Sustainable refurbishment in building technology

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this review article is to identify a number of key research efforts related to decision making tools in building refurbishment projects and selected energy efficiency efforts in the built environment. Following these findings a proposed research area with focus on energy in the building environment will be suggested for further investigation.

Design/methodology/approach

Through a multilateral review study, a number of major research efforts in sustainable refurbishment are highlighted. The necessity of directing future research towards energy conservation is illustrated for a specific approach to developing the built environment.

Findings

The findings of this article identify high performance thermal insulation solutions as one of the promising approaches to significant energy consumption reductions in buildings.

Research limitations/implications

This review study is solely limited to the revisited research directions.

Originality/value

This study successfully identifies a number of decision making tools related to building refurbishment and an initial research path in favor of building energy consumption reductions.

Citation

Gohardani, N. and Björk, F. (2012), "Sustainable refurbishment in building technology", Smart and Sustainable Built Environment, Vol. 1 No. 3, pp. 241-252. https://doi.org/10.1108/20466091211287128