and regional authorities. To assess the feasibility of the intervention, it will be necessary to verify the willingness of owners to participate, with local assembly to discuss the transformation. Further modelling and simulations will define the best scenario for energy efficiency, adaptability, transformation and financial sustainability for the implementation of the project.

References [1] European Union, European Commission, Directorate-General for Research and Innovation (2012) Cultural heritage research: survey and outcomes of projects within the environment theme: from 5th to 7th Framework programme. Luxembourg. EUR-OP. [2] European Commission (2006) Thematic Strategy on the Urban Environment. Bruxelles. Office for Official Publications of the European Communities. [3] Owen, L.J., Sadhbh, N.H. (2013) Building energy efficiency in european cities. URBACT. [4] 3encult (2011) Report on demand analysis and historic building classification 2011. [5] New4Old (2009) Technical guidelines for building designers [6] CRESCME (2013) XXI Rapporto congiunturale e previsionale Cresme il mercato delle costruzioni 2013-2017. Rome. CRESME. [7] HerO (2011) Heritage as Opportunity. ‘The Road to Success’ Integrated Management of Historic Towns GUIDEBOOK, Regensburg. Stadt Regensburg (available online at www.urbact.eu/hero) [8] Davoli, P.M. ed. (2010), Il Recupero Energetico Ambientale del Costruito. Santarcangelo di Romagna. Maggioli Editore. [9] Di Blasi, O., (2011) Progettare la modernità sulla preesistenza. In Malighetti, L. E., Recupero edilizio. Strategie per il riuso e tecnologie costruttive. Milano. Il Sole 24 ore S.p.A. [10] Carbonara? Atlante del restauro? [11] Cecchini, C., Cimini, S., Morleo, R. M. (2014) Strategic scenarios in energy-environmental refurbishment of the historic massive building stock. Historical and Existing Buildings: Designing the Retrofit. An overviwe from energy performances to indoor air quality. Rome. AICARR. [12] Battisti, A. (2010) Strategie sostenibili per il retrofitting degli edifici storici. Rivista Antincendio, Atti del Forum di Prevenzione Incendi (Milano, 19 ottobre 2010)

8 Instead of using a traditional polymeric coating material (that will obstruct the natural functioning of thermal mass in day-night cycle), we’d chosen to use a 6cm layer of earthen plaster and wood fibres, will cooperate with thermal mass for thermal flow modulation and air quality control.