Integrating cost estimation analysis and design strategies in the adaptive reuse of a historical building: the case study of ex-Perotti Barracks in Bologna

This thesis explores sustainable strategies for urban regeneration through the adaptive reuse and partial reconstruction of the Ex-Perotti military barracks in Bologna. The research originates from the C40 Cities Student Housing Competition[1], which served as the conceptual framework and provided the site context and design objectives for the project. The competition’s focus on affordability, sustainability, and inclusive community development inspired the academic exploration of how these principles can be translated into a feasible architectural proposal that meets real-world urban needs. While the competition offered a starting point, the work was developed independently as a comprehensive academic study that combines design innovation with analytical evaluation. The thesis integrates three main components: architectural design, environmental performance assessment, and cost estimation analysis. Through a structured methodology based on the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), multiple façade and construction technologies were compared in terms of cost, energy efficiency, durability, and implementation feasibility. This systematic analysis informed the final technological choice, demonstrating that a ventilated façade system with thermally modified timber (TMT) panels provided the most effective balance between environmental performance, economic efficiency, and architectural expression. The cost estimation not only guided material selection but also established a framework for evaluating the life-cycle value of sustainable construction choices, ensuring that the proposed design remains both environmentally and financially viable. Architecturally, the project combines modular new construction with the adaptive reuse of existing masonry buildings, creating a cohesive and energy-efficient student housing complex. Communal spaces, green roofs, and shared courtyards are designed to foster social interaction and improve microclimatic conditions, turning the former military site into a dynamic educational and cultural hub. Ultimately, this research demonstrates how academic design can bridge theory and practice by integrating competition-driven innovation with cost-informed technological decision-making. It contributes to the broader discourse on sustainable urban housing, showing how adaptive reuse, modularity, and analytical design processes can collectively advance the development of affordable, low-carbon, and socially resilient cities. Looking forward, the framework established in this thesis could be expanded through life-cycle carbon assessment, BIM-integrated cost modeling, and comparative applications in diverse climatic contexts. Future implementations and post-occupancy evaluations could provide valuable feedback to refine the proposed methodology and strengthen the connection between conceptual design, economic analysis, and measurable sustainability outcomes.