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Evaluation of Environmental and Economic Sustainability for the Building Envelope of Low-Carbon Schools

Author

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  • Frida Bazzocchi

    (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy)

  • Cecilia Ciacci

    (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy)

  • Vincenzo Di Naso

    (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy)

Abstract

To achieve a carbon-free economy by 2050, the construction of low-carbon schools in Italy must select the proper structural and technological solutions for the building envelope while ensuring a low economic cost. The aim of this study was to analyze and compare several technological solutions for the building envelope and the related structural solutions in terms of thermo-dynamic properties, energy performance, environmental sustainability parameters, and economic evaluations, to obtain one or more alternatives. After a general study, the binomial load-bearing structure–external wall was investigated given its strong influence on both the environment and the total cost. The solutions were used in a new typological model for the kindergarten. All the solutions are comparable from an energy and environmental point of view, obtaining a primary energy demand of <25 kWh/(m 2 year) and an environmental impact of <20 kWh/(m 2 year). However, considering the economic factor and analyzing the binomial load-bearing structure–external wall, the advisable solutions are those that use wooden structures with insulation layer in wood fiber as they have a significantly lower environmental impact, along with the same good energy performance and have an acceptable cost compared to other analyzed solutions.

Suggested Citation

  • Frida Bazzocchi & Cecilia Ciacci & Vincenzo Di Naso, 2021. "Evaluation of Environmental and Economic Sustainability for the Building Envelope of Low-Carbon Schools," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-22, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:4:p:1702-:d:493729
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Francesco Asdrubali & Luca Evangelisti & Claudia Guattari & Marta Roncone & Daniele Milone, 2023. "Experimental Analysis of the Thermal Performance of Wood Fiber Insulating Panels," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-22, January.
    2. Han Yang & Koki Kikuta & Motoya Hayashi, 2022. "Research on Carbon Reduction of Residential Buildings in Severe Cold Regions Based on Renovation of Envelopes," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-19, March.
    3. Ana Rosa Gamarra & Carmen Lago & Israel Herrera-Orozco & Yolanda Lechón & Susana Marta Almeida & Joana Lage & Filipe Silva, 2021. "Low-Carbon Economy in Schools: Environmental Footprint and Associated Externalities of Five Schools in Southwestern Europe," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-20, September.

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