Enhancing Sustainable Practices in Adaptive Reuse: Integrating Energy Considerations into Renovation and Design, for Ex Moi Generali Mercati of Turin, Italy.

Increasing concern about abandoned historical buildings has driven architects and heritage researchers to explore sustainable practices in adaptive reuse. The energy efficiency of these buildings is a critical aspect of this issue, especially in preserving their cultural and architectural value. This research estimates that integrating energy considerations into adaptive reuse can improve the sustainability of historical buildings and Ex-Mercati Generali Torino is selected as a case study. The way adaptive reuse is used to promote sustainability in architecture and reduce waste while conserving resources and extending the lifecycle of existing structures is examined in this study. The energy performance of Ex-Moi Generali Mercati will be evaluated and compared across three different periods—1933, the Olympic 2006 renovation phase, and the future design proposal—by analyzing metrics such as insulation quality with U-values and R-values and thermal conductivity along with the effect of architectural modifications on energy efficiency throughout these time frames. To estimate potential energy savings and reductions in maintenance costs and carbon emissions, a cost-benefit analysis is performed, which shows how these factors can importantly improve the overall effect. The research evaluates the ecological and economic benefits of sustainable interventions. The analysis draws attention to the feasibility of sustainable retrofitting for historical buildings and stresses the long-term benefits of these eco-friendly renovations. In addition, the study will suggest practical sustainable design interventions, developed with insights drawn from other theses to streamline the research process and enhance efficiency, that could further enhance the building's energy performance while maintaining its cultural integrity. Another objective is to introduce the active energy system selected for the project, calculate the energy produced by photovoltaic panels, and compare it with the building’s energy requirements, exploring how active energy solutions can be incorporated within a historical framework without compromising its architectural aesthetic. Finally, this thesis will expand the case study’s conclusions by illustrating how energy considerations could be included in similar adaptive reuse projects worldwide, providing a replicable framework for integrating sustainable practices into heritage conservation across diverse regional and cultural settings.