The human-nature connection should be a key component in the design of supportive and comfortable indoor environments. An interest introducing Nature Based Solutions via Biophilic Design (BD) intervention recently emerged. Related benefits for work efficiency have been identified lab-studies without possibility to perform preliminary assessments. Recently, VR has adopted thanks its advantages data collection highly realistic To date, most research on BD focused visual with nature even if...

The use of Virtual Reality (VR) to enhance research in the building sector is currently emerging, but validation studies are still limited. This work aims provide a contribution VR on comfort, productivity, and adaptive behaviour offices. 104 participants performed one test session real or virtual room, three cognitive tasks surveys (on immersivity, cybersickness, intention interaction). process was addressed by evaluating adequacy representing real-life scenarios benchmark results. Findings...

The use of Virtual Reality (VR) to assess comfort, productivity, and behaviour in built environments is currently emerging. However, an effective standardised methodology support researchers performing VR tests collect reliable data lacking. Thus, the study aims develop a novel comprehensive experimental framework for organising application this research domain, based on five validity types: content, internal, face, ecological, criterion validity. To illustrate its suitability applicability,...

Among the major sources of disturbance in offices, noise and poor acoustics consistently rank at top. Moreover, positive impact which connecting with nature has on individuals is well-documented, yet still not investigated in-depth terms office soundscapes. In present study, a methodology using Virtual Reality (VR) technology employed to analyse benefits Biophilic Design interventions spaces. Notably, study investigates independent interaction effects audio-visual connection 1) soundscape,...

Effective resource allocation for architectural heritage conservation requires reliable and up-to-date data to support proper decision-making. This paper proposes a novel methodology the integration of reviews continuously generated by users with expert evaluations aimed at supporting decision-makers, which are based on periodic but infrequent site inspections often fail capture ongoing issues. study utilises Natural Language Processing (NLP) Aspect-Based Sentiment Analysis (ABSA) improve...

Many countries, for aesthetic purposes, offer economic advantages (tax deductions, incentives, etc..) the installation of building integrated photovoltaic modules (BIPV), with water-tightness capability and adequate mechanical resistance in order to substitute tile covering or part it. Nevertheless, poor absent ventilation under BIPV panels could cause them overheat reduce their efficiency. It is well established that presence an air gap between a (PV) module roof facilitates cooling device...

AbstractThe effectiveness of cool and green roofs to improve thermal comfort could be strongly dependent on the U-value roof itself way it has been constructed (ventilated or unventilated, lightweight massive, etc.). Recent strict limits U-values building envelopes run risk reducing cooling strategies in which employed warm temperate climates reduce surface temperatures consequently internal environment. In this paper, we experimentally analyse some systems (a high-albedo membrane a roof)...

Green building design and architecture have become widespread tenets in the development of sustainable buildings. In this context, use materials awareness resource/energy consumption are strategic aspects to consider for improvement performances. This paper presents a new structured approach address uncertainty sensitivity analysis Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) support decision-making process renovation. “probabilistic” LCA allows obtaining results expressed as ranges environmental impacts...

During the last decades, virtual reality (VR) has been devoted to supporting research in architecture, engineering, and construction sectors because of its ability provide multisensory three-dimensional (3D) environments. However, use immersive environments (IVEs) design built environment is still infancy, it limited visually designed spaces. In addition, a fundamental challenge lies improving sense hearing. The effective simulation with an overall realistic perception will support designers...

Energy saving is a major policy objective worldwide and in the EU particular. Evaluating convenience of energy-efficient investments, however, complex. This paper aims to apply stochastic Life Cycle Costing assess economic value building retrofitting investments. The proposed approach investigates how macroeconomic variables affect such an evaluation by explicitly taking into account their interdependent nature. Consequently, investment itself thus expressing both its expected inherent...

Internal insulation is a typical renovation solution in historic buildings with valuable façades. However, it entails moisture-related risks, which affect the durability and life-cycle environmental performance. In this context, EU project RIBuild developed risk assessment method for both hygrothermal performance of internal insulation, to support decision-making. This paper presents stochastic Life Cycle Assessment developed, couples LCA model Monte-Carlo simulation, providing results...

Pump-As-Turbine (PAT) technology is a smart solution to produce energy in sustainable way at small scale, e.g., through its exploitation classical Water Distribution Networks (WDNs). PAT application may actually represent suitable obtain both pressure regulation and electrical production. This enables one significantly reduce design maintenance costs if compared traditional turbine applications. In this work, the potential hydropower generation was evaluated laboratory tests focused on...

This article presents a novel software tool for the assessments of life-cycle environmental impacts and costs, which is aimed to support decision-making in design phase retrofit interventions building sector. By combining Life Cycle Costing (LCC) Assessment (LCA) calculations functionalities, this allows evaluating long-term trade-offs between economic performance investment projects energy efficiency buildings, while accounting uncertainties input parameters scenarios. A major novelty...

The human-nature connection is one of the main aspects determining supportive and comfortable office environments. In this context, application eye-tracking-equipped Virtual Reality (VR) devices to support an evaluation on effect greenery elements indoors individuals' efficiency engagement limited. A new approach investigate visual attention, distraction, cognitive load performance in field carried out via a pilot-study comparing three virtual layouts (Indoor Green, Outdoor Green...

The use of reflective insulation materials in buildings, for energy saving summer, has been spreading southern Europe. These products are not typical the local building context. There is a lack well-established measurement systems thermal transmittance. aim this article to understand whether material could be effective hot and temperate climate, also compared with other roof solutions. For purpose, we performance without insulation, both installed full-scale experimental near Ancona (Italy)...