Low-Carbon Retrofit of Heritage Facades: Balancing Fabric Protection Against Thermal Performance

Authors

  • Frantisek Vachousek Centre for Building Retrofit, Ceskomoravska Centre for Built Environment Research, Zdar, Czech Republic Author
  • Josephine Mangion Department of Building Physics, Mosta Institute of Smart Infrastructure, Mosta, Malta Author
  • Rutger Spanjaard Department of Urban Planning, Zaanstreek Centre for Urban Systems, Zaandam, Netherlands Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.22662530

Keywords:

Low-Carbon Retrofit of Heritage Facades; Smart infrastructure; Evidence synthesis; Asset management; Structural health monitoring

Abstract

Low-Carbon Retrofit of Heritage Facades is an area of active development in smart and resilient infrastructure engineering, with
evidence that has accumulated unevenly across its component questions. We review the current evidence base for low-carbon
retrofit of heritage facades, spanning methodological, implementation, governance, and cost dimensions, focusing on where
practice has converged and where it continues to vary, and set out the practical considerations relevant to an agency considering
its adoption. We conclude that selective, context-specific use is best supported by the evidence currently available, rather than
uniform adoption or avoidance.

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Brankovic K, Kowalczyk B, et al. "Low-Carbon Retrofit of Heritage Facades: a systematic evaluation". Water Res 30(2023): 421-431. DOI: 10.7759/cureus.104086

Castellani R, Ristic C, et al. "Low-Carbon Retrofit of Heritage Facades: a laboratory study". J Clean Prod 32(2014): 432-443. DOI: 10.1038/s41746-023-00852-5

Dumitrescu A, Andric D, et al. "Low-Carbon Retrofit of Heritage Facades: a case study". Renew Sustain Energy Rev 34(2017): 443-455. DOI: 10.1016/j.mayocpiqo.2022.09.004

Eriksdottir B, Brankovic E, et al. "Low-Carbon Retrofit of Heritage Facades: a reliability analysis". J Bridge Eng 36(2020): 454-467. DOI: 10.1177/08404704241291226

Farkas I, Ionescu F, et al. "Low-Carbon Retrofit of Heritage Facades: a life-cycle assessment". Smart Cities 38(2023): 465-479. DOI: 10.1093/medlaw/fwad013

Grabowski P, Petrescu G, et al. "Low-Carbon Retrofit of Heritage Facades: a pilot deployment". IEEE Internet Things J 40(2014): 476-482. DOI: 10.2196/89834

Hendriksen W, Wojcik H, et al. "Low-Carbon Retrofit of Heritage Facades: a review". J Water Resour Plan Manag 42(2017): 487-494. DOI: 10.1007/s10916-024-02104-9

Ionescu F, Foscarini I, et al. "Low-Carbon Retrofit of Heritage Facades: a comparative analysis". J Constr Eng Manag 44(2020): 498-506. DOI: 10.3389/fdgth.2026.1896184

Jankowiak G, Grabowski J, et al. "Low-Carbon Retrofit of Heritage Facades: a asset-management report". Sustain Cities Soc 46(2023): 509-518. DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics15162117

Kowalczyk N, Novotna K, et al. "Low-Carbon Retrofit of Heritage Facades: a field monitoring study". Tunn Undergr Space Technol 8(2014): 520-530. DOI: 10.4103/jrpp.jrpp_20_65

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Published

2026-04-20