First Stage Researcher (MSCA) for the EU-Project Acta ReBuild - Towards net-zero carbon Facades -...

This position fits in the framework of the ACTAREBUILD EU – DN – project , which provides research and training in retrofit of office building stock in Europe by means a new generation of sustainable materials and building components.

The topic of this PhD focuses on net-zero carbon Facades and the impact of bio based materials for the system design of high performing envelopes for retrofit. The project will be carried out with the joint supervision of Politecnico di Milano (Italy) (prof. Carol Monticelli) and KU Leuven (Belgium) (prof. Jan Wurm) and STU Bratislava (Slovakia) (prof. Mirosalv Cekôn, prof. Jakub Curpek), in collaboration with Schüco.

The overall goal of this research is to develop an approach and subsequently recommendations for the reduction of the embodied carbon footprint of Curtain Façade (CF) systems for offices by integrating biotic and bio-based materials that respect the principles of circular economy. The recommendations will relate carbon savings with technical performance criteria and implications on design, procurement, and maintenance along life cycle of façade (30 years) and will give valuable insights on the impact of bio-based materials, compared to the current ones, to achieve industry targets for net Zero Carbon.

The project is based on the following key objectives:

• Analysing contribution and impact of components and materials of current retrofit façade systems on embodied carbon footprint
• Collating a systematic overview of build-ups and materials for CF systems with relation to Framing, Finishes (Internal & external), Insulation (Acoustics and Thermal) and Sealants (gaskets and membranes).
• Collating a systematic overview of the available bio-based solutions for CF
• Technical appraisal of bio-based solutions with respect to durability, fire, acoustics and building physics in context of European Technical Standards
• Cost-Benefit analysis for substitution of components with bio-based alternatives based on current and potential future requirements
• Modelling variations and combinations of material choices for selected CF systems with reflections on building performance requirements over full life cycle
• Developing a systematic design toolkit for optimizing embodied carbon footprint of retrofit CF systems in relation to building typology, performance and cost
• Summarizing finding in clear recommendations targeted to stakeholders of façade industry

As a PhD researcher your aim is to develop design guidelines for refurbishment, renovation and retrofit of existing commercial buildings and based on multi-parameter modelling along the full life cycle of Facades taking building typology, façade systems and build-ups, performance criteria and materials characteristics into account. The comparative investigations will be based on current mechanical, thermal, and acoustic performance criteria, environmental impacts (CO2 emissions and full industrial impact), and future scenarios. The expected results are the following:

• Insights in critical factors and drivers for embodied carbon of CF Systems for retrofit
• Catalogue of requirements and bio-based materials and components with multi-criteria assessment
• Principles for the performance quantification of CF systems by using building simulation tools in current practice
• Typology of hybrid systems (aluminium, glass, bio-based materials) for curtain walling
• Systematic Approach for assessing the value of substituting components with bio-based alternatives
• Stakeholder-specific recommendations for materials, build-ups and systems to optimize total carbon footprint