A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
Heritage values and thermal comfort in Neoclassical residential buildings of Athens, Greece: Tension or co-existence?
This paper explores how meanings and values assigned by residents to historic buildings, drive or prohibit their energy efficiency interventions. More specifically, the paper examines the possible tension between the residents’ need to improve the sense of thermal comfort while preserving the original features of their house. The focus of the study is located in the context of listed residential buildings in Athens, Greece. The selected buildings represent the so-called ‘neo-classical’ architectural style. Currently, the need of residents to improve the energy performance of the neo-classical built heritage leads to interventions that may jeopardize the heritage significance of the buildings, despite the rigid (if not too restrictive) legislative framework. Semi-structured interviews with residents recruited via ‘snowballing’ methods reveal that there is indeed a tension between the need to improve the thermal comfort during the winter period via the installation of mechanical means at the sacrifice of original features of the building. However, most residents are against the installation of air-conditioning systems on the façade of the building but very receptive to the adoption of photovoltaics and double-glazing windows. In conclusion, despite a few cases in which the façades were dramatically affected by double glazing and external shades, it was noted that the changes adopted by the residents were complying with the legislation in place and the architectural significance of the building.
Heritage values and thermal comfort in Neoclassical residential buildings of Athens, Greece: Tension or co-existence?
This paper explores how meanings and values assigned by residents to historic buildings, drive or prohibit their energy efficiency interventions. More specifically, the paper examines the possible tension between the residents’ need to improve the sense of thermal comfort while preserving the original features of their house. The focus of the study is located in the context of listed residential buildings in Athens, Greece. The selected buildings represent the so-called ‘neo-classical’ architectural style. Currently, the need of residents to improve the energy performance of the neo-classical built heritage leads to interventions that may jeopardize the heritage significance of the buildings, despite the rigid (if not too restrictive) legislative framework. Semi-structured interviews with residents recruited via ‘snowballing’ methods reveal that there is indeed a tension between the need to improve the thermal comfort during the winter period via the installation of mechanical means at the sacrifice of original features of the building. However, most residents are against the installation of air-conditioning systems on the façade of the building but very receptive to the adoption of photovoltaics and double-glazing windows. In conclusion, despite a few cases in which the façades were dramatically affected by double glazing and external shades, it was noted that the changes adopted by the residents were complying with the legislation in place and the architectural significance of the building.
Heritage values and thermal comfort in Neoclassical residential buildings of Athens, Greece: Tension or co-existence?
Koukou, T (author) / Fouseki, K (author)
2018-09-03
In: Conference Report – The 3rd International Conference on Energy Efficiency in Historic Buildings. (pp. pp. 463-471). Upsalla University: Visby, Sweden. (2018)
Paper
Electronic Resource
English
DDC:
720
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